Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-04-21
Buying Reelection

+ HE vote OF 26 to In n caucus Of Re-
publican Senator'S adopting rcso-
luton declaring that the Senate should at
this session pass a soldiers bonus bill and
that the Republican members OF the Finance
Committee be requested to report such I;
bill within reasonable time. would be less
significant OF Republican purpose. if ii were
not that recent canvass OF the Senate re-
vealS that the bill, as approved by the
House. would pass the upper chamber by
comfortable majority if the vote Nerc
now taken. The twenty-six favorable votes
in the conference fall far short OF Repubi-
can senatorial support, had all tho members
cf that party been present at the confer
ence and voted, not to mention the consider
able number OF Democratic Senators known
10 favor the proposal
The action OF the conference, however,
shows very clearly that the Republican Sen
ators have determined to make the bonus
an issue between that body and the White
House. The President has plainly expressed
his d!Sapproval OF bonus Legislation with
out provision in the bill for financing the
scheme The hill as passed by the House
makes no such provision, and as. under the
Constitution, all revenue measures must
originate in the House. 1t would seem that
tho Senators have made up their minds 10
ignore the Presidents objections and pass
Whether the President will content himself
with his power 10 veto measure to which
he has repeatedly urged objection as sub
versive OF the public interest. or will assert
his right to party leadership and make use
OF the executive lash. as in the case OF his
interposition in the House fight TO prevent
the reduction OF naval personnel, to defeat
the Senate program remains to be seen. The
Senate IS exceedingly jealous of its preroga-
tives, and il is more than likely that White
House leadership there would be more OBJ
stinately resisted than in the lower branch
Consideration for the public welfare had
no part in determining the success OF the
measure in the House II was supported
purely on the grounds of bid for the SOL
der vote at the expense OF the taxpaying
public, without regard for the effect that
such raid on the Treasury would have in
disrupting national finances and retarding
business recovery Members OF that body
set themselves right with their soldier
constituents by voting favoraby for the
scheme. That terminated their interest in
the bill The same considerations will in
fuencc tho vote in the Senate. Thirty-four
Senators are seeking reelection this fail
They want the soldier vote TO insure their
election. They are willing for the Prcsi-
dent 10 assume the responsibility OF vetoing
the measure. In fact, the membership OF
both houses considers that the easiest way
out OF the annoying situation. They blame
the President in the first instance. for all
OF their troubles in connection with ne
proposal because OF lacl; OF courage to an
nouncc in the outset that he would veto
the measure, whatever its form. for the very
sound reason that il means the imposition
OF burden too great for the country 10
sustain az this crucial period in its strug-
giles 10 regain normally.