The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-02-06

IND their origin in the dissatisfaction
of voters at the progress made by the
party in power to improve economic
conditions consequent upor. the war
and handed down TO Mr.. Harung's
party by the Wilson Administration
Some OF the fair minded Democratic
leaders concede the impossibili.y OF
satisfying the popular demands in this
respect. They frankly admit that even
if Mr.. Wilson's party had been con-
tinued in power the chances are that
the conditions existing to-day under
Republican control would have pre-
vailed under Democratic auspices.
Impartial Verdict.
OF course these men are the excep-
ton of the Democratic army. because
il is almost universal Democratic cpin-
ion that general conditions which
make for popular resentments could
rot have been worse il Mr.. Cox had
been elected and Mr.. Harding defeated.
An impartial analysis Of this verdict
does not confirm it.
The fact is that the{ Democratic
party appears to be in rather worse
condition than at any time since the
first of the three nominations given to
William j. Bryan twenty-six years
ago. The only leader really respected
is Woodrow Wilson, who probably APP
preciates the decentralization iii his
party as much as any one else. y the
Democratic party has any policy or
set of policies that have survived the
L - FRY No
years ago the party spokesman in
Congre-s apparently do not know of
it or them.
There is, in fact. quite as much
division of opinion among the so-called
Democratic leaders who are founder
ing around in Mr.. Wilson's abandoned
shoes as among Republican legislators
who fiaunt the badges of non-r3rtisan
groups rather than the emblem of
their regular party.
Democrats Are Divided.
Democrats in Congress and out OF
il are divided over the very issue that
Republicans are and some in addition.
There are quite as many dissenters
over the Wilson international theories
as over the agricultural bloc, the Anti
Saloon League and the bonus project.
In the Democratic party there are
more captains and lieutenants swing
ing the scepter of leadership than
there are in the Republican party;
greater contempt for each other,
wider divergence of individual views.
The whole Democratic program as
revealed by the attitude of the party
in Congress is built OH opposition to
the policies of the Harding Admins
tration. Not single constructive idea
has been considered by any OF the so
called Democratic leaders with the
possible exception OF the concert of
action in the Newberry case, when
every Democratic vote was recorded
against the Michigan Senator.
The Democratic minorities in both
houses OF Congress are attempting to
make it appear that they have been
instrumental in driving wedge be-
tween the President and the represen-
tatives OF his party on Capitol Hill by
supporting the groups harassing the
latter The fact is that the Demo-
cratic Senator'S and Representatives
who will seek election this autumn arc
Just as much afraid of the bloc as arc
their almost hysterical political rivals.
situation I'm the south.
Southern Congressman who have
little to fear from the Republican op-
position under ordinary circumstances
realize only too well that the agri-
cultural bloc is paradoxically non-par-
tisan and bipartisan. Some of the
Congressman from Southern States
who never experienced any difficulty
in winning a nomination, which is tan
tamount to election. are now facing
opposition from candidates that ignore
party ties Just as Thomas Watson OF
Georgia. radical, did in seeking cleo
ton to the Senate.
Recent reports from the South tend
TO show that the Watson method of
seel<ing election to office on an indie
pendent platform or at least one more
closely identified with the agricul-
tural interests than the regular party
is making substantial Roadway in
other States This is why many of the
Democratic Senators and Representa-
tives are quite as eager to sacrifice So
called party principles to gain the sup
port OF influential agrarian groups in
their respective States.
The Republican national orgsniza-
ton. despite the temporary apostasy
Of it's Congressman seeking the sup
port of independent groups in the
coming election, is in much better
shape than the Democratic opposi-
tion
It is certain to hold on to the execu-
tire department and Senatorial wing
OF Congress for the next three years.
Most of the patronage rows have been
disposed OF and more than two-thirds
OF the debt LETT over from the last
campaign has been wiped out.
Chairman Adams Getting Help.
John j. Adams. the chairman of the
Republican National Committee. is re-
ceiving help from all factions in adj
ministering the affairs OF the organi-
zation. His leadership is recognized
and respected. There exists no in
ternal trouble in sthe organization.
President Harding and his supporters
are in control and are certain to con-
tlnue for at least the remainder OF his
term.