The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-12-01
The Pulse of the Nation

their lives" And the Springfield Union
(Ind.) insists that 1.-The advisability OF
the change should be considered entirely
on the basis of merit without the in
lection of the issue Of party expediency.'
The Boston Transcript (Ind. Rep.) un.
Qualifiedly endorses the abrogatton of the
rule Of seniority, both in the senate and
the house because unless it is adopted
party dfsintegration at Washington will
continue and that sense of party spon-
sorshfp' in government, without which nc
party is fit to govern, will grow weak in
stead of stronger. It likewise is the opin-
ion of the Indianapolis News Qnd) that
1.-The proposed change is very decidedly
in the public interest, and would tend to
make Congress more efficient, or at least
less inefficient" On the other hand, the
New York Times (Ind. Dem.) points out
that change at this time would affect
Senator's such as Borah and LaFollette
and says that is the real trouble" in the
opinion of Mr.. Mccormick, adding that
mot by any device can you lead men who
refuse to be led. Whatever friction is
felt under the seniority rule would
probably be increased by the change.
Chairmanships might easily be attained
by compromises and deals and mediocre
ty get the better of distinction and old
experience. Our legislative program will
be enacted when our Senators agree in
stead of fighting like cats and dogs" And
the Philadelphia Public Ledger Ond.
Rep.) feels the implied age limit threat
may work havoc" citing that many Of
the leaders of the senate would be af-
fected.
In the opinion of the Baltimore Sun
Dem.) the real motives behind the sug-
Oh ha l.
cred, inasmuch as, while 1.-The proposal
always has much merit in 1t, it is rarely
mentioned in flush and lush Republican
days. The cool and unchastened way in
which it is now put forward does not
indicate much more than that the lead
ers realize that if they are to have even
the shadow of leadership left to them
they must at least pretend to make con-
cessions to the undesirable from Iowa
and other points west soon to come in. "
While the advice lis WISE" the Brook
Ign Eagle Und.) doubts it will be &C
cepted because established customs and
venerable traditions are hard to over
come" In addition, the New York Post
(Ind.) thinks the letter ''is less impor-
tant as indicating change in the
spirit Of the next congress than as fore
casting another struggle for control OF
the Republican organization. Unless a
change in that control means also a de-
cided change of policy the Republicans
win be n danger of losing the election
of 1924 by default"
Because many senators trim to stay
in the senate" the Richmond News
Leader Qnd. Dem.) takes the position
that seniority should be completely aban-
doned, and holds that roughly speaking,
not one committee chairman in ten can
be considered the best equipped member
of the senate for the duties assigned
him" It should also be conceded, the
New Haven Register Ind.) says. "the
country needs this reform and that is i'm
portant. The party needs it. and the
welfare Of party, after all. underlies a
great part Of our policies" The Buffalo
News (Rep.) believes that 1.-The thing to
do is to make such readjustments as the
plainly indicate are de-
sired by the majority of the people The
Republican party is called upon to put
its house in order. If it does not meet
the demands SO clearly expressed by the
people there need be no speculation as
to what win happen In 1924