San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-23
Recent Corruption Disclos-
wss Driving COP.
Ship On Rocks.
NEED GOOD LEADER
Coming Of Third Party
Sure to Defeat Repub-
8 kcans, Is Belief.

washington, d. O., March a.
For the first time in 90 years-since
the Civil War, to be exact-the Dem
ocratic party will be in a position to
pick its own battle-ground for the ap-
preaching political campaign. Dis
closure Of bribery and corruption,
coupled with the fundamental differ
ences between the reactionary and rad
zeal wings of the party are relent-
lessly driving the Republican ship
of state on to the rocks. Unless
all signs fail this is to be a Dem
Ocratic year, regardless, and the duty
which the delegates to the New York
Convention will have to select a can
didate is trivial compared with the
responsibility which will be theirs in
determining whether the party is to
assume leadership as conservative or
liberal.
This is the settled conviction Of
Democratic leaders in Congress, a.
though they are by no means unit as
to which is the proper course to
pursue. Such men as Representative
FINS J. Garrett of Tennessee, mi
nority leader in the House; Represen-
tatiye John n. Garner of, Texas, and
Senator Shields of Tennessee, are con-
WINGED the party should not foregc
this opportunity to seize the reins
of government as a constructive con.
sentative force, q position it held
for nearly half century before the
Civil War, and which was usurped
and held by the Republicans as q
result of confusion during the recon
struction days.
Have Different Views.
This view is not entertained, how
ever, by such men as Senator Rob
inson, party leader in the Senate, oil
Senator Mcclellan of Tennessee, a:
well Is most of the senator's represent
ing Western states. They feel thu
Democrats should capitalize the dis
cord among Republicans to put for
ward q platform and candidate which
would offer an appeal to what might
be termed the Mid-Western sentiment
about midway between the radicalisB
of LaFollette and the "stand-patters'
of New England.
This, of course, Is the century-oli
fight between the liberals and con
servatives in the party and is no
particularly distinctive but for tn
conditions under which it is bein
pitched. Heretofore, within the mem
DRY Of all men active in party mat
tiers, political exigencies have force,
the Democrats to take a position gen
orally Of negation, as opposed to tn
position assumed by the Republicans
The Republicans have bee nthe con
sentative forces and the Democrats
unable to break Republican solidarity
in that quarter, made their bid fol-
liberal support. The net result ha.
been to put the political reactionaries
who control most of the privat,
wealth of the country, in the Repub
lican camp, while the radicals WHIT
admitted allegiance to either majol
party generally marched with tn
Democrats.
Balance Greatly Disturbed.
This balance has been greatly dts
turbed during the last decade, how
ever, through the growth of lradica
wing within the Republican party
Theodore Roosevelt gave it lif,
when he created the Progressive party
in 1912, and for the first time in six
teen years gave the Democrats con.
troll in national affairs. Lured by
false promises the Progressives, who
have nothing in common with tn,
ulta-c0nservatives save a desire fol
public office, Joined the Harding coali
tion to defeat the Democrats in 1920
They repented of that bargain as soor
as the victory was won and have beer
in almost open revolt ever since. Thu
growing conviction in Washington j:
that LaFollette will lead his "Red
skins" out of the Republican wigwam
this summer and take the warpatt
against both Republicans and Dem
ocrats.
Not Room fer Three Parties.
Students of political science hold
and experience has taught rnat theirs
is not room for more than two ma or
parties in the government of the
United States. When there are three
the two weaker ones fight it out to the
survival of the fittest and the indi.
cations now are that history which
has seen the downfall of the Federal.
lists, Wings, Greenbackers and Popu.
list parties, is about to repeat il.
self.
That is the crux Of the situation
as viewed by Democratic party lead
ers. They are convinced this cam
paign will see three parties striving
for the mastery and, in such event,
almost certain victory for the Dem.
ocrats, providing a standard-bearer is
chosen who is without fear and with
out reoroach." The only question, as
they see it, is whether their party is
to resume control of the reins of gov
eminent through the combination OF
the South with the conservative East
or with the progressive West. The de-
c;sion can be made with deliberation
and calculation rarely possible to a
political party, but once made will
be irrevocable. fixing the destiny OF
the Democratic party for the next %
years at least.