Evening star., 1924-05-25
BY GOULD LINCOLN.

AS the uay OF the DlOc come
|" and is the party govern
l ment system in this country
fading into history? Is the
government to operate through the
farm bloc, the manufa cturers' bloc,
the prohibition bloc, the anti-prohi-
bltion bloc and other groups repre-
Senting particular or special inter-
eSts? Is old-tme party allegiance
which in common parlance means
teamwork-going into the discard?
Recent happenings have given rise
10 such speculations. The Congress
is in name a Republican Congress-
with a majority of Republicans in
each branch. But the Repu blicans
have found themselves so split into
groups that the party has been un-
able to function. A Republican Presi-
dent has urged upon Congress plans
for retrenchment of government eX-
penditures and for tax reduction.
What has been the result? The Con-
e'ress has added to the peoples bur
denS in new expenditures more than
$4,000, ,00O,0 600. including the soldiers
honuS which was vetoed by the Pres
ident, but passed over his veto by
rhe votes of the Republican party in
both houses.
With regard to the taxes the Re
publican administration put forward
- plan for reduction. commonly
known as the Mellon plan. But a
coalition of Republicans and Demo-
Gratis upset this plan, and the Demo-
cratic compromise plan was finally
adopted.
Democratic Situation.
The situation with regard to the
Democrats is very little different
The only real difference being that
the Democrats do not now hold the
administrative branch of the govern
ment.
There are groups within the Demo-
cratic party, just as there are within
the Republican. That is one reason
why the Democrats are expecting
such a battle over the selection of a
presidential nominee in Madison
Square Garden next month. When the
various outstanding candidates for
the nomination are mentioned, it is
a common occurrence to hear those
discussing the candidates declare,
He can't be nominated because the
farmers of the west would oppose
him." or "He can't be nominated be-
cause the 'drys' would rise against
him. or He can't be nominated be-
cause the ku KluX klan would not
stand for it, And the Democrats are
industriously seeking for candidate
who will be acceptable to all the
various groups in their. own party
and in the country.
Stronger Than His Party.
President Coolidge will be nomi-
mated by the Republicans at Cleve-
land-not because he is the choice of
all the various groups in his party,
but because he has great majority
of the delegates to the national con-
vention. 1t is a fact, however, that
President Coolidge is far stronger
with all the groups throughout the
country than is the Republican party.
In fact, Notwithstanding the drubbing
he has received on the soldiers
bonus, taxes and other matters from
the SO-called RepuDilcaH congress,
he is declared by many Republicans
TO be the only real asset left to the Re-
publican party-their only chance to
win a victory at the polls next fall.
In the opinion of close observers
of the political situation and of in
luential members of Congress, how
ever, the party system of government
is not doomed to fall. History is
only repeating itse&f, they point out.
Conditions analogous to those exist
ing today were found in the decade
from 1850 to 1860. In those days
there were many groups and many
PARTIES. 1t took a great fssue-the
issue of slavery and secession-to
amalgamate these groups and to