Milford chronicle., 1924-12-12

THE FIRST STEP toward the restoration of
party authority and responsibility in Congress
was taken says the National Republican, when
the Senate Republican caucus, upon the initia-
tive of Senators Ernst of Kentucky; Edge, Of
New Jersey; Reed, of Pennsylvania, and Spen-
cer of Missouri, voted to exclude from the Re-
publican caucus and from official recognition as
Republicans, the Senators who have joined the
La Follette-Socialist party and in the last cam
paign did all within their power to prevent Re-
publican control of the executive and legisla-
tive departments of government.
No question, of course, Of "reading" any SEN
ator "out of the party" was involved. That is a
phrase used foolishly out of place in this con-
nection. The Senate majority in this action
merely recognized an established fact, namely,
that these senators, of their own volition, had
left the Republican party, formed new party
and sought the defeat of the Republican party.
1t is a condition so clearly fixed in the minds Of
the American people that it seems astounding
that any politician should seek to confuse it by
prOnunciamentOs about the right Of independent
thought and action within the Republican party.
That has not been questioned It is of course
matter very different from the proposal to admit
to the Republican caucus and give Republican
recognition to members Of political parties other
than the Republican party. AS Victor Berger, So
cialist congressman elect from Wisconsin, says,
there is just as much reason for admitting Berg
er to the Republican caucus as for admitting La
Toilette, Wheeler or any other leader of the La
Follette-Socialist party which fought the Repub-
lcan party openly during the recent national
campaign.
A,n4 IN Gtro
venge" for this consistent and courageous ac-
tion by the Senate Republican caucus, the La
party senators, along with
other senators in sympathy with them, may make
trouble for the administration and the Republi-
can party. This, of course, these senators have
been doing heretofore and will continue to do to
the limit of their power the difference since this
action was taken being that their power for
will be minhnized During the
last session Of Congress these senators united
with the Democrats to elect Democratic chair
man of the Senate Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce. They dictated the personnel
Of special committees with the threat to the
President pro tempore Of the Senate that unless
be complied with their wishes in making these
appointments, they would put their slate /
through with the votes Of the DemOcratic-La (
Toilette combination from the floor. The temp
alton to unite with an insurgent faction Of a
majority is strong with any legislative minority.
t is supposed to spread confusion in the ranks +
# the enemy. In this instance, however, the
Democratic minority ultimately made far more
ronble for the Democratic than for the Republic
an party.
The Democratic temptation to unite with a
bird party group. definitely segregated by ac- t
ion of the Senate Republican caucus, will not It
e strong. This small group will have to operate
n its own merits and its own voting strength,
either Of which is formidable. When the mem Q