Evening star., 1924-08-19
|G. 0. P. RANKS CUT
BY COLTS DEATH
Failure to Call Special EIec-
ton Means Appointment of
Democratic Successor.

The death of Senator lie Baron B.
Colt of Rhode Island may have an
important bearing on the selection OF
the next Chief Executive of the
United States. in the event that none
of the candidates for the presidency
or vice presidency receive a majority
Of the votes of the electoral college
and Congress is called upon to choose
the man who is to be President for
the next four years.
Senator Colt was a Republican. He
was candidate to succeed himself,
and the Republicans were banking
upon his e-election-even though the
Democrats insisted they had a chance
to defeat him. Should Democrat be
chosen now to I'LL his unexpired term.
ending March 3 next, even though a
Republican might be elected for the
long term beginning next March, 1t
would tend to make more sure the
election of Gov. Bryan of Nebraska as
Vice President by the Senate If the
electoral college does not elect a
Vice President. And should the cleo
tion of a President be thrown into
the House because of the failure of
the electoral college to make a
choice, the Vice President chosen by
the Senate would undoubtedly be-
promoted to act as President, since 1t
is conceded the House would be hope
lessly deadlocked.
DcfcctiOns Are Expected.
The political makeup Of the Senate
before the death of Senator Colt was
81 Republicans. 43 Democrats and 2
Farmer-Labor Senators. If the cleo
tion of Vice President should de-
volve upon the Senate it has been
considered probable that Senators La
Toilette of Wisconsin. IAadd and
Frazier of North Dakota, listed now
as "Republicans." and Senator's Mag
nus Johnson and Shipstead OF Mime
sofa, Farmer-Laborites. would join
with the Democrats in voting for
Gov. Bryan as against Gen. Charles
G. Dawes-providing. of course, that
those were the two candidates for
the vice presidency submitted to the
Senate for election. Such an align
ment would have made a tie in the
Senate-4S votes to 4S votes. 1t Is
true that some of the other members
of the La Toilette group in the Sen
ate might also be found voting
against Dawes and for Bryan. thus
cinching the election for the Demo-
cratic nominee.
But the selection of Democrat In
the place of Senator Colt would give
to the Democrats an additional vote
and if only those five progressives
named should join with the Demo
Gratis. the vote would then be 49 to
A. in favor of Gov. Bryan.
Must Cali Election.
Under the law, Gov. William s
Flynn Of Rhode Island must issue
the call for special election Tor
a Senator to succeed Senator Colt Tor
the term ending March 3, 1925. IT
is considered likely here that he will
issue such call for an election to
be held November 4, when the gen
eraI elections take place. Nomina-
tions for the Senate in Rhode Island
are not made until September 80, In
party conventions. more than
month away. There may be candi-
dates for both the short and the
long terms named then, or the same
candidates may be put up for the
short and long terms.
should it be impossible for any
reason to hold the election to fill the
unexpired term of Senator Colt be-
tween now and next December, ther
the Governor, who is Democrat
would appoint Senator to serve
until an election should be held, and
of course, would appoint Democrat
Two years ago the Democrats in
Rhode island elected a Democratic
Senator, Gerry; Democratic governor
and member of the House. The
Republicans elected two members OF
the House. 1t has been understood
that Senator Colt had a real fight to
he coming election.
johnson in Power.
Senator Colts death leaves vacant
tho Craftsmanship of the committee
on immigration of the Senate. In line
for promotion to this chairmanship
are Senator Sterling of South Dakota
and next to him, Senator Hiram John-
son of California. Senaor Sternns Is
now chairman of the committee on
post offices and post ROADS. Fur.ner.
more. he goes out of the senate al
the close OF the coming short session.
It is not believed that he will seek the
Craftsmanship of the Immigration
committee during the short session.
In any event, Senator johnson
would be assured of the chairman
shin in the new Congress, under the
seniority rule that prevails. The Cal
ifornia Senator is tremendously IN.
tpreSted IN IHiHliS l oliNh
the Japanese problem In his state
He stood strongly for Japanese ex'
clusion. His elevation to the chair.
manship of the Senate committee
would seem to block pretty enectu'
ally any attempt to open up IN the
near future, the question or japanese
exclusion.
Senator Johnson's attitude toward
the Republican national ticket Is still
waiting definite statement. In some
quarters it was suggested that the
craftsmanship of the immigration
committee, now within his grasp
might be added reason why he should
remain within the Republican fold
and not jump to the La Toilette
ticket. For should he make such
Jump, he would not be regarded al
Republican in the make up OF the
senate committees and would forfeit
his seniority rights.