Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-10
When Republicans Fall Out.

Senator Simeon D. Fess of Ohio and
Senator William E. Borah of Idaho
both stalWart supporters of President
Hoover in the campaign, are at each
others political Threats. Senator Fess
has made public letter bitterly assail-
ing the Idaho Senator for his failure to
support Mr.. Hoover's farm program.
Senator Borah, with much heat, has
replied that he wears no mans collar,
and that he did not abdicate his right
to vote as his conscience dictates on
legislation when he gave his support to
Mr.. Hoover.
Mr.. Boral1s right to vote as he sees
At and as his conscience dictates is
Unsuitable. The legislative branch Of
the Government under the Constitu-
ton is charged with the duty Of enact
ing laws. The individual legislator,
theoretically at least, must use his own
best Judgment when he votes. There
has grown up, however, system of
party government in the United States
which demands measure of party al
legiance even from legislators. There
must be cohesion or chaos.
When the special session of Congress
was determined upon it was expected
that the so-called Hoover plan of farm
relief would be written into law. There
was q demand that Mr.. Hoover state
specifically such plan so that 1t might
be followed. The most specific pro-
nouncement by the President, however,
was his denunciation of the so-called
debenture plan. For that plan Senator
Borah and twelve other Republicans
voted, joining with all but four of the
Democrats. These Republicans disre-
garded any suggestion that farm relief
should be a party measure. Some Of
them wear the party label lightly. But
while the party system of Government
obtains, Republicans or Democrats
who desert when party measures are up
for consideration will continue to be
subject to criticism.
The wisdom of Senator Fess' attack
ON Senator Borah and the other Re
publicans who voted for debenture may
be questionable 1t can scarcely fail to
increase q feeling of bitterness already
too manifest In the upper house. 1t
may aid In forcing permanent coali-
ton between these so-called insurgent
Republicans-Mr. Tess has dubbsd them
pseudo Republicans-and the Demo-
Gratis which will hamString the admin
istration from its very beginning.
The Democrats hailed the idea Of a
special session of the new Congress. 1t
was their hope that something would
turn up" to blast Republican success.
They are chuckling now over the divi-
sion which has arisen in the ranks Of
the Senate Republicans. Nothing could
be more opportune for them. Last No
vember, following the national election,
Democratic hopes were at a low ebb.
The Republicans not only elected q
President by a tremendous vote, but
also increased their lead in the Senate
and the House. The Democrats were
left divided and without an issue.
Whether they will be able to make a
party issue Of the debenture fight, or
whether such an issue will aid them, re-
mains to be seen. But, largely under
the leadership Of Senator Norris OF
Nebraska, who calls himself a Repub-
Ican although he supported AL Smith
for President, the Republicans Of the
Senate have been divided on one of the
most important pieces Of legislation
that will come before this Congress.
Surely the Democrats are to be con-
graduated.