The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-08

washington, Decline Moses episode in the United States senate Is really e reflex of the general republican demoralization. To the progressive republicans--that is tho insurgent group-he represents an opportunity to pay off a grudge, not merely a personal grudge be- cause of his wisecrsck referring to the LaFollette- -Brookhart contin- gent as "sons of the Wild Jack ass." but to the whole administra- ton column.
 The standpatters have never spared the insurrectionists when they were sure of their power. Following the 1924 election 1t may be recalled that they suggested reading out of the party practically the whole group who were sym pathetic with the elder LaFollette and they welcomed with joy the opportunity to eliminate Brookhart from the senate. Of course they did not bother such senators as Borah, Hiram Johnson, or Couzens, for these men were too strong Tn personality and powerful indivi- uuutty tO 61ho GathCs Indeed, when they needed the other fellows they remitted the sentence of banishment.
 All of this left an abiding sense of injury and a vendetta that they are now visiting on the unfortunate head of the senior Senator from New Hampshire. The latters job as president pro tenn of the senate really amounts to very little. He is supposed to fill in merely when the vice president of the United States Is not there to preside. But the vice president can and does designate any senator he wishes to substitute for him on the dais, so that Moses position Is actually an honorary one, supposed to be useful in impressing his home folks with the high regard in which he fs held by his colleagues.
 Of course, such 0 situation would be impossible if the president of the United States was the actual and not merely the titular leader of his party. A strong man in that position invariably dominates the congressman of his own faith. With the club of patronage and the lash of party spirit he is able to bring enough of the recalcitrant ones into line to effect his purposes. This, however, presupposes an ex- pectation that the republican party is to continue in power. The argur ment for a united front in such a case Is practically irresistible. In the present situation, however, the main body of the republican dele- gations in congress have no ex- pectation that MT Hoover will con- tinue as president beyond the present term. And therefore mo- body Is tearing his shirt to preserve the appearance of unity, which Is genera1ly regarded as so essential hefore national campaign. Hence we have in addition to the circum- AAnce of the Moses fight the re- Jection of the presidents choice, John Q. Tilson of Connecticut. for the post of republican leader in the house. And even Tllson Is so little regardful of the possibility of em- barrassment to President Hoover Involving the prohibition issue that h1 announces his purpose of offer ing an amendment to the constltu- ton turning the liquor problem back to the states. And this Is done notwithstanding that 1t Is the declared purpose of the republicans te sh-sh the prohibition issue in their coming national convention and in fact so far as possible all the way through the campaign.
 It Is symptomatic along the same lines that most of the criticism of