Milford chronicle., 1946-11-22
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1916

DEMOCRATS OF THE Upper South see some
rays of hope in the political situation brought about
by the recent Republican sweep, but their prevailing
view seems to be that the region will lose good deal
more by what has happened that it will gain
Southern Democrats are much more intlu-
ental in determining Democratic party policy than
formerly since the ranks of the northern Democrats
in Congress have been decimated, but they will be
much less important in Congress, where they have
dropped many important committee charmanshlpS'
as we'll as the peakershp of the House and Presidency
pro TEN of the Senate.
1t is argued that for the next two years the Re
publcans will be unable override any OF President
Truman's vetos without the aid of the Southern
Democrats and that this will give the region at bar
gaining power for use in dissuading the COP from
pushing FEPC and anti-lynchng bills which most
Southerners find distastefu But the prevailing opn-
ion is that the Republicans will capture the White
House in 194S in which they will no longer
have to count on the Democrats for aid in combating
hostile President 1t is believed that the COP will
push FEPC and anti-lynching bills at that time, II
not
Election OF Republican President two years
hence may bring policies as to treight-rate equall-
zaton, tariffs and other matters directly contrary
TO the Soutbs desires. Furthermore, the South has
been almost completely ignored in the past by Repub
ican Presidents when important appointments were
made
The argument is being made that the South has
itself to blame for this situation, since has adhered
riedly to the Democratic party.
<SLo&&
THE REPUBLICANS HAVE made good start
toward program for their newly won leadership IN
Congress While it is early discuss the proposals
in detail or consider them more than tentative
approach to the policy which the party must evolve
in its new position in the nation 1t be SAID that
the Republican leaders have measured their own re-
sources and shrewdy Judged the temper OF the Ameri-
can people. Without resort to the spectacular they
have justified several grounds the confidence OF
the great majority of independent voters, as we'll as
loyal Republicans, who restored them to power
twelve days ago.
It is reassurng to note that the first of
the Republican leaders in the Senate and the House
is reduction of Federal government expenditures
This is to be thorough, rather than haPhazard Is
sental needs of Army and Navy are not to be I'M
paired A balanced budget and the beginning OF a
fiscal policy, which contemplates reduction rather
than indefinite suspension of the public debt, can do
much physchologically confidence and buy
ing power the national currency.
Of other proposals the anticipated income tax re-
ducton and bill to restrict Presidential tenure TO
two four-year terms will share popular interest and
general favor The suggested search for labor legs-
lation, which twill be constructive but emphatcaiy
not punitive is also interesting but relatively mean
ngless at this stage of the Party's deliberations
Obviously many divergent views must be reconciled
before the Republicans can present comprehensive
program in this field.
In this connection the Republican leaders who are
busy formulating the party's program would do well
TO invite their newly elected colleagues to the pre-
limnary conferences and listen thoughttully &c
suggestions from those who have recently won the
confidence of the electorate. According to Washing
ton dispatches, the tentative legislative proposals.
were drawn up by relatively small groups of present
members of Congress, leaders, to be sure, and mem
bers experienced in legislative affairs.
1t is doubtless good policy reassure the natior
as promptly as possible the essentials OF Repub
lican policy for the Eighteth Congress, but 1t
more important have that policy formulated on
broad, sound base, with full representation from
those newcomers who made the Republican majoritie
in Senate and House possible
THERE IS A WHALE of big table wit
political pie plates on Capitol Hill in Washington
The Democrats will lose all Chairmanshps of comm
ittees in Congress because the Republicans won con
troll of both Houses in the election. Most Repub
lican members who have served the longest tim
will be elected to Chairmanships.
Senator Vandenburg, of Michigan, will becon
the presiding officer of the Senate in place of Sens
tor Mcclellan. Senator Taft, of Ohio, will becom
Senate leader in place of Senator Barkley.
Representative Joseph MarIin VIII replace Nay
burn as Speaker of the House A lively contest
on between candidates for the post of RepubEca
House Leader. The indications at this time are th
the two leading candidates are Representative Ha
leck of Indiana, and Representative Brown, of Obi
The chances favor Haleck. But if new candidat
continue to pop up there's no telling who may Wi
One Republican Congressman who now ira
behind rises to remark: 'The show is before
starts" And another Congressman said that Il
big jobs-with remarkable increases in salaries f
the winners-will be settled in Conferences attend
by all Republicans who twill be free to pick the be
men. Naturally he prefers himself. l..+
"A meeting of the Senate Republican Steeril
Committee was held on November IA.