The Next Senate

The complexion of the next Senate of the U. S. is a matter of less conjecture than the complexion of the next House. The House will be what the voters make it in November. The Senate will remain two- thirds as it is now. The factor of variation in the latter is a maximum of 33 seats. The present composition is 51 Republicans, 43 Democrats, 2 Farmer-Laborites. In reality the division is about 42 Democrats, 42 Republicans and 12 Radicals. To have a majority (49), either of the major parties must elect a minimum of 7 more regulars than it now has from the 33 Senators up for election.

Of the Senators whose terms will shortly expire, 17 are Republicans, 15 are Democrats, 1 is a Farmer- Laborite. Of the 15 Democrats, only 3 do not come from the South--they are the two Walshes (Montana and Massachusetts), and Senator Adams (Colorado). If the Republicans should carry these three States and Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina--ah, what a land- slide !--they would have a working majority, provided they did not lose any of the seats they now hold.

The Democrats, on the other hand, will have a better opportunity in the Republican ranks. Two of the pres-ent Republicans, Elkins of West Virginia (by retirement) and McCormick of Illinois (by failure in the primaries) will not be in the race. The Democrats claim to have chances of victory in ten states-- New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Illinois, West Virginia, Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey. Cum grano salis, the Democrats have still the better opportunity.

Two contests will be of special interest. The Farmer-Laborite Magnus Johnson is running to succeed himself. His vote will make evident how his countrymen from Minnesota are impressed with him as Senator. In Colorado, the two Senators are running against each other. Senator Phipps (Rep.) is running to succeed himself. Senator Adams (Dem.) was appointed a year ago to succeed the late Senator Nicholson. This was an ad interim appoint- ment until an election should be held. The term of Senator Nicholson does not expire until 1927. But Senator Adams decided not to contest for the remaining two years of the Nicholson term. Instead he will vie with Mr. Phipps for a full six, and let the small fry scramble for the crust.

However the details may go, either party must have a run of luck to get a working majority.