Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-25
THE FALL CAMPAIGN,
Why the Congressional Committees are
Slow Getting to Work.

why the Congressional Committees are
Slow Getting to Work.
WAITING ToR DEVELOPMENTS BEFORE MAxrxa
UP THE ISSUES on WHICH THE BATTLE WILL
Be FoUoHr-rwo GREAT QUESTIONS: THE
Tariff AND THE ELECTION BILLS.
The congressional campaign committees will
necessarily be slow this year in insugurating
and pushing the work they have in hand. II
VIII not be possible for them to proceed with
anything like system or intelligence until the
precise issue upon which the contest Is
to be made is determined, and that
cannot be done while Congress is still
hesitating about so important q matter a.
the national elections law. OF course there il
the general charge by the democrats that the
republicans have been wasteful Of the public
money and the general justification offered by
the republicans that while the appropriations
are large the money will so into channels like
pensions and public improvements from which
the country will get liberal returns. But, as q
rule, national congressional campaign II
conducted on something more specific than
that, and at present, with two great questions
stiii awaiting settlement at the hands OF
the majority-the tariff and the control of ma
tlonai elections-there is much concern felt as
to which, or whether both, will by some enact
ment of law mark the dividing line between
the two great parties when they square for
action next fall.
THE ORIGINAL INTENTION
was to fight the battle on the tariff issue alone.
That was clearly indicated by the choice that
each party made for chairman of its commit
tees. The tariff being essentially BUSH
ness issue, to MIR. Belden by
the republicans and to Mr.. Flower
by the democrats was committed the task Of
to determine whether or not the Mckinley bill
should be accepted as the proper settlement of
the tariff question. The selection in each case
was recognized as an excellent one. MIR. Belden
was known as a highly successful and accom-
plished man of business, believing sincerely in
protection, and having had large experience in
practical politics in the empire state of the
Union. Put up to match him, and, if pos
sible to overcome him, was Mr.. Flower
another business man of national reputation
as thorough low-tariff reformer as Mr.. Bel
den was a protectionist and with as large and
as successful experience in politics
as the important occasion re-
quired. 1t seemed, indeed, as if at last
there was to be national campaign on great
economic issue, and conducted by two leaders
admirably fitted by education and practical
experience and temperament for their posts.
IT DIsARRANGEp DEMOCRATIC PLANS.
Upon the sudden, however, the republicans
VI
though not it would seem for the purpose Of
the tariff issue, and Immediately halt was
called. The democrats thought it best
to 60 no further with their plans
until the full significance of
the new move made by their antagonists was
plainly revealed. 1t might be necessary for
them to face in this new direction and
If SO all arrangements about a bat
tie on the tariff ground would naturally
have to be abandoned. And so it is
that no activity is observable on the part OF
either committee. The republicans have yet
to decide just what part the elections bill shall
play in the campaign whether as a law to be
applied or as measure they simply approve
of, and until that decision is reached the DEM
ocrats can do little.
DEMOCRATIC ADVANTAGE.
1t is pointed out by the democrats that in the
coming contest they will have an advantage in
the way they will be able to distribute their
best speakers. Fortunately for them, they
claim. with but one conspicuous
exception their congressional leaders
are all assured in advance of their
return here, and hence can go to the relief of
their friends in any part OF the country who
may be pressed closely. Mr.. Mills has five
thousand democratic majority behind him at
home, aud need not raise his voice
there in the interests of his return
without effort on his own part As
a campaign speaker he is highly effective and
in great request He is absent now in Missouri
addressing large audiences at every appoint
ment and will be heard in all of the debatable
territory between now and the day Of election.
Mr.. Mcmillan of Tennessee is another excellent
stumper, who is SO very popular at home that
he afford to leave his case there in the hands
of his friends.
THE STRONGEST OF THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKERS
in the House will, on the other hand, be kept
busy at home looking each after his own in
dividual fortunes. Beginning with Mr.. Reed
each one has hot contest on his hands. The
junior leader from Maine is great force in his
district as elsewhere, but there, as elsewhere,
also. he encounters fierce antagorisms. No
doubt is entertained of his reelection, but it is
conceded that he will have to 60 home and
fight for what he gets.
In MIR. McKinley's district democratic ma
jority now rears its head, and the hardest OF
hard work will be necessary to overcome it.
This will keep the eloquent Ohioan closely at
homo during the whole campaign. Mr.. Cam
mons district is SO close he is obliged to make
a canvass every time, and Mr. Burrows will
hardly be able to leave Michigan for any length
Of time.
However the issues may finally be made up.
the campaign must now be a short one. 1t will
not last over six weeks beginning the middle
OF September, but it promises to be rushing
one from start to finish.