Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-29
1t Has Seriously Embarrassed the
Democratic Leaders.
HE is A FACTOR IN NATIONAL POLITICS
CleveIand's Friends Think It Was
a PGt-Up Job.
CAREER OF MORTON AND HILL

plicates things for the democratic party as
national organization. The party leaders
are no more cheerful over Hills nominate
after sober second thought than they were
at the first announcement Of the unwecome
news The situation Is more perplexing,
more annoying and more depressing the
more they think 1t over, though, of course,
they do not give public expression to this
There are indications that Mr.. Cleveland
and his friends believe that 1t was all
put-up thing for Mr.. Hill to get the nominal
alton, just as he gothic senatorship, as If
1t were forced upon him.
The fact that the convention was a throw
down for Mr.. Cleveland does not greatly
concern the democrats who make up that
party In Congress. In fact, that Is the only
feature of it that at all relieves them from
the general feeling of disgust. If they could
get Cleveland and Hill off together on some
desert isle and let them fight it out between
themselves for the rest Of time, feeling of
great contentment and happiness would
come over the party leaders generally
Hate Both Cleveland and Hill.
They hate both Cleveland and HILL and
their sadness over the ascendancy of Hill is
not on account of the discomfort 1t may
be supposed to give the man in the White
statesmen, as a politician put it, have a
dark brown and bitter taste in their mouths
These very recent developments have add
ed fear to their dislike of Hill. A good
many calculations for the future, also, are
thrown into confusion. They regard Hill
as the evil genius Of the party. Just when
they thought they had got rid of him he
stands right in their path, his cold, blood
less countenance driving them to distrac-
ton. while his right hand goes through
that little knifeplay which they so much
dread. They have too much at stake to
wish mis- defeat, but they wish between
their teeth that he were in the depths of
the deep blue sea or where he might play
politics with the "Old Boy" He Is made
the star actor in the present political
drama, where comedy and tragedy are
strangely mixed.
Little Plans Disturbed.
This all disturbs little plans and calcula-
tons that were being laid. Gentlemen who
have been engaged in laying traps for the
democratic nomination find that they must
quit operations until they see what the
outcome of the New York election is In
figuring on this result they are confronted
with two very unsatisfactory alternatives.
First, If Hill is defeated, the loss of the
mpire state a. this time will render the
democratic nomination in SO a thing of
doubtful value. Second, IL he Is elected, he
will have the first call in the national con-
vention. This is not pleasing situation
for d patriotic ana AMBITIOUS democrat to
con template.
The question rises, which is best for these
several ambitious statesmen, and, there
fore which is best for the party, that Hill
should be elected or defeated-that is,aS far
as it lies with democrats themselves to set
tie the matter AS some look at 1t, Hills
ascendancy will mean the triumph of
politicians methods over principle, and the
complete restoration of the machine. From
the point of view OF others, it will be a
humiliation of themselves for being beaten
at their own game. For the. great mass of
the party 1t will mean an abandonment of
their policy and a surrender into the hands
of the one man who stood out against all
the rest for a policy which should be radi-
cally different.
In u Had Dilemma. -..-
They cannot shout for Hill and the in
come tax at the same time, nor can they
yield themselves into the hands of Hill
without regulating both the Wilson and
the German bills, ana acknowledging the
merits of an entirely different method of
tariff reform. These, apprehensions may
seem entirely premature and unnecessary
to those in New York who do not think
Hill can be elected governor; but 1t Is Hill
in national politics, and not Hill in New
York, that the fraternity of democratic
statesmen are thinking about. To use Hills
favorite expression, ,theyf might wait to
cross that bridge WHEN they get to it. but
it is the pons asinorIm, ,aGd they have to
prepare for it on the way. Since one of
two things must happen-Ifill must either
be defeated or electet-and either is likely
to prove embarrassing to- the party, the
situation is not exactly cheering.
Morton and Hill in Washington.
There is a very great difference between
the careers of the two men, Morton and
Hill, in Washington. ASS Vice President,
Morton occupied a position which offers no
opportunity for action. The principal duties
of the office are to preside with dignity,
and show sufficient knowledge of the
rules of the Senate to get along without
gross error. In this very passive position,
however Mr.. Morton had opportunity dur
ing his term to show himself strong party
man, with the greatest respect for the
wishes Of his own party leaders. 1t is i'm
possible for any man to understand the
Senate rules until he comes to know that
there is nothing in them to understand, and
that they do not mean anything except that
the Senate may do as it pleases-when it
can. Mr.. Morton had some very important
rulings to make during the force bill fight
and ne did by direct method what parlia-
mentary crcumlocution invariably leads to-
decided with his party and the majority of
the committee on rules.
He never finched from the responsibility
put upon him, and throughout that bitter
fight, though always a partisan, he was