Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-05
What the New York Senator's
Friends Say of Him.
NGFFOBE fHE ADMINISTRATION LEADER
Nor is He Making Up for Benefit
in His State.
A PARTY PEACEM y Il ER

Spec ulation about the real meaning ard
probable effect of Senator Hill's visit to the
White House shows that the public insists
rpcn attaching some Importance to IL. The
scope of the talk is wide, ranging from the
question of personal reconciliation TO that
OF how the episode may influence the future
fortunes of the democracy.
Two of the numerous views advanced are
freely criticised by the friends of Mr.. Hill.
The suggestion that the senior New York
Senator is to become the administrations
leader on the floor of the Senate they re-
pudiate outright. The time for an arrange
ment like that has, they say, gone by.
Such an overture might lave been wise
and timely eighteen months ago, and it is
asserted as matter of fact that the PresI-
dent was urged to take the step. II was
pointed out to him by one of his most
trusted advisers that the estat hshment of
friendly relations with MIR. Hill would re-
suit advantageously all round. Mr.. Hill
was In agreement with the administration
en- both the tariff and the financial Gues-
tions, and this would make it all the easier
for him to work in harmony with, and
even actively champion. the administra-
tion's plans. The President declined the
suggestion, and. instead, sent nominations
to the Senate which provoked the warmest
hostility of Mr. Hill. Now, the Hill men
believe the situation in the Senate Is such
that the New York Senator could not, II he
So desired, respond TO negotiations OF TINS
tenor He stands for his own views, and in
doing so has put himself upon an individual
responsibility which could not advantage
ousIy TO anybody concerned be merged at
this time in the floor leadership. He will
continue. his friends say, in the path he
has marked out, regardless of all consid-
erations except those relating to a sound
public policy.
The New York Situation.
60 far as the situation n New York
state is concerned the Hill men declare
that the Senator In an effort to strengthen
himself there would not move in the direc-
tion of the President. In their opinion the
President has now New York following
whatever. The regular organization of the
party is already securely under MIR. Hills
cor troll. while the men who supported the
Fairc child-N heeler movement last fall have
permanently broken with the President
because Of his refusal to come to their
sistance. They held that in lighting Hill
they were continuing logically and right
fully the a1ti-Snap campaign, begun in the
winter of'1S2. But the President made no
sign to either side, and by his passivity, as
the Hill men declare, offended both sides.
This. according to the Hill estimate. re-
duces the Cleveland men in New York to
the federal otfice-nolderS, who are taking
no part in politics.
Alter diSpo5ng thus of these two inter-
predauons pps upon the White House epi-
sole, the RiII men tn smselves suggest that
the visit may have been designed to have
a still broader effect than one relating
merely to the fortunes of individuals.
What objection is there. they ask, to look
ing upon Mr.. Hill as party peacemaker?
A Party Peacemnkcr.
The time has come. the friends of Mr..
Hill assert, wnen chickering's within tie
ranks of the democracy must cease. Dis
coura gemant Is widespread, and complete
Generalization threatening. Mr.. Hill be
Heves in his party. and insists that by
good mana cement it can be put into the
field in good shape FOR the next national
campaign. But the prime necessity is
union. Democrats must get together, AMI
stay together. And SO he does what he
can for the general party good to inausu-
rate this most essential ORDER of things.
No two democrats have beeil farther apart
than the President and himself. The cul-
minatfou of their differences came last
fall. when Mr.. Hill. as his partys candi-
date for governor at home, was left ex-
posed To the fire of men who. claiming,
the Presidents friendship, insisted that in
opposing Mr.. Hill they were acting in the
Presidents behalf. Strong appeals were
made by democratic leaders all over the
country for some public expression or
manifestation of interest by the President
in Mr.. HtlTs campaign, but there was no
response, The feeling now is that, even
had a response been made, SO great was
the dissatisfaction OF the people with the
democracy no benefit would have accrued
to Mr.. Hill. But the Presidents silence
deepened the resentment of the Hill men,
and the two.New York leaders seemed to
he now hcpeIcssly divided. 1t is more than
the unexpected, therefore, that has hap
pened. The apparently impossible has ac-
tually taken place.
HiIrs Action Approved.
The friends of Mr.. Hill approve of his ac-
tion, viewed either from the standpoint of
an acceptance merely of an invitation op-
Grating in official life polite command
or from the standpoint of a wise leader ex-
hibitng disposition for party peace and
willing to go all honorable lengths himself
to help bring that peace about. They be-
leve, too, that his action Will not only adj
vance him in public estimation, but serve
as well as an example likely to be followed
by other party leaders.
The leader who longer holds out on any
personal score. and hinderS the re-establish-
ment OF good feeling and cooperation
against the common enemy, viii merit, the
Hill men say and be likely to receive Sc
we're party condemnation.