Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-09
Serious Republican Divisions.

On the record made at this session of
Congress the republican party must ap-
peal to the country in next years cam
paigns. If that record is good the party
may hope for Endorsement at the polls: If
not. 1t may expect to be defeated. What is
the present promise?
The President in his message recon-
mends a step in the direction of currency
reform. 1t is a short step. but. short as 1t
is, there is republican opposition to it In
both houses of Congress. 1t is not opposed
In the interests Of any other particular
measure. Some members of the opposition
have measures of their own, but others
take the ground simply that nothing can
be done at this time. and that therefore
even discussion of the subject is useless.
A number of prominent republicans are
quoted as predicting that nothing will be
done
The President very earnestly recommends
the ratification of the treaty annexing the
Hawaiian islands. A measure of similar
import was Endorsed by President Harrison,
and good majority of republicans favor
the project But there are some prominent
republicans who are opposed to 1t and
there are rumors that they are preparing
TO make an energetic fight against annexa-
ton either by treaty or by resolution of
Congress. Success for such opposition Is
altogether unlikely. but events are still
to disclose the real extent of the repubi-
can division on the point.
The President, in plain terms, indorses
the civil service law. The second days de-
bate in the House brings forward as an
opponent of the law a republican member
from tie Presidents own state whose de-
sire to attack the law is SO keen that he
ignores the subject under debate and pre-
cipitates another discussion. His remarks
are applauded on the republican side, and
of course on the democratic side He
promises to resume the discussion at the
first opportunity, and expresses the opinion
that material notifications of the present
application of the law will be secured.
The republicans are divided on the sub
ject of Cuba. Some stand with the Presi-
dent and urge that a trial be given the
Sagasta reforms" Others favor action
friendly to the insurgents at once.
The republican party in Congress- there
fore. is at present divided on every i'm
portant proposition upon which action is
expected by the country. No recommended
ton by the President is unanimously in
dorsed. Does this argue a do-nothing ses-
sion or only such results as carry with
them the scars of bitter factional fighting?
Does any republican leader think that his
party can carry the next House on any
such record as that?
1t is early yet The session has but just
begun. But factional fighting is something
that may not with safety by any party be
permitted TO go very far. And just now
republican divisions are not confined to
Congress In number of states the sit
uation growing out of faction contests is
a very serious one, threatening permanent
injury TO the party. There is plenty of
work. indeed. for the peacemaker and the
Republicans would do we'll to call him in
at once. A do-nothing session of Congress,
ard demoralized republican organizations
IN important states, will inevitably lead to
defeat next year.