The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-07
THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS.

NE OF the notable features OF recent po-
tca history in the United States is the regu-
- arity with which the two great parties have
aternaed in control of the House of Representatives
The of either party in Presidential election
has been followed by the success of the opposition in
the Congressional elections two years later No mat
ter how great was the majority that carried Presi
dent into office, he has had to confront hostile Con-
gress before his term over.
The record of these alterations is giving the fusion
leaders great deal of satisfaction at this uncture
With no important issue which to make the cam
pagn, with definite policy to propose to the peo-
pie any question: and without competent states
to direct and control the organzatony~the oppo
sition to the administration this year would be for
lorn indeed if it were not for belief that the people
willing to make change simply for the sake OF
change and that they voted against Harrison's adj
ministration without cause in 1890 so they will vote
against that of Mckinley this year.
The hope is not without considerable basis of
The oscillations in politics have been
treme and no doubt of the causes which led to
the changes in the voting of the past exist to-day.
large number of people vote for President in the
pectation of attaining office, or of getting some
direct personal gain, and being disappointed they be-
"soreheads." In the ensuing election these
classes either antagonize the administration else
remain inactive during the campaign and discourage
the efforts of others. Moreover, the party out Of
power can always promise more than the party i'll
power has performed, it thus catches large proper
ton of the votes of dissatisfied people. These ele-
ments of opposition exist to-day as much as in the
past, and they constitute of the dangers against
which the Republicans must be guard in every
Congressional district.
While among Republican workers there should be
Indifference to the disconents OF the disappointed
office-seekers and rainbow chasers who followed the
leadership of Mckinley four years ago. there are
abundant for believing they will be far less
numerous and less dangerous than such classes have
been in the off year campaigns OF the past The pros
perity promised by the Republican party in 1896 has
been so splendidy fulfilled by the results of the
Dingley tariff and the maintenance OF the gold stan
dard; the whole conduct of the administration has
been in every way so helpful all sections of the
Union and all interests of industry; and the tact and
patriotism of the President himself has been SO
cilatory to every class of people, that it is certain
the number OF persons discontinued with the admins
tration is nothing like great that of those who,
having voted for Harrison for Cleveland for the
Presidency, turned away two years afterward and
either voted against the Presidents party or did not
vote at all.
The people, in fact are no longer in mood for
political oscillations Change for the sake of change
is not attractive it We have now expert
mented with free-trade tariff and with an assert
ment of silver purchase acts and the experiments are
sufficient for this generation. Discontinued people
there are, and kckers and soreheads in every Con-
gressona district but they will not be numerous
enough defeat administration candidates in many
places In the meantime Republicans should resolve
to take chances, but carry the canvass as Wig
orously if the foe dangerous as it thinks
itself