The times., 1898-12-21
GENERAL POLITICAL GOSSIP.


The politicians of all kinds have made
a discovery. 1t is that William Mckinley
is one of the shrewdest politicians that
has occupied the White House for good
many years. Even his opponents are
compelled to acknowledge this fact. They
frankly admit that as the situation stands
today the chances are decidedly in favor
of Mr.. McKinleys reelection in 1900.
Conditions may change in the meantime.
but the fact remains. so conservative OBJ
servers declare, that Mr.. Mckinley at the
present moment has the inside track.
Unless the Democratic leaders pull taem-
selves together and decide upon some
plan of action that Is in harmony with
the overwhelming sentiment of the ooun-
try, the Presidential election in 1919 will
probably be a one e-sided affair. 1t Will re-
qure the official count to determine
whether the Democratic party had a
ticket in the field.
"It is not too late. said lending
Democrat yesterday. for our party to
retrieve Itself in the estimation of the
public, but every day of de.ay counts.
The next Pre s!sent:al election is Only a
little more than year away. The Dem
ocrats cannot win by sitting back and
waiting for the Republicans to make mis-
takes. Undoubtedly they Will maks m s.
takes, but they will hardly create su!li-
cient capital to uverturn the Administra-
tion. Aigerism did not prevent the Re-
publicans from retaining control of the
House of Representatives, and it would
probably be difficult to even imagine a
toe ln.. Dam sterlt ttf nnr-txy
is in very dangerous position. 1t
ought to decide on some definite policy
right away. II would be better for it to
oppose expansion out and out than to
keep on wabbiing from one side to the
other"
1t was given out yesterday that Col.
Bryan's recent conferences with Demo-
cratic leaders in the East had been pro-
ductive of some results. Col. Bryans
friends said last night that 1t had been
practically decided by the Democratic
leaders not TO oppose the ratification of
the treaty OF peace with Spain, but TO
make the fight against the expansion pol
icy of the Administration when the future
disposition of the Philippines and our new
possessions comes up for settlement Upon
this subject there is likely TO be wide
divergence of opinion, which may result
in a new formation of party lines. In
the new deal the Bryan men think that
they would stand a show of getting on the
popular side.
The Republican managers are not san
guine of making any material gains in
the old Confederate States by reason of
Mr. McKinley's friendly and conciiiatory
! speeches
"The President" said gentleman who
accompanied him on his late journey
through the South. "unquestonably made
| great hit with the Southern people.
That was made perfectly apparent 20 any
one who was capable of judging. When
we arrived at Atlanta Mr.. Mckinley's re-
cept!on was cordial. but cool. There was
an absence of enthusiasm. But after he
made his speech advocating Federal care
of the Confederate graves the whole scene
I changed The people turned out en- masse
and cheered the President ut every stage
| of his progress II is impossible to de-
scribe the scenes that greeted the Pres!-
dent. Old gray-haired Confederate veter-
/ ans threw their arms around him and en-
1 braced him publicly. II the South should
| take a vote today | believe that Mckin-
! lev would carry nearly every Southern
| State or course 1t IS impossible to pre-
dict what the verdict will be after the
excitement dies out and the people have
! had a chance to cool off. But for one,
believe that Mckinley has made an I'M
nression in the South that will not d4sap-
near and II his party sincerely endeay-
ors to live up to the suggestions ne mas
made YOU will never again see another
| solid south as 1t has been understood In
the past"
Practical politicians OF the Hanna type
however. are inclined to be skeptical re-
rardine future gains in the Southern ter
| ritorv through Mr. McKinley's new de-
parture They are apprehensive of re-
| sentiment among the bitter parusans III
| their party in the North which will more
than offset any gains that may be MADE
| in the South The State elections next
| wear, they say, will furnish a valuaoie
| nointer in this connection A governor Is
| to be elected in the Presidents own state
| of Ohio next FAN. If the Republicans
| should lose the State through the defec-
tion of the colored vote the Republican
national platform in 1909 would probably
be silent on the matter of caring Tor the
graves of the Confederate dead.
trNI
mer consul general at London, and Gen
Harrisons old political manager. is IT
Washington. He says he is out of politics
now and is attending strictly to his pri-
yate business THE people of Indiana,
he said approve of Mr.. McKinley's
Southern speeches. They We're patriotic
and evidently sincere. But political asso
Citations of a lifetime are not as rule
changed in night or a day. The North
ern States will probably have to be relied
upon to elect the next Republican Presi
dent"
Gen. New said that Gen. Harrison woult
not be a candidate for Senator Turpie':
seat in the Senate. Il think" he added
that the chances are rather in favor o
the election of Representative George w
Steele as Senator Turpie's successor. HI
is in the lead and unless a combination
is made against him he ought to be elect
ed. There is absolutely nothing in tbs
talk of Harrison's being candidate. HI
is out of politics for good and has no am
bition to re-enter the field.
1t is interesting these days to observ,
Senator George Frisbie Hoar of Massa
chusetts. and Senator Hale of Maine. il
friendly and confidential intercourse OF
the floor of the Senate with Senator Vest
of Missouri, Senator Caffery of Louisi
ana, Senator Jones of Arkansas, anC
other Southern senators who are oppos
] ed to the expansion policy. There arr
probably no two men in the Senate wh'
have said more bitter and malignan
things regarding the South than Hoa
and Hale.
"I have known Senator Hoar," sait
former Senator Joe C. S. Blackburn o