New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-14
THE CONTEST FOR CONGRESS
REPUBLICANS CONFIDENT OF HOLDING
THEIR MAJORITY.
GREAT CREDIT FOR THE CHANGED OUTLOOK
GIVEN TO PRESIDENT MKINLEY.
inv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

fBY TELEGRAPH To THE TnIBUNE.l
Washington. June 13.-Congress district conven-
lions arc fairly In season. and incumbents who
have not yet been renominated. but desire to be,
looking forward with more or less anxiety and
trying to forecast the result In their respective dis
trcts In q considerable number Of cases conven-
lions have already been held and In them most OF
the sitting members who were candidates havo
bean renomnated or course. IN some Of the dis
tIfcts which yet to hold conventions there Is no
reason to doubt that tho incumbents will both be
renonInatcd and reelected they having no opposi-
ton in their own party and none that can be re-
garded a. dangerous formidable in tho opposing
party. It is a noticeable fact that many Repub-
Hcan Representatives who only short time ago
were, or professed be- at least Indifferent as to
whether they wero renomnated or not are now ex-
cecdngly anxious to stand as candidates for re-
election.
This Is by no means difficult 70 explain or under
stand. Three months ago tho political outlook
seemed most forbiddng and unpromisng to many
OF the Republican leaders In Congress. and none
CO I'D be found among them who would express
a hope that the Republicans could elect ma
jority OF the next House of Representatives In
fact that the prevailing feeling among them
recently n month ago. Since that timo tho
skies have been growing brighter. and even tho
less hopeful among the Republicans who observe
most carefully the drift Of political sentiment and
attempt to forecast results now express confidence
that the Republican atorty In the House or Keep
resentatves will be AT least largo in the LV1th
Congress in the TNth.
For this gratifying and satisfactory change In
the situation and prospects impartial observers In
Washington say that the Administration and more
especially President Mckinley, Is entitled TO large
share of the credit. The same thing Is also said
in behalf of tho Republicans In Congress. They
have stood man in support OF the Admins
tration's foreign policy and of the vigorous prose-
cution Of tho war. They have also been consid-
crate In thor treatment OF men OF opposing par
ties. majority OF the latter except on one or
two occasions, notably on the passage OF the war
Revenue bill, have cvnced praseworthy ana
patriotic desire 10 sink partisan politics so far as
necessary war legislation was concerned' but there
arc others, including some Of the moro prominent
Democratic leaders who appear TO nave Deen
chiefly governed from the outset BY desire 10
seize every opportunity 20 gain partisan advan-
tage at the expense OF the Administration ana Its
supporters as well as Of their own patriotism.
There have been enough such men, and they nave
been active and noisy enough to do their party
good deal OF injury and. In the opinion OF some Oh
tho most sagacious Democratic politicians in WASH
ington have destroyed already any hope or pros
pect that ever existed of Democratic majority III
the next House of Representatives
absolutely confident of a majority, and several
candidates for the Speakership had already begun
to lay wires for the caucus nomination. There was
much talk then in favor OF the nomination OF Nj
German as a candidate for Congress in the Y IN
MARYLAND District. He could easily be elected, IL
was thought and his elevation to tho Speakersnip
task even moro easily performed. But Democratic
confidence has given place TO Democratic opeless-
ness and the shrewder leaders almost UNANIMOUSLY
agree since the Oregon election that me very Dst
from returning bigger majority 10 the next House
| than they have in the present one