New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-18
THE FIGHT FOR CONGRESS
POLITICAL LEADERS ABOUT TO OPEN
AN IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN.
DEMOCRATS CASTING ABOUT FOR SUBSTANTIAL
IssUE-REPUBrLcANs coNrIDENr-rwo

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONT IDENl-l"O
SIGNIFICANT INTERVIEWS.
[Br TELEGRAPH THE rnrBrNEl
Washington. Aug. 1.-THE war OF bullets hav-
ing ended. political generals have begun to pre-
pare for the biennial campaign which Is 10
culminate In the great November battle OF bal
lots upon the result OF which will depend the
control OF the House OF Representatives during
the following two years and Of the Senate DUR
ing four years a still longer period from and
after March g. 1899. Some work has already
been done by the Congressional Committees OF
the Democratic and Republican parties. re-
spectively. but II has attracted little attention
and excited less interest throughout the coun-
try. The condition Ct affairs il row TO he
changed and active preparations to that end
arc already in progress
The Republican managers naturally and justly
realize that much more than Usual Is at STAKE
in the impending conflict. The two years 10 be
covered by the LVIth Congress Will be memorable
ones In the history OF the United States. and
that body will he required to deal with new and
momentous as we'll as exceedingly intricate
and difficult problems upon n wise. practical
and patriotic solution OF which will depend the
welfare Of millions Of people. as we'll as the
honor and dignity OF the Nation. Legislative
questions arising from the peaceful annexation
0! Hawaii and the forcible acquisition or terri
tory from Spain as well as from the pledges OF
the United States to pacify Cuba and require
the establishment OF a reign OF peace law ana
order therein, must be met and settled; the war
legislation Of 1895 and the manner in which IL
has been carried into effect by a Repuoiican
Administration which VIII remain In power
until March (. 1901. are 10 be reviewed. DIS
cussed and defended. With hostile partisan
majority in either or both branches OF Congress.
that Administration would And its hands tied
and it's plans thwarted at every turn.
DEMOCRATIC PLAN APPARENT.
Already it has become evident that such Is
the purpose Of the real and nominal leaders OF
the Democratic Popust combination. II by any
means they can obtain control OF the legislative
department OF the Government. Secretary Kerr
Of the Democratic Congressional Committee
frankly ad nits 1t in an interview published IN
The Evening Star OF to-day. wherein. outlln-
ing the issues OF the campaign from partisan
point Of view. he says
The Revenue bill, of the Republican party
will be shown TO have been failure. as 1t has
failed 10 raise even rs much revenue as the
Wilson bill. while 1t distributes the burdens OF
taxation very unequay over the country. The
War Revenue bill is an iniquitous measure. tax
ing the plain people OF the country while IT
leaves those who enjoy the benefits OF accumu-
lated wealth practically untaxed"
Mr. Kerr was not frank as Messrs Bryan.
Bailey and Bland have been In opposition to
garnerlng the fruits Of the war; but In another
respect lie WAS. when. In reply to question as
10 whether the silver issue would again be
brought to the front. he said
IT is TO he front. and will remain there until
IT is settled. The financial system Of the coun-
try must he reformed before we can again en-
joy real prosperity. know Of no business men,
manufacturers or other employers Of labor who
are making money. They will not be able TO do
so until we have another financial system. The
Democratic party Is true to the Chicago plat
FORM and the necessity for that platform was
never so clearly seen as to-day. am unable to
find any Democrat who stood with his party on
that platform who has any objection to II now,
and do find MANI Democrats who refused to
uphold IL two years ago who are anxious TO sup
port II now.
TALK WITH REPRESENTATIVE HULL
Representative Hull. chairman Of the Execu-
tive Committee Of the Republican Congressional
Committee discussed the proba BILE issues Of the
campaign with greater frankncss than Mr. Kerr
did. perhaps because his views I'm respect to
then were clearer and better defined He has
just returned TO Washington after a fortnight's
absence. half OF which he spent In Iowa and
half in Illinois He is careful and expert
onced political observer OF excellent, judgment
and his views respecting the situation and the
trend OF public sentiment In these two great
representative States are Therefore entitled to
great weight. Among other things Mr.. Hull
said
In Iowa found q bright outlook both ma
terially and politically The farmers In that
State vii! have a fine crop. and everywhere I
went found the people in good spirits. The
newspapers. without regard 10 party affiliations
are giving the Administration n great deal OF
praise. At Dies Moines. Iowa. the leading DEM
ocratic paper announced its belief that Mckinley
Is nearer the hearts OF the people than ever
before
What issues are being made prominent" Mr.
Hull was asked
There are no issues Both parties there are
praisrg the Administration. OF course he
Democrats Will scrape up some issue later. but
| do not know just what they will advance. |
suppose they will endeavor to critlcse the
subordinates OF the Administration In their con-
duct OF the war. without especially criticising
the Administration. They will probably keep
the silver Issue 10 the front out there. but IL
will be In a haf-hearted way. They Will do
that. OF course They don't know what else TO
take up as an issue. l don't believe they are
pinning their faith on 1t. or that they care about
It any more.
"A the talk heard In Iowa Is about the war
and the policy 81 the Government. The
feeling Is very general that we should keep
everything have taken. I had letters yes
torday from some OF the leading men In Iowa.
in which they referred to the foreign policy that
should be pursued by the Administration. They
do not know what to do with the Philippines.
but they all opposed 10 giving them back to
Spain OF course. the feeling is that X the in
surgents there were a class OF people who could
establish and maintain government they
should be given control OF the Islands. but the