The age-herald., 1898-01-14
POLITICAL GOSSIP
 FROM THE CAPITAL
Special to The Age-Herald.

| the horizon of 1900.
 | He feels confident that democracy will l triumph in both branches of the govern
 ment at that time. The little cavalry lead | CT has been fortunate in the past in his l predictions, so lucky has he been in many of his prognostications that Judge Cox, of Tennessee calls him the Sage of Whats | to come."
 | I found General Wheeler in his commit tee room yesterday figuring out work he wants done on the Tennessee river. After
 discussing the probabilities of the river and harbor bill for this session, the general
 took glance over the political field it appears to him at the beginning of the new year, and ventured to put them in
 the form of an interview for The Age-Her- aid.
 "The indications now point strongly to very large democratic majority in the next house." he said land the triumph of the principles of democracy in the presl- dential election two years from next No vember.
 Mot a single promise which secured re- publican votes in 1896 has been realized Laborers are unemployed and wages in many of the great manufacturing indus tries have been materially reduced, while
 the prices of many farm products have
 reached lower average than has been experienced in half century. The ad- vance in the price of wheat, caused by famine and blighted crops in foreign coun- tries, is only temporary. It will be fol-
 lowed by increased acreage all over the
 world, and very low prices will be the re- suit. The Dingley tariff bill has aroused indignation in localities vital to the sue
 cess of the republican party; and it has not strengthened it in any places at all
 essential to republican success. The people of the great west, without regard to party feel that they have been deceived and
 cheated by a false pretense of international
 bimetallism, and, as so ably stated by Sen
 ator Chandler, nothing but open and un-
 qualified declaration in favor of silver coin
 age will save the party from overwhelming
 defeat in the great northwest.
 "The conservative civil service reformers
 stand amazed and appalled, to see their the
 ories scoffed at and a return to the spells
 system demanded by leading republicans
 who are understood to be highest in the
 confidence of the president.
 History is constantly repeating itself.
 "The middle of Grants term, in 1874, wit
  the middle of Hayes term, the result was similar, and the result was. the same in the middle of Arthur's term, in 1882; liar rison's term, in 1890, and Cleveland's term, in 1894
 Assuming Tilden's election in 1876, we have had the same revulsion in every pres idential election for a quarter of century. Grant, republican, in 1872; Tilden, demo- crat, in 1876; Garfield, republican, in 1sSO Cleveland, democrat, in 1884; Harrison, re- publican, in 1888; Cleveland. democrat, in 1892; Mckinley, republican. in 1S96 and it requires no prophet to foretell that dem ocrat will overwhelmingly sweep the coun- try in 19OO
 Revolutions in sentiment and in matters which the people deem necessary to their advancement never go backwards. They may be pent-up and retarded for time like a stream choked by debris and drift, but this temporary halting only adds to their vigor, energy and power. "In 1796 Jefferson, and in 1924 Jackson, were beaten by the same elements which defeated Bryan in 1896, and this resistless sentiment secured their election four years after their defeat. In 1856 the slavery ques- tion was scoffed at as a defeated issue;
 
 element of strength of the successful party. "The democratic party stands today more united and determined than at any former period. Their devotion to the best inter- ests of the people is being understood by the great mass of voters throughout the land, while their republican opponents are hopelessy divided upon the questions of currency and silver, the tariff, appropria- tions, civil service and the division of of- fees and spols.'
 Alabama rivers are in sad need of inn provement, and a strong effort will be made by Representative Bankhead to get a liberal appropriation incorporated in the river and harbor bill when the same is re- ported to the house. The committee on rivers and harbors, of which MT. Bank head is member, is holding daily meet ings and this bill is being considered. "We are going to try and secure an ap- propriation of $500 900 for the improvement of the Warrior and Bigbee rivers to Mo bile. Whether we can get it through the committee or not am unable to say. We certainly need it, for the rivers are both in an unnavigable condition. An appro- priation will also be asked, and think secured, to deepen the channel in Mobile bay. It was originally proposed to have the channel 2S0 feet broad, at the top and bottom. It was constructed, however with width of 2SO feet at the top and 200 at the bottom. This makes it impossible for two vessels to pass each other or for vessels to turn around in the channel with out getting stuck in the mud. As the chan nel is thrty-five miles long, this will be
 seen to be of some importance. We shall make an effort to have the Warrior and Bigbee rivers put under the contract sys- tem." HAROLD EVERETT CLAY