The times., 1898-02-07
THE CAMPAIGN OF '98.
Republicans Are Getting Ready to
Make a Vigorous Fight.

Make Vigorous Fight.
1t transpires that the visit of NJ. j.
Bowling, secretary of the. national
league of Republican clubs. TO Mr.. Nc
kinley last week, was prearranged. He
called at the request of the President TO
talk over the campaign, which is
almost here--the fight for supremacy in
the Fifty-sixth Congress. No one
realizes more than the chief magistrate
himself how essential it is for the Re
publicans to win next fall if they ex-
pect to accomplish their purpose in
1900-the reelection of Mckinley and
Hobart
Gen. Grant was the last President to
succeed himself, and many wise states
men declare that the time has passed
when any man can help, while in the
White House, making enough enemies
in his own party to thwart his
ambition for two terms consecutively.
The clubs of the league in all the
large cities in the country will give Lin
coin Day banquets generally ON the
18th of this month, and il is the inten-
tion to secure men of national reputa-
tion as speakers for these dinners. The
speeches. it is expected will be given
wide publicity in the newspapers, and
will constitute the opening gun in the
Congressional battle.
In the meantime the Administration
is awaiting with considerable interest
the result of an important preliminary
skirmish that will soon be settled in the
extreme Northwest. Oregon viii hold
State and Congressional elections in
June, and it will be important as fore
shadowing the intention of the bal
ance Of the country. in the cam
paigns of the fall. Oregon is
a close State. although it was car
ried by the Republicans in the Presi-
Dental election by few thousand
votes. Two Representatives in Con-
gress will be elected, and their capture
by the silver men would be regarded in
the Congressional elections to follow as
a blow at the Republicans.
The silver men are already making
preparations for the combat and will
leave no stone unturned to win. A
legislature which will elect a Senator
to fill the vacancy from Oregon is also
to be chosen, making the election more
important than in many other States
this year. There was a deadlock in
the legislature last year and Senator
Mitchell failed of re-elertian Mr.. Cor
bett was appointed To the vacancy by
the Governor but his case is before the
Senate.
In order that the Republican MEM
bers may have ample time to campaign
in their district for re- election. Presi-
dent Mckinley is in favor of an early
adjournment of the present session of
Congress. In this regard he is in ac-
cord with Speaker Reed and the other
House Republican leaders, who do not
conceal their ardent desire to force an
adjournment by the middle of May or
1st of June. The prospect of carrying
out this program is not bright 1t
would be- but the Senate does not be-
long to the Republican machine. Much
depends upon the fate of the Hawaiian
treaty. II that is beaten in the Senate
its advocates will undo1btediy try To
bring about annexation by means of
ordinary legislation. and right there
trouble win sail in and engage board
for the season
But the chances now are largely in
favor Of the ratification of the treaty
by the Senate, SO that it will never
reach the House in the shape of ordl-
nary legislation. It's advocates now
count siXty-one votes for ratification
twenty-five against it ana three doubt
full, with friendly inclinations towards
the treaty. The sixty-one Senators for
the treaty are made up of the forty
three Republicans, nine Democrats and
nine Populists and silver Republicans.
As but sixty votes are necessary TO
ratify, the chances for ratification are
particularly bright.
There will be a fight in the House
over the river and harbor appropria-
ton bill. Speaker Reed is opposed TO
a large appropriation, and has directed
the committee to keep the river and
harbOr bill down to FIVE or six millions
and to provide for few. if any. new i'm
proyements. Nearly all the members
are anxious to secure improvements for
their districts. and the Speaker will
have the fight of his life if he succeeds
in keeping the total down to the fig
ures named by him. Many leading Re
publicans believe that the House will
break away from Mr.. Reeds control
when this bill comes up for considera-
ton, and that amendments win be
adopted that will swell the total to
twenty or thirty millions.
1t has been practically announced
that the House will not waste any
time considering a currency reform
bill. While the President. Secretary
Gage. and the monetary commission
are anxious that such a measure be
passed by the House. Speaker Reed is
understood to hold that it would be a
waste of valuable time. as 1t would
lead to debate in the Senate and its
sure defeat in that body.
SERIOTTS JEVEE COLLAPSE