The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-26

Joe Bailey. OF Texas, the accredited
Democratic leader In congress. is now
over In West Virginia telling the people
Of that state how unnecessary II was
for the government to issue those war
bonds. Having learned that the war.
which ne thought would last q year or
two when ii broke out, was fought to
finish In a hundred days, he is now ex-
planning all about II In the light OF &C
complished results. and cheerfuliy say
ing: II knew IT.
II will be remembered that Mr. Bailey
was very active last spring In hamper
ing the administration by loud demands
for instant recognition Of the Cuban re-
public Discovering that President
Mckinley. with the advice OF the navy
and war departments. was quietly but
actively preparing for war by procur-
ing such munitions and equipment as
could be obtained abroad. this brainy
young Democratic leader began howl
ing Justify for war: nothing less than
an instant declaration of hostilities
would suit him. Being informed that
the navy was short OF ammunition and
that every days delay meant much for
the country's chances for victory. he
saw only an opportunity to embarrass
the administration in Its hurried prep
arations, and he and his fellow dema-
gogues only shouted all the more Justify
for war Demo~- ats Of known loyalty
and patriotism, like Senator Morgan.
of Alabama, quietly expressed their
confidence In the president. and await
ed his action. The coterie OF partisan
followers OF Bailey continued to harass
the administration long after they knew
that war had been decided upon.
These are the Democrats who are now
proclaiming that they forced the adj
ministration to declare war" We have
one Of these unpatriotic members ac-
credited to this state, and he is daily, If
not hourly, repeating what he. and
each one of his hearers. knows to be
absolutely untrue, when he says 1--WE
dragged the administration into the
war"
Mr.. Bailey's task as leader Of the
Democracy has not been easy. He op-
posed the annexation of Hawaii and un-
dertook TO solidify the Democratic vote
in congress against the measure. Being
only partly successful in this. he en-
deavored 10 have his party in congress
bind itself to abide by caucus rule on
congressional measures Ia this effort
he was turned down by Gen. Joe Wheel
er This aroused Mr. Bailey's anger
He had no idea of enlis,ing and going
TO the front. His patriotism runs in
dlfyeren. channels, Gen. Wheeler was
al the front. however, and Mr. Bailey,
being utterly devoid of that kind OF
patriotism himself, saw an opportunity
t. strike Gen. Wheeler while he was
absent from his congressional district
The WHY Texas politician proceeded 10
write "A circular letter inyeighing bit
terES against Wy GeeiST Tor MS OPPOSE
ton 10 the caucus scheme, and urging
his constituents to defeat him for the
congressional nomination. These lat
ters were indus,riously circulated
through Gen. Wheeleg's dis;ric, during
hls absence, and Mr., Bailey calmly
awaited the deneuement 1t came on
September l.. when. AZ Huntsville. Ala,
Gen. Joe Wheeler received the unani-
NOUS vote os the nominating conver,-
ton. ana the Republicans promptly in
dQrsed him. The Democratic leader
from Texas will find fighting J0e Wheel
er occupying his old seat when congress
eonvenes, and WALL. no doubt. extend
his cordial congratulations ~ the hero
II tao wars II would De interesting
however. 10 learn Congressman Wheel
er's private opinion II Congressman
Bailey.