New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-19
A DISTRACTED MINORITY.
PLIGHT OF THE DEMOCRATS IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
LnY rELEGR,PH TO THE TRIBuNE.l

my TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBuNE.l
Washington, June ls.-Publc attention mas peen
so much occupied recently with war news anu wa
rumors that the distracted and unhappy CONDITION
Of the Democratic minority in the House OF Kep-
res,ntatives has almost escaped notice The mat
ter has now become serious. however, t"n' !"
deserves at least passing mention. Four fhon''s
ago the Democratic leaders were NJ the heau VI
an aggressive and confident BODY or Followers MOI
one of whom would have been willing to pay even
the smallest premium to be injured against parry
defeat at the November elections. on the con-
trary they felt absolutely certain that Dei'o
cratic majority would control the next house Va
representatives. and many Republicans priVatey
agreed with them. To-day all is changed Inc
Republicans are confident and the Democr"'S ''
almost hopeless. -, :,
As good evidence Of this as could reasonably De
demanded is the fact that Democratic 'o"s'es'
men who have been renomnated or VINO uesto
to be renominated and reelected are already De-
sleg!ng Democratic Senators who are opPoseu ="
Hawaiian annexation and threatening to hnous'e'
against IT, and lmporng them to monty INC"
opposition and not to attempt 10 ooSti ~ 80
passage OF the resolution. Senator White. Vi an
eornia is understood 10 be one OF the me" ~
whom the most urgent and earnest Appeals are
being made II H. strongly represented " IN
that as chairman OF the Democratic CohsreSSlV',
committee his active opposition TO the ha"aliah
resolution assumes official character Oh VIM"
no protest or disclaimer by himself can o'Nes' ~
and that n persisted In II VIII eh"d"eo' "
rain the prospects OF a number OF Democratic can
,,4,os Tor congress next fall This and otner
similar ARGUMENTS II is understood. have peeh Au
dressed TO Senator White by Democratic Oo"s'N''
men who voted for well as by some WIN 80
against the Ncwlards resolution. 4hey s'''
fesr the effect on their party OF having II p".'' "
an attitude of opposition to annexation anu "p
- 10 h.liove that such Will be the result OF
so,,tor Whites course What will be the enec'
- tbei- rcurcsentations on his mind and atutuue
''n', nn,rse Ncssrs Bailey and McMn and me
Democrats VINO agree with them on an ma, %
- ,,oi,v and discipline anxious ana uetet-
tior ss,irs. Hawaiian annexation. and It
seems likely that ihey VII! sucIceu IL. .r,.i,, n
They have been busy since wednesday uy mS -, ~
max. lie miserable for Democrats who voted iGr
the NeNlauts resolution Inc laller; n,, 80
not appear 10 be IN me least solly aU indgna.
did althogeh some a. them express great luu- ~
ton on account Of what they regard as inpe' M
criticism. Iu" not result ''la ''vt ~ ..i rbi~b
discussions and aggravaie the bitterness WHO"
,visf among the Democrats ,,,
snofh.y re,ent occurrence which produced Ike
the party split on the biil to provide Una,
their homes may vote for Representatives. More
thau hall the Democrats present ana Young W.
a,5 I@1oncal 9v Mr Bailey ana his followers
nai reputation OF fundamental lcmocratlc prin-
Gusht 50 stuohory and YIN sq9n su Kiss rb Ig
the latter ncas sure in 1891 they were wrong In voting
urged win az much energy and bitterness since
d., bil! Was passed as II was before the vote was
the truth IS that those Democratic leaders who
WEI, most vigorous In urging the country mo war
and in criticism, the Administration and the Re-
r.bll@an majority IN Congress because OF lack 81
20 drive the country into war when it was unpre-
pared. IN The nope or expectation OF reap'g soihe
partisan advantage have be,om" hopeiessIy 1e"i %
cred They have not been ahi" 10 Keep SIP WIN ,e
march OF events even for short time The people
quickly penetrated the motives Of these Leaders ana
naturally ceased 10 have commence IN el,her tnei.
f4gacify patriotism. and the consequence is tha