The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-10
HOPE THEY HOLD THE HOUSE.
ADMINISTRATION CIRCLES HAVE
NOT YET CONCEDED DEFEAT.

Things at Washington at Midnight
Look as Though the Republicans
Hold the House by Small Major
ity-Cabinet Members Not Inclined
10 Discuss the Uncertain Situation.
COntrndicted Reports of Some
Early Republican Victories.
Washington Nov. AT midnight there
IS every reason to believe that the Repub-
hcans will have small majority in the
next House. Last night the indication
all pointed to probable Democratic VIC
tory, for the Republicans had lost heavily
in the states reported. But to-day's re-
turns show Democratic losses in unex-
pected places, and the net result is fav-
orabe to the Republicans.
In administration circles the significance
OF yesterdays elections is discussed with
carefully expressed 'if." Secretary
Gage comes out frankly and declares that
he is not fully satisfied by the informa-
ton at hand that the Republicans have
no actual majority in the House 1t is
true, he says, that some very encouraging
dispatches from the West were received
at the White House to-day, which the
President exhibited at cabinet meeting.
Some of them were contradicted by later
reports So that 1t is difficult to base
an intelligent opinion on a result that has
not yet been fully ascertained.
If" said he, "the returns carry out
the claims which are made by the Re
tl,
glorious vindicatioE of the policy of the
administration, for it is a very unusual
occurrence for the party In power TO carry
the House during an off year.
Under the circumstances I would prefer
to wait until l am convinced that we
have won the control of the House before
proceed to comment upon the natural
effect of yesterdays election. I might say
something which would sound considera-
bly, out of tune if ii should turn out that
the Democrats have captured the House"
Postmaster General Charles Emory
Smith is one of the members of the cab
met who seems to be confident that the
Republicans have not only secured abb
solute control of the Senate, but he is
equally confident that the Republicans
have sfsall but safe majority in the
1ouse He Is unquestlonably the most
astute politician in the official family of
the President, and he does not hesitate to
express his sincere belief that yesterdays
election was an emphatic vindcation of
the strong, courageous and practical pol
ley of the administration.
Yesterdays election" said Postmaster
General Smith, Suggests the thought that
the people of the country are
willing to trust the administration
to take up, consider and dispose
of the great national problems which now
confront us. 1 regard the result as a
complete vindication of the administra
ton. It also brings up the thought that
which renders it all the more remarkable
when you stop to consider that it is the
first time since Grants administration that
an election held midway in an adminstra-
ton has not gone against the party in
power. Many people have forgotten with
what regularity the party in opposition 10
the administration has continually con-
trolled the House in off years.
Another important result of yesterdays
election" continued Postmaster General
smith, was the pricking of the Populist
bauble in the West, as was shown in Ne
braska, Kansas and other parts of the
West and also by the fact that the sound
money Democrats in the East went back
TO the Democratic camp 1t likewise Illus
trates that the thinking people of the
country are disposed to give the present
administration a fair opportunity to
work out difficult problems which
are bound to arise in connection
with the recent war and the expansion of
territory These questions originated un-
Ier tnls administration, and naturally the
present administration is better qualified
70 carry out the projects now under way
ana meet the demands of the occasion than
an opposing party not familiar with all
we details of the subject. Much of this
important legislation will have to be con-
SlueFed by the next Congress, for the COM
ms session will only last three months,
ana most of the time will be required to
ueaI with the annual appropriation bills
ana other measures of a pressing nature.
l hardly look for any consideration of the
"uahclal question during the short ses-
SION as most of the time will be taken
up with the money bill and providing the
necessary legislation for the government
Vi the new territory we are about to ac-
quire, or may have acquired"
secretary Bliss and Attorney General
1Isgs are naturally delighted with the
leSut OF the election in their respective
states but they are not disposed to COM
. nent too freely on the general result un-
vi they are convinced that the Republi-
@ @Cahs receive the control of the House
"ey are naturally cautious in their pub
~ hc utterances, and they prefer to with
"old their statements as to the cause and
erect Of elections for a. few hours.
STATEMENTS OF CHAIRMEN.