The record-union., 1898-11-19


in a Presidential campaign that makes
free silver the sole issue.-Democrat
One by one the leading Democratic
journals are deserting the free silver
policy Of their party. We question very
much their sincerity on the issue at
any time. Indications are that they
took it up as battle-cry in their effort
to continue themselves in control at
the late Presidential election.
THE MUGWUMPS.
Stockton Independent: The mug
wumps of New England and New York
are quite certain that it is bad policy
TO appropriate the Philippines and
scout the idea that any one will be
benefited except the politicians. But
when the Philippines are annexed these
same objectors will be the first to sug-
gest just how to govern them and will
be greatly offended if they are not al
lowed TO dictate the selection of all
Federal officers in the new Territories
or provinces. The mugwump has never
extended his range of vision beyond the
Mississippi River and never looks over
the Alleghanies except to scoff at the
people beyond. The triumph of expan-
sion on the Pacific is one of the most
notable instances in which the robust
sentiment of the West has overcome the
traditional fancy of the New Englander.
THE PHILIPPINES.
Los Angeles Express: The several
European Powers have at last discov-
cred that the REIMBURSEMENT of the
Philippines by the United States would
only make trouble-and serious trouble
at that-for themselves. It is clear that
Spain cannot hold the islands even if
they are given back to her, although
that is a point which her Peace Com
missioners of necessity ignore. The
London Daily Mall recognizes the
comparatively new phase of the situ-
alton, and yesterday morning it urged
the American people to pronounce. bold
ly in favor of retaining the Philippines,
for otherwise there will be a scram-
bic for coaling stations that will en-
danger the peace of the world,
The United States cannot be entirely
unselfish. If there were no other rea-
sons for keeping the Philippines the
United States could not be expected to
take them over merely to restrain the
European Powers from rushing at each
others throats. But, under the exist
ing conditions which directly affect the
policy of this country the retention of
the Philippines will undoubtedly make
for peace.
THE SPEAKERSHIP.
Fresno Republican: There is some
vague talk about shelving Speaker
Reed, because, in common with a con-
siderable part of the New England
Representatives, he is out of touch
with the majority of his party on the
question of expansion. There is little
prospect, however, that the big Speak
er will be turned down. He is the best
Speaker the House ever had, and there
is not a member who would feel other
wise than ridiculous in the chair with
Reed on the floor. But the accident
that the man personally fitted above
all other men for the duties of the
Speakership happens at this time to be
in the minority of an essential public
question may have an important bear
ing on the development of the Speaker
ship as one of the influences of gov
ernment. Reed rescued the House from
the uncomfortable tyranny of the OBJ
structionists only to put it under the
controlled mastery of the Speaker.
Power naturally grayitates to those
who have it, and fears have not been
lacking that the recent increase in the
power of the Speakership was dan
gerous tendency. Speaker Reeds re-
ply has always been that the power
Of the Speaker was great merely be-
cause it was the power of the House
acting through him, and that no