The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-09-24
THE REPUBLICAN HANDICAP

In the early stages Of the war with
Spain, when tho Sth of November was
far in the distance, there were surface
indications of a deep undercurrent of
satisfaction in the Republican party.
Very little was said about politics In
those days, but the whisperings OF the
party's newspapers indicated pleasing
result of the telescope look ahead. OBJ
servers thought they could discern, out
lined in the November distance, an as
tonishdng array of states strung to-
gether on the Republican line. like the
product of a. successful fish outing.
The glory of threshing Spain, with
Republican administration as boss of
the threshing machine. was thought to
be a mine of political capital richer than
the Klondike. What could Democrats
Offer to voters in opposition to the lively
issue of a war gloriously successful? To
the administration of President McKin-
ley would belong not only the credit of
conquering Spain, but also the fruition
Of the purpose to free Cuba from Span
ish thraldom
1t was, indeed, a dazzling outlook, but
its evanescence presently became APP
parent. While the navy alone was
showing to the world its matchless per-
lection of equipment, nothing but the
highest praise reached the administra-
ton. At the outset Of the military ad
,ho ttr1Jpd
commentator. Everything was rose
ate up to the beginning Of General
Skaters campaign in Santiago.
AS soon as the army appeared or the
field of action, however. it was apparent
that gross incompetency marked every
feature of Its equipment. From that
time until the end of the war there was
a continuous record of laundering and
acknowledgement. All the glory that
had been derived BY the administration
from the achievements of the navy was
observation-disclosures in fact-by the
amazing inefficiency and incompetency
developed in the war department.
The consequence is that the bright
IdIEDOW VI ~ CiiiisC tHdl lHc
hearts of Republican leaders at the be-
ginning of the war has turned to
streak of nauseous smoke. The prospect
of sweeping victory in the November
elections has already been clouded by
doubt and apprehension. Instead of
the war being so helpful as to give as
surance of victory, they now find 1t
handicap, and a very heavy one to carry.
--
San Bernardino city is not tho only
community in Southern California that
complains of unusually high assess
ments the present year. Provident Of
fice-holders have apparently been put
ting in their best efforts to provide the
wherewith to make political wheels go
round. Taxpayers will do we'll to look
into their assessments and try to dis
cover what percentage of the amounts
required might be diverted to political
uses
The management of the Republican
county convention is scored on all sides
outside of Los Angeles. The protrac-
ton Of it for nearly a week was mex
cusable, and 1t was serious matter to
delegates from outside districts. The
Pasadena News expresses general
opinion In saying that the convention
caused many a business man to say,
"You got me to a convention this time
but you will never get me there again."
1t Is reported that many of the brave
sailors and marines of the Oregon have
deserted, in anticipation of another tedi-