The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-04
Paramount Issue
OF This Campaign,
From the Pittston Gazette.

From the pittst0n Gazette.
~ y THE morning of November .
II II news will go to the world of the
III ii clection OF a new congress. The
VJl political complexion Of the senate
as well as of the house depends
upon the ballots to he cast throughout
the country few days hence. Tho re-
suit will rightly be viewed as the meas
IRE of public sentiment toward the ad-
minstraliOn Of President Mckinley. To
choose "a congress antIgOnistiC TO his
politics at this time will notify the ma
tionS Of Europe, and chiefly OF all, Spain
and its sympathizerS, that the course OF
the president, aud the lines of policy he
has marked out, are not acceptable to
the American people and that the most
effective way has been taken to stop all
legislation that he desiEs. II the Fifty
sixth congress. to be chosen in a few
days. is Democratic. IL will deal largely
with questions affecting our new posses
Sions. II is vain 10 promise, or 10 i'm
a0ine. that "A Democratic congress will
be other than typically Democratic. phc
political history of the country is concIus-
i've on that point. Everything proposed
by the president will be searched for
adverse partisan opportunities and ii will
he the aim of congress above everything
10 impede his action and discredit his mo-
tiNcs.
q
No gift Of prophecy is required to tell
what will happen should the next con-
gress be Democrats. All the energies Of
that party would be directed to break
down what would remain of Republican
authority. Much tariff and currency leg
islation will be necessary in Cuba, the
Philippines, Porto Rico and Hawaii. On
neither are the Democrats in harmony
with the president. 4 deadlock must
nn1 NJ nd
complicated duties are most pressing. To
put affairs i'm such a shape is not sensible.
No sane business man would consent to "A
like ENHANCEMENT and blockade i'm his
own interests. In regard TO the currency
of the new possessions a Democratic con-
gress would agree to Just one thing. and
that would be silver at the Old ratio. n
this demand the Democrats in congress
have not waveyed for many years, and
success in November would strengthen
their purpose. Then the Democratic po-
sition on expansion itself is unknown.
The Democrats in congress were almost a
unit against the annexation of Hawaii,
and that stands as their latest vote upon
| the requirement Of fresh territory.
%
President Mckinley within the past few
! weeks has been face to face with the peo-
| pie and has spoken of subjects in which
| every citizen Is equally concerned. Ills
sentiments were as DfOau as the country
! and as near TO every heart as patriotism,
! He spoke of new era of American unity
I and OF the decisive power Of the people.
! As all favored the war, he asked that all
| stand together for its proper settlement,
| He remarked that trade follows the nag
| and that new markets are a legitimat Z
| object 10 keep i'm mind. Victory of a
| splendid nature Is ours but its fruitags.
| as the president observed, Is vet 10 be
| clearly defined and secured. These
| weishty ISSUES are now TO be submitted
| TO the supreme verdict OF the voters OF
| the United states. The question is sim
| Pile: Shall the president be sustained
| Shall congress be elected to act with
| him or against him? He is man who
| IN any case will do his whole duty az a
| patriot, but to necdlessly add to his bur
dens and perplcxities will be truly a
strange reward for a faithful and success.
| ful public servant.