The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-29
importance OF The
Congress ELECTION.
From an Interview in the Sun with Hon.
II. o. LeeCh.
4 4 HE ELECTIONS this fall II

From an Interview in the Sun with Hon.
H. o. LeeCh.
Il Il G7 HE ELECTIONS this fall In
Volve the selection of one
third of the senate of the
u United States to serve for
six years and the entire house of rep
resentatives to serve for two years
from the 4th of next March. 1t seems
reasonably certain that the senate of
the United States, for the first time in
twelve years, will contain a clean
working majority Of sound money sem
atols. In the present senate there are
i2 Republican senators, not including,
of course, any of the silver senators
who were elected as Republicans, like
Teller Pettigrew, Cannon, Mantle, &c.
Already a sound-money Republican
senator has been gained in Maryland
and one in Oregon. 1t is reasonably
sure that the Republicans will gain
senator in Wisconsin and in California.
1t is certainly putting the case mildly
to say that the Republicans have an
equal chance of electing a senator this
winter in each of the states of New
York, New Jersey, Delaware, West
Virginia and Indiana, each of which
would be gain. The Republican
leaders are confident that they wli
elect a senator in North Dakota in
place of Roach, which will be a gain,
and advices from Nebraska are that
the chances Of electing a Republican
successor to Allen, the ablest Populist
in the senate, are very bright. In sew
eral other states the Republicans have
a fair chance of gaining a senator. The
only two states where IT seems poSsi-
be for the Republicans to lose a sena-
tor this winter are Washington and
Wyoming. 1t seems reasonably GER
tain, therefore, that the next senate OF
the United States will contain a clean
cut majority for sound money.
o
"The house of representatives Is In
doubt, and it is extremely difficult to
make a forecast, as one has to be ia
miliar with political conditions over
the entire country. In the present
congress the Republicans have eau
Gus majority of about SO over the COM
bined opposition of Populists and Dem
ocratS, so that they could lose 20 con-
gresSmen and still keep control Of the
house. That they will lose congress
men is admitted; the question in doubt
IS, Will the net loss be more than %?
1t is believed by Republican managers
that If Republican losses occur in the
elections next month they will be In
the east and south. n1t ably New York,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Car
olina. Kentucky, Missouri and the Vir-
ginias. These losses probably will ag-
sregate from 20 to 80 members. On
the other hand gains are expected in
the Central West-Nebraska, Kansas,
and in some of the silver states. The
gains in the West are estimated at
about 10 members. 1t is plain, there
fore, that unless there Is a tidal wave
which is not apparent at the moment,
the next house of representatives will
be very close politically. With a Re-
publican president and a sound money
senate, an adverse house Of represen-
tatives would be powerless to do any
actual injury to the industries Of the
| country AS there will probably be
| from 20 10 % Populists in the house, it
| is evident that no speaker could be Sc
| lected by the Democrats except by a
| coalition with the Popuists. This
voulG certainly foreshadow the selec-
| ton of Bailey of Texas, the present
| leader of the minority in the house, as
| spehher, in the place of that great
! American, Tom Reed. The caucus
| dominates by a majority vote and all
| members of the party are expected TO
| support the caucus nominee or forfeit
| all Political recognition. As the speak
er appoints the committees of the
| house, this would mean that the shap-
| ing Of all legislation would be in the
hands of free-silver- Popullstic- Dem
ocratic outfit.
| "Nlr. Bailey's views on public mat
| ters are so well known that they need
hardly be repeated here. He is an ex-
treme free-silver advocate, and the
ablest exponent of Organism In either
| branch of congress 1t would be q
public misfortune deeply TO be la
mented, II the Democrats and Popu-
lists should control the national house
| of representatives, 1t certainly would
have the effect to weaken the results
of the last national election; il would
give fresh life to the cause of free sill
Yer, and thereby deter foreigners from
investing IN our securities. Every
ote. therefore, next month for n Dem
ocratic member of congress, | care not
what his views on money subjects are
is a vote for Democratic Populistic
control OF the house of representatives
The npppopratin rapracaptatI,yo. fran,