The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-05
THE TALK IN WASHINGTON
DEMOCRATIC DIVISION AS TO
RATIFICATION.
RESIST OUTSIDE ADVICE
those Who Oppose Ratification Wish to Throw
its Burden as Far as Possible on
the Repub icars Of the
Nnyt conuraec
extCongress.

The fate of the treaty is uncertain.
Both sides are claiming that the vote to
be taken ON Monday will result as they
would have it, the friends of the treaty
feeling positive that they will get the
requisite two-thirds of the Senate for
ratification, while the opponents or rat
itication are talking with greater conf
dence of their ability to show more than
third of the Senate. 1t is apparent that
a few men are inclined to jolly bota
sides and until the vote is taken, the re-
suit will be uncertain.
The opponents of the treaty, led by
Senator German, and Senator Jones, of
Arkansas, are already congratulating
themselves at the prospect of success in
defeating the treaty because they be
lieye it good politics from the Democratic
standpoint to throw the treaty over to
an extra session of the new Senate, and
put the burden of ratification, so far as
they are able, upon Republican shoulders.
They believe that this will array the
Republican party on the side of expan-
sion, which they, the Democrats, re-
SdIu Lile Unpopular Sitlc pi tue QucStioII,
and some of the leading Democratic op-
ponents Of the treaty go SO far as to
believe that the next Presidential cleo
tion is involved in this fight. They figure
it out that the Democratic party win
be the gamer by forcing this question
of territorial policy to the front as the
chief political issue in the Presidential
campaign.
who in foxa, Of tho
prompt ratification of the treaty disagree
very decidedly with this diagnosis OF
the political situation. While they agree
with their brethren in opposition to the
permanent retention Of the Philippines
and to anything like a policy Of whole
sale expansion, they contend that this is
in no sense involved in the ratification
OF the treaty. They believe that delay
in ratification is dangerous to the count
ry, as it increases the possibility of a
clash with the inhabitants of the Philip
pines, which would be most unfortun-
ate at this time, and they contend that
placing the Democratic party in the
light of opposition to ratification is the
worst thing which could, from a poll
teal standpoint, happen to the party.
They believe that the efforts Of some of
the leading Democrats to make this a
party issue will give to the Republicans
the sole fcredit for handling this ratih-
cation question in common-sense,
business manner, and place upon Demo-
cratic shoulders the burden of being a
merely opposition party.
There is much talk here in Washing
ton about the animus which is supposed
to be inspiring certain Of these Senate
leaders who are most active in their
opposition to ratification. This talk is
aimed particularly at Senator German
whose friends accredit him with having
built up the opposition to the treaty.
They say that when he took hold there
were but ten votes in the Senate in
opposition to ratification. This is proba-
bly, true. While | do not of c0ure i'm
pugn the motive inspiring the gentle
man from Maryland, ! am simply stat
ing facts when / say that good many
people here believe his opposition Is due
to two causes: One of these is the de-
sire on the part of himself and those
who think with him to make the terri
torial question the overshadowing Issue
in the next Presidential campaign with
the purpose of side-tracking the Chicago
platform, and the other is certain
jealousy of Mr.. Bryan.
1t will be recalled that some time ago
Mr.. Bryan was here in consultation with
the leading Democrats, and the an
nouncement was sent ont that he had
used his influence with Senators in IA
vor of the ratification of the treaty
| 1t was said that so great was his in
4 fiuence that every vestige of opposition
/ had practically been swept away Now
/ if there is one thing which the older
members of the Senate resent more thaa
1 any other thing, it is the suggestion
| that members of that august body age
! amenable to advice from without. sion
/ who have been members of the SENATE
! for long time have Il very exalted idea
/ of the value of membership in that body
4 4 "Senator Of the United States" is
/! in their eyes, a rather superior being
! and for anybody to advise him what tt
! DO especially if the advice comes :ronI
/ a man whose only political status is
! that Of defeated candidate for line
| Pres i6eEcy, is not at all Daatahle tq
( cEe Of these older Senators. Senator
iCrman and Senator Jones, Hlo have
been the two most active Of the Demo
Gratis who are opposing the treaty, have
succeeded in creating the impression that
4 certain degree of resentment toward
Mr.. Bryan for his temerity inspires, to
some degree, their action.
! OF course all of them are loyal Demo
Gratis, and it is just a difference OF