The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-03

NASHi NOTION, March 2.-(Special)-
The Democratic caucus, which resolved
that the United States should disclaim
permanent sovereignty over the Phil
iprines. and should transfer all rights
secured under the cession by Spain
to an independent government of their
people, formulated a policy which the
great mass of the party had already de-
veloped and approved.
Never before had there been such
unanimity regarding an important line
OF action as the Democratic party from
all parts of the country displayed
through letters to their representatives
in congress- The sentiment is as spon-
taneouS as ii is universal, and betokenS
az earnest, almost imprisoned, convic-
ton, which is an augury of success
in the future, if only this present is
sue be not displaced by blind fidelity
to the shibboleth of sixteen to one.
The Republicans openly boast that
their safety will come from that Bour-
bon quality in their opponents which
neither will admit nor rectify a mis-
take
REPUBLICANS IN DESPAIR.
Meanwhile the secret communings of
the Republicans are full of despair
They have followed the president only
to find themselves in a morass. One
of the main influences in combating
an extra session has been the Repub-
lican desire to get home and at their
fences as soon as possible. There has
been an ominouS growl all along the
line, and with each mail it keeps in
creasinS. The one question of the hour
is what shall We do to be saved?"
The situation reminds one strongly
of that which prevailed when congress
met in December, 1898. There was
apathy and detection among the Re
publicans. The Dinglew law had failed
fulfill its promises, and the leaders
We're preaching a rigid economy which
would prevent any local pap. Members
We're at sea regarding a financial pol
icy. Ominous rumors came from New
York. Pennsylvania and the Northwest.
II was openly admitted by astute Re-
publican politicians that the party
would be in a minority unless a mira
Gle happened
The miracle did happen; the Spanish
war came with sufficient glamour of
glory to lead to victory in the fall. But
the glamour has passed away; all the
abuses and evils stand exposed while
the administration, having piled up liza
bilities almost incalculable, pursues a
violent and brutal course, which daily
alienateS more and more the best ele-
ments in the Republican party
Never did greater opportunity come
to a party than now invites the DEM
ocrats, if only they will seize and cleave
fast to it.
SOLDIERS CALLED IN.
The impossible has happened; the
court of inquiry has actually summoned
before it some of the soldiers. whose
duty, as we'll as whose privilege it was
to subsist on canned roast beef Hither-
to all the official investigations have
hesitated to take such a radical step.
They have listened gravely to the
praise of those who have never tasted
the preparation. They have endured
long priOri arguments of chemists
and scientists in proof positive that it
must be Salutary. They have eontem-
plated visiting the great meat estab-
lishmentS for peculiar demonstration at
T. the present of what must have been
done in the Past. But they have avoid
ed the testimony of the common soldier.
He might not know what is good for
him.
Evidently he does not, if embalmed
beef comes within this category The
men testified that the canned roast
beef made them sick; that they lay half
starved in the trenches rather than
touch it, that in no previous campaign
had such nOXious stuff been offered to
them; and that the sight and smell of
it nauseated them.
To the initiated this might seem con-
elusive; but a bureaucrat In the war
department would pooh-pooh at such
evidence, offering in rebuttal score of
official certificates of wholesomeness.
that being one Of the ways they now
have in the army which aided Cor
man in his successful fight against a
permanent military establishment.
COMPARATIVE ECONOMY.
Mr.. Burton. chairman of the river
and harbor committee of the house, in
dignant that his measure should be
loaded down by the senate with the
construction of the Nicaraguan canal,
introduced his bill, which obviates the
Sl2o,OOo,OeO scheme by providing for an