The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-07-29
MUDDLED POLITICS.

Il The two great political parties are
today casting about for issues on
which to wage the campaign OF 1900
like a drowning man grasping at
starws. Neither seems to know
"where it is at" The republicans
have been in power two and half
years, and have failed almost utterly
In carrying out the demands of their
last national platform. The admins
tration even had it the desire to do so,
has been unable to free itself from the
grasp of politicians and petty bosses,
hence has been unable to establish
policy or make record on which the
party can stand next year. Besides
the party leaders arc llvided on the
paramount issue that will enter into
the next campaign. Some of the
brainiest men in the party oppose ex-
pansion and Imperialism while the
majority support the administration
on this question. Many are denounc-
ing the present tariff law as breeder
of trusts and are demanding its repeal
or readjustment, which brings them
squarely in opposition to the principle
of protection that has ever been one
of the foundations of their party. On
the money question, while the majority
Of republicans favor the gold standard
vet they are afraid to take any definite
steps, or enact Legislation to reform
the money of the country, for fear that
they will antagonize the friends of
silver and lose their votes. The
greatest dissension in the republican
party, however, will be the choice of
candidate next year. Mckinley has
the support of che bosses, and leading |
republicans everywhere realize that
he must be nominated, yet they recog-
Dize the fact that he will not be their
strongest candidate, for the simple
reason that his administration is not
popular with the masses. But to de-
feat him in the national convention
would be to acknowledge the weakness
of his administration and to repudiate
the principles for which the party has
stood in the past, also it would ALLEVIATE
many of fthe liberal 'contritu utors to
the campaign fund.
The democratic party Is in little bet
ter condition for entering the national
OF next year, because of the
TACT that democrats are not a unit on
tho iSouao tho r,,not an tar In m tho ,.o,H |
troversy. On some questions they are
almost unit, for instance, they are
opposed to trusts and believe the pro-
;ective tariff is responsible for their (
existence, hence will stand shoulder to ,
shoulder in opposition to the tariff
aw now on the statutes. On the
money question they are pretty we'll
United; that is they believe in restora-
ion of silver, yet many question the
of making it so prominent
! feature as it was in 1896. On the !.
question Of acquiring territory by ac- :,
Iuisition they are also pretty we'll
lnited, there are only few who favor
he holding of the Philippines at any
ost. and will support the administra
ion in itsefforts to subdue the Filipinos
t the point of the bayonet. But like the
epublicans, the democrats are afflicted
With too prominent a candidate. Ii
DR.. Bryan is a candidate which now 7
GEMS almost certain, he will be the ,
ominee, although many feel certain I
hat he cannot get the undivided sup Z
ort of the party. He has gained en-. I
irely too much prominence to be a '
uccessful candidate, although chances {
+ eleccion would probably be better g
han they were in 1895, for the reason I
hat he stands for principles that are
ear to the masses, and is represen.
alive of true Americanism as it has r
cen taught for ages.
Viewing both sides of the Situation c
; cannot be denied that there is a /
,uddle in both parties that will be '
ifficult to straighten ont before the 4
ext campaign shall open. The re.
ublican party is weak because of it's
Iilure to redeem it's pledges of 1896, I
ecause Of the growth of trusts under b
q administration, because of its SUBJ {
srvience to bosses, and because of its r
ar policy. On the other hand the Il
party is not so firmly
nited as it was in the last successful
of 1892, and is at the disad. =
sntsge of not having a recent admin
'tration to which it can point, for the :.
arty of today has undergone system
I evolution since the time when
leveland was it's leader. Leaders
lay be able to bring order out of the
haos before the conventions are held \
ext year, but it will require shrewd
if it is accomplished.