Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-09-04
OUR CAPITAL LETTER.
M'kINLEY MAY NOT BE A CANDIDATE
FOR RENOMlNATiON.
Western Politician Brings Story of
That Nature to Washington-Lukewa
Support Given His War Said to BE the
Cause-No Decrease in Taxes,

Washington, D. c., September 1.
Many of the close friends of President
Mckinley expect him to retire to pri-
vate life at the end of his term, declin-
ing to be candidate for renomination
Various reasons are assigned for this,
the principal ones being that the presi-
dent has broken in health under the
burdens of his office; that Mrs. Nc
kinley finds the many cares OF the
White House too great for her strength,
and that the president personally doubts
the disposition of the American people
to re-elect chief executive. The story
was brought to Washington few days
ago by leading Western politician.
He served as member of the last
house of representatives, and has many
close friends in the New England states.
| He spent his vacation among them, and
states that several Of the strongest
Mckinley men in the East have assured
him, in private, that they have positive
information of the presidents purpose
to decline denomination.
I !
1t appears that shortly before Elihu
Root was appointed secretary of war a
conference of some Importance was held
in which number of leading Republi-
cans from New York and elsewhere
took part The qualifications of Mr..
Root were discussed at length, and
those present took occasion at the same
time to consider the general political
situation and the prospects for 1900. 1t
developed that the administration has
been watching closely the trend of
politics in the New England states, and
has been far from content with the
lukewarm support given the expansion
and general Philippine policy by the
press and Republican senators and
representatives in the East. Reference
to these conditions was made, and it is
stated that the president remarked that
unless stronger assurance were forth
coming of Jealous support in the hither-
to reliable Republican states, he would
not feel disposed to be a candidate for
reelection.
The gentlemen who attended the con-
ference made q number of suggestions
along the line of convincing the presi-
dent that he is the logical candidate for
next year, but they left the White
House under the distinct impression
that Mr.. Mckinley does not desire
denomination under present conditions,
and they are given as authority for his
determination not to run again. They
were not opposed to his candidacy, and
hope yet to induce the president to
accept denomination. They state, how
ever, in private, and to their intimate
friends, that Governor Roosevelt prob
ably will be the choice of the conven-
tion, and will have the warm support of
the present administration and approval
of Mr.. Mckinley.
/ / /
A letter was received at the war de-
partment recently from General Law
ton, commanding a division in the
Philippines, expressing his hope that
the nsurrection would be ended at the
time his letter should reach Washing
ton. General Lawton is good soldier
and safe and conservative adviser.
The letter for a short time gave sub
stantial encouragement to the officials.
Events have happened, however, which
modified decidedly the satisfaction at
first produced by General Lawton's
hopefulness. A telegram received from
the Associated Press correspondent
reached this city few days after
General Lawtons letter. 1t stated that
severe fighting was in progress, and
that the Filipinos were exhibiting un-
usual aggressiveness. The telegram
closed with the statement that General
Otis compelled the newspaper dispatches
to be revised and everything omitted
which did not magnify the American
and minimize the Filipino operations"
This despatch had to be sent to Hong
Kong, 600 miles from Manila, to insure
its safe transmission, beyond the CEN
sors control.
General Lawton's letter was dated as
far back as July 10. Since that time
there has been successive severe, but
unfortunately indecisive engagements,
and as the very latest accounts, not
from Otis, 1t is true, but from intelligent
and disinterested observers, state that
lighting is continued, and the enemy
are growing even more war-like, very
little comfort is left to be extracted
from Lawton's expressions of hope and
confidence. The best information avail
able at present is that Otis will be re-
tained until he has had a chance to
show whether he can get results after
all the re-enforcements are at hand. If
he cannot, short work will be made of
him. Either Lawton will succeed him,
or MERIT or Miles will be placed in
charge The friends of the last named
express doubt about the wisdom of
either accepting command. There are