The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-04-30
GENERAL POLITICAL
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

NEWS AMI UOSSfF.
The Presidential OntIOOk.-The two
parties are lining up. for next years battle.
The leaders on both sides are discussing
the probable candidates and the platforms
that they Will stand upon. The Repub-
licans are no longer delhding themselves
with the idea that they are going to have
walkover in 1900. They realize that the con-
test will be very close aud that it may take
the official count in the end to determine
which side has won9
II the national conventions should meet
tomorrow or within the next few weeks
Mr.. Mckinley in all probability would head
the Republican ticket and Mr.. Bryan the
Democratic, but no one can safely predict
what changes the next twelve or thirteen
months may witness. In politics there is
a saying which has become almost an
axiom-that there is nothing quite so I'M
certain a certainty. II Mr.. Mckinley's
State should go Democratic next fall, or
Republican elected Governor like Toledo
Jones, good many careful observers be-
lieve that it would be the sounding of Mr..
Mckinley's death knell politically. There
are unquestionably good many Repub-
licans who are apparently loyal to Mr.. Nc
Kinley who would quickly join in a move
ment to nominate some other man, pro-
vided it gave any promise of success. There
are also hundreds of others who are firmly
convinced that IL will not be wise or good
politics to nominate Mr.. Mckinley next
year in view of the retention of Mr.. Alger
in the Cabinet and the numerous scandals
that have developed under the present Ad
| ministration. In their opinion. with Mr..
Mckinley as the standard bearer the party
would be placed on the defensive all
through the campaign and his election
would be extremely doubtful. II the Re-
publican leaders finally reach the conclu
sion that Mr.. Mckinley is not the strongest
candidate that could be named he will I'M
questionably be thrown overheard with
very little ceremony, but that point has
not been reached yet and it is not likely
to be until after the elections next Novem-
| Der.
II requires no second sight to perceive
| that Mr.. Bryan is easily the choice of the
| Democratic masses today. The Democrats
| of the West and South appear to be almost
unanimous for him. and so long as they
| stand by him he can be nominated in spite
of any opposition that may develop in 9TH
| err sections of the country. 1t is pointed
| out, however, that the opposition to Mr..
Bryan inside of his party has been gain
| ing strength; that 1t has solidified and is
| likely to become dangerous to the Ne
| braska statesman. But until the opposi-
| ton obtains some substantial foothold in
| Mr. Bryan's own territory he can afford to
| snap his fingers at his opponents There
| have been rumors Of late Of a deep-iaid
| plot to undermine Mr.. Bryan in Texas,
Missouri and other States of the South
and West, but there has been nothing tan
gible to prove them. Politicians as rule
pay very little attention to rumors that are
unaccompanied by facts in making up their
calculations. The best prophets today pre-
dict that the Presidential fight Of 1900 will
ha bat NJ MrIS iuto md Mr.
Concerning Platforms. Assuming
| that Mr.. Mckinley and Mr.. Bryan will be
pitted against each other next year in the
Presidential sweepstakes the point OF in
terest will be in the respective party plat
forms. The Republicans, it is announced
unofficially. have decided to throw off their
mask and come out sQuarely for a single
gold standard. They will. of course. en-
dorSe expansion and the general Repub-
lican policy regarding the tariff and other
matters of lesser Importance. When the
| time comes, however, ii is believed that
| the Republicans will weaken bit about
mailing their flag to the gold standard
mast; they will probably insert para
graph in favor of 'bimetalism by an in
ternational agreement"
The Democrats will. it is believed, reaf-
| firm the Chicago platform OF 1885, and it
| is said IN he fbe rreSent Intention of Mr..
| Bryan and his friends to add a plank de-
| nonnc;ng eynansion Rut this ia Inv mo
| mems csrt.in Rv tho time tho Deno-
oret,c N.,;onaI f,onyan,ion ,ne.ts newt wear
u &c no;ntod out that tho question n, av-
n,ns;a,, 1s,II he co aSfoc,ua1,y sat,iad that
20 800 $50, Iii, thinL =, ,r,,,na ~ -,aI-a
au ,ss,,a ont If !, T. viii he sor,rnata
81 - ;a,santn,,,. ~ -
cratic party if such Is the case, as Ii will
SOW lnS pa,,y I'm Au.I,e e u
speahaoie iony VI au.as e lne o y,,..,
"neins sI 1. VI IN. .ne y. Wi.n
eApansiou elilniia.eu nom lhe ea,hpaish'
cue Deihocia. aus WIN nave inoie tnah an
Even onaIee 70 smeep Tue 'oun'iy anu eieol
the next rresiuehl'
=
Mr.. McKfnley's Western Trip.-Sen-
ator Hanna is counting a great deal on the
prosta.,... s,,,n, oro,,rd ~ o,ro,o ,,h;.,
| Will begin some time toward the latter
part Oh June OF early IN july, according