New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1899-03-29
Washington Let ter.

- z - tssisa
The Democratic party is waking up to
remarkable activity and vitality. The
national committee reports q great in
crease in contributions and this is one.
of the best indications that we are to-
have the sinews of war for. the next CAM.
.paign.
Platforms are already being construct
ed. Watterson published very clever
and elaborate one the other day. The
Democracy of Kansas expects to make q
few suggestions shortly, and the con-
troversy between Bryan and Belmont
tendsto define party issues in the east.
The diversity Of opinions about the
important planks Of the next platform
is sign of growth. Out of the earnest:
and honest discussion will come the
highest wisdom of the party. There is
every indication that the most import
ant portions of the Chicago platform
will be re- affirmed and one or more new
ones added. Some of the minor issues.
ma; be dropped in order that strength.
may he concentrated on the great ques-
lions.
Unrelenting opposition to the trusts
will be the keynote of the next platform.
This becomes more clear every day. The
financial declaration will undoubtedly
be e-ahirmed. Anti, Imperialism will
come next and then a good strong taxa
ton plank. 1t is little early yetto as
sumo the garb of prophecy but senti-
ment seems to he crystallizing about
these four issues.
Our activity and hopefulness worries
the Republicans. They have apathy and
dissenslons to combat within their own
ranks, Just as we had six months age.
Every day now sees the Democracy gain
ing unity and strength Of purpose. And
let us give thanks that we have no war
scandals live down.
President Mckinley has been adver-
tised as taking vacation at Thomas
Vile Ca, varied by several days sojourn
at Jekyll island. By an odd coincidence,
Speaker Reed selected that particular
spot Of the whole universe on which to
take this vacation at the same time.
Senator Hanna has personally super.
intended this outing of distinguished
and unfriendly statesmen. AS we might
expect, he allows the news to permeate
that all differences have been settled
and that Mckinley will not only be
nominated again but will have Reeds
support. We have to take his word fol
it because he carefully picked a place
for his proteges to have their quarre
out and kiss and make up, where they
would be undisturbod by reporters. New
ertheless the little birds coming nortl
because it is spring time, bring some de
tails of the alleged love feast.
Hanna made Mckinley go down or
his knees, metaphorically at least, ane
plead with Reed to get off the track
Reed in turn exacted a promise Of NJ
extra session of Congress and with
drawal Of opposition to him as Speaker
of the next House. Reed gets What III
wants for the moment and does not
seem to have made any special promises
The Administration hopes it has mad,
its peace with him. He Is violently OPP
posed to an extra session because b,
thinks the expenditure would be to,
great and financial legislation would en-
danger Republican chances OF success
in the coming presidential campaign. I
may he stated as a certainty that Reed
has bound himself by promises whicl
will keep him from going after the nom
i nation for President if he sees an,
!. chance of landing it. He scornfully de
cslned an offer of the yIce-PIesidentia
nomination with Mckinley ut the hea
/ of the ticket. He was too shreWd to ii
himself up in that way.
i What crocodile tears the Administrs
| ton shed over the reported death {
John Sherman. It prepared a most flu
some statement of his virtues and sci
vice and had already sent the copy {
the newspapers when the announcement
came that he still lived.
4 And this.is the same administratio
q that first forced the old man out Of til
senateso Hanna could get his seat an
then dropped him from the Cabinet ate
having humiliated him by making Iii,
only figure head. Il was understood
& that he was in his dotage when he ",
+ edged out of the Senate and this mac