New-York tribune., 1899-12-18
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE REPUBLICAN OUTLOOK
FULLY PREPARED TO MEET THE ISSUES
OF THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL
CAMPAIGN. u
M'KINLEY AS LEADER-OLD TIME REPUBLSs
CANS IN SENATE AND HoUsE-THE DEMO.
CRATIC STRENGTH IN CONGRESS- 4
SUPERIORITY OF REPUBLICANS
THUS FAR SHOWN IN

|
| DEBATE.
! Washington, Dec. II (speciaD.-The opposf.
| tion is deriving comfort or at least pre-
tending to, from the fact that the responsibility
! for whatever happens between now and tho
next Presidential election must lie wholly with
the Republicans. There is now division OF
party accountability to the country. Great
! pains have been taken to point out that every
branch of the Government is In the absolute
control OF the Republican party. Attention has
also been called TO the fact that such con-
juncture in face Of an impending contest for the
Presidency has happened only before since
| 1872, viz, in 1888 and that Republican pre-
| dominance then in both branches OF Congress
and the Executive was followed by defeat at
! the polls in 1884. 1t is admitted that II tho
party, thus solely accountable for all legislation
and administration, acquits itself creditably
during the intervening time. its appeal to the
country next year for continued retention IN
! power will be made with irresistible force, ana
inevitably meet with an affirmative response.
! But. say the opposition. there can be no dodg-
! ing
/ This Is all perfectly fair the logical sequence
| Of past Republican successes The Republicans
cheerfully accept the issue. Their enemies hope,
of course, that finding itself in possession Of un-
checked power, the party will meet with admin
istrative disasters run amuck with legislation
OF all sorts. disgust the country and cause q
popular reaction against it in time for disastrous
! effect upon the coming election. In view OF the
general situation, both in and out of Congress.
| it appears to be but forlorn chance to which
they pin their faith.
1t is difficult to discern how the result in 1884
yields much promise Of Democratic success in
! 1900. Mr. Cleveland's first election, at this dis
tance, bears more than ever the aspect OF
| pure accident Nothing in the action Of the Re-
publican Congress during the preceding winter
| hurt Republican prospects in the Presidential
campaign Of 1884. Mr.. Cleveland owed his elec-
ton to Republican bolt in the State Of New
| York. With that Fictitious aid he carried the
| State upon which his success hinged, by little
more than 1000 plurality. 1t is undeniable.
| however that the bolt which was fatal to Mr..
Blaines aspirations had its origin in the quar-
rels the succession and the distribution Of
| party spoils, which were in the sole possession
Of the Republicans Just now. II complete
control Of all branches of the Government is Of
doubtful party utility the eve of National
contest, the spoils system is one Of the causes.
UNLIKE THE ELECTIONS OF 1884.
Disappointed ambition will play but a small
part in the forthcoming contest. Things en-
trely different now from their condition in 1884
The party is not torn by bitter and implacable
personal dissensions born Of jealousy and dis
appointment. Never before was It closely
united on all questions Of public policy and pro-
] posed legislation as now. Never was the party
/, less burdened with the complaints Of factionists
and disappointed place hunters. Never before,
, since II undertook to save the Union, has II 30
unreservedly and overwhelmingly had the coun-
try's approval The Democratic leaders are
fully aware Of these facts, and they have small
hope for the immediate future. No intelligent
Democrat expects the defeat Of the Republican
party In 1900 True Congress is confronted by
some OF the gravest problems in its history but
already there is promise that they will be cour-
ageously and successfully met. 1t would be
miracle in politics If all these advantages failed
to yield the Republicans easy victory next
fall. The most stupid imbecility only can inter-
pose to ruin such prospects in so short time.
There is no gainsaying, then, that the party,
thus intrenched in all branches Of the Federal
Government, looks more formidable than at any
period since the reconstruction deys. Certainly
far more so than In 1884, when torn by the in
ternal dissensions Of the so-called 'Stalwarts'
ard "Hafbreeds." But 1t has still other and
even more decided advantages over the Demo-
Gratis and malcontents than mere possession
of the machine. The chief one is that II is on
the right side of every question of National
policy likely to come up Its opponents are only
obstructionists Another potential Republican
advantage lies in its superiority Of leadership.
Take the President He has handled the party
steering oar with undeniable ability. watch
full and adroit politician. who has been fourteen
years in the House. four years Governor Of
great State and four years President, is pretty
we'll equipped for such work. and is not likely
in the crisis of his own career to make any
fatal mistakes. Some Of the Presidents Cabinet
appointments have been bitterly criticised. and
In the distribution OF patronage he has made
some enemies Even the master politician LIN
coin failed to steer clear OF these shoals. Never
theless President Mckinley is in complete COM
mand Of the situation. During the next few
months the opposition has but little TO hope for
in the way OF mistakes from the White House
PERSONNEL OF CONGRESS.
And what better is the Democratic outlook In
either house Of Congress? The superiority OF
the Republican personnel in length OF tenure az
well as ability is hardly questioned by even the
Democrats themselves. In the Senate. where
after a long lapse, the Republican majority 10
decisive. its leadership is in the hands Of Q
coterie OF managers unequalled In parliamentary
skill and craftsmanship, long used to dealing
with the problems Of legislation In their rela-
ton to party politics. Mr.. Frye Of Maine. Presi-
dent Of the Senate. has been Senator nearly
nineteen years. preceded by House experience
of twelve years: the tenure OF Mr. Hale. his
colleague has been equally long. Mr.. Allison. Of
Iowa, for many years the able head Of the great
Appropriations Committee. has been a Senator
for twenty-six consecutive years. and was pre-
viously Representative eight years; Mr.. Hoar.
of Massachusetts. has sat In the Senate twenty.
two years. following House tenure Of eight:
Mr. Platt OF Connecticut has been Senator
twenty-one years; Mr.. Aldrich. OF Rhode Island;
Mr. Hawley. Of Connecticut, and Mr.. Davis.
chairman Of the important Committee on For
eign Relations have been Senators nearly nine
teen years; Mr. Culiom, of Illinois. sixteen years-
These veterans are supported by dozen or