Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-08-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondents.
W4currrroHs Trlu u rs

WASHINGTON, July OIL 1888
Republican wishes father the story sent out
from Washington several drys ago. that move
ment was on foot to put another Gold Demo
cratic Presidential ticket in the field next year.
No such movement is known among Democrats
and o such action is expected to get the sup
port of any considerable number Of Democrats,
because they all know that it is NOT being insti-
gated by Democrats but by Republicans, whose
only objects is TO draw support away from the
regular Democratic ticket A number Of Demo-
crats who took part in organizing the Palmer
and Buckner movement, have since acknowl-
edged their mistake and Their regret, and ex-
pressed their Intention to stand by the regular
nominations hereafter, because the Democratf0
party as a whole stands for most OF the things
they believe in. Although Republican money
is likely to be used to bring about such condi-
tion there is absolutely nothing in sight at this
time, to indicate the nomination of Gold DEM
ocratic ticket next year.
There is much shaking and quaking in the old
Alger clique in the War Department, becau sc OF
rumor, which seems to have foundation, that
Secretary Root who is now in Washington,
preparatory to being sworn in tomorrow and
taking charge intends to re-Organize the War
Department from bottom to top Certainly no
other department of the government needs q
thorough reorganization more than the one
over which MT. Root has been CHOSEN TO preside.
but the clique is powerful and Secretary Root
may find himself unable to overthrow the Al
gerites If he is wise, he VIII get Gen. Miles on
his side, by restoring him the authority of which
he WAS deprived by Aiger.
Attorney General Geiggs, before going off Oh
his Summer vacation, shattered the hopes OF
numerous persons who thought they had every
thing fixed to secure valuable Porto Rican con-
eessioBs from the War Department, by endering
opinions upon three specific concessions-the
right to use the water power OF the river Plata.
the right to build and operate tranway, and
the right to build and control, for all time piers
and wharves at Ponce. These opinions take the
ground that all such concessions were the crown
property of Spain, and sums them all and ap-
parently all other public concessions on the
island, up as follows, "as crown property, they
were, by the treaty of eession, transferred by
Spain TO the U. S. of America, and are now a
part of the public domain of that nation. l do
not know of any right or power which the Sec
rotary of War or the President has to ALLEVIATE
in perpetuity, any of the public domain of the
U. s.. except in accordance with acts Of Con-
gress, duly passed with reference thereto" This
is unde rstoOd to be hint TO Aiger of the power
of the administration to make trouble for him
and his business friends. who are heavily inter
ested in soEe Cuban deals, il he attempts to
antsgonize the administration.
Representative Griffith, who represents the
Indiana district which sent the late Judge Hol-
man ito Congress for so many years. said of
politics in his State and he knows: Indiana
To ~ hal Ito Nat
solid Bayan delegation. The men who wer
for Mr. Bryan and the Chicago platform in 1896.
have not weakened III their faith regarding
either. am one Of those who believe in the
indestructibility of the principles of Democracy,
and though the party may suffer temporary
defeat. 1t is sure to regain accendency, for it
represents better than any other political ORGAN
ization, the true interests of the people. The
predominant issue in 1900 is very apt to be war
upon the trusts, and upon this. the Democrats
viii be in far better position than their oppon-
ents. The voters of the country cannot be de-
luded by antitrust declarations of the Repubi
can Convention; they understand that there is
no real antegonism between the leading men of
that party and the trusts, but that on the con-
trary, the closest intimacy exists, sell ing that
most of the influential Republicans are thor
oughy identified with combines and monopo-
les We had great chance in 1898, and we
came very near success, and we will haye just as
good chance in 1900. ! see nothing in the
situation that is discouraging to Democrats, but
on the contrary much that betokens a winning
campaign
One of the conundrums of the hour is why
the sending Of eablegram to Gen. Otis. convey
ing an expression of Mr.. McKinIey's confidence