The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-14
Must Control the House.

Must Control the House.
II n OF great Importance that the Re-
ruhlicans should carry majority OF
che house OF representatives in the com
ing election. While the election Of Pres
ident Mckinley Is certain. II is by no
means no well assured that the Repub-
llcans viii not lose control OF the lower
house OF congress. The majority at
present Is small. BY DISTINGUISHING the
negroes IN certain--of the Southern
states. the Democrats have rendered IL
certain that they can obtain several
seats now filled by Republicans. II If
thus necessary not only to retain all OF
the seats IN the Northern. states now
fIled by Republicans but to make gains
elsewhere The Republicans cannot af-
ford to lose single seat. for the major
ity In any event Is sure to be small, and
the loss Of vote or two might render II
impossible 10 pass much needed legis-
iation
with the many important matters
pressing for legislative action. a dead
lock between a Republican senate and
Democratic house would involve grave
dangers TO the public interests. consider
ing the character OF the present leader
ship Of the Democratic party.
The congress which is elected this fall
win have To provide for the government
% the Philippines. on this question, the
apparent Democratic programme Is.
first. To let the islands GO and work out
their own salvation Failing that, 10
throw every possible obstruction In the
that the unsettled conditions and conse-
quent discomfort may furnish partisan
capital. The complications growing out
Of the present war In China will be
many. and any intelligent method OF
dealing with them will require harmoni-
Gus action between the executive and
both branches Of the legislature, There
may be a long and costly war before
the country, II Is not only possible. but
extremely likely The entire presen,
volunteer army must be mustered out
within year II Is imperative neces.
sary that provision be made for an ade-
qustc force O. take its place Yet the
Democrats are s,rcnuousiy opposed 20
any increase OF the army, particularly
for the purpose o. retaining the Philip
pines, and falling IN their programme
Of securing tho release of the Philippines
BY dlrec, congressional action, could ac-
eomrlish the same result by refusing 70
pass the necessary legislation authoriz-
inw the recruiting o. a force 20 take the
place % the present volunteer army. II
the army Is reduced. hy operation %
existing laws. 60 is old peace establish
ment. the administration would be pow
erless % protect the peaceful natives a,
the Philippines from the hriganas. u,ast
abandon its gsrrisons in all Of the out-
lying towns. the friendly natives who
have accepted American protection
would be siven up % slaughter. and the
evident weakness Of the Americans
would az once sive the signal for re
siyai 81 the insarreotlon
II Il apparent that the loss q control
Of the house OK Representatives would
he as fatal 60 the Republican pro-
gramme "a the loss OF the presidency /.
would leave thu country dcfenssless a,
a time when many grave complications
are presented; would check the move
neas for a revival az American ship
ping; wrcst from The country rs present
hold IN Asia, and destroy all chances OF
the successful extension q our COM
nerce with the orient 10 would place
sn control % the popular branch OF the
national legislature the Democratic
leaders. whose sole apparent aetnatiug
riotive is 70 hamper and embal.lss the
+ administration. no matter at what cost
10 the country.
II may turn out tina, the two votes Of