The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-04-11
Dewey as Independent
Would Help Bryan.
General News and Political
Gossip in Washington.

presidential nomination have the re-
mo.est idea that he can get the
democratic nomination away frora
Col Bryan, they have another guess
coming to them. There is not a
democrat in either branch of con-
gress, in sympathy with the Chicago
platform. who does not regard Col
Bryan's nomination as already made.
and the Kansas City convention as q
national meeting that will be held to
ratify that nomination Admiral
Dewey says he is democrat and has
always been one. but that he has
never cast a vote If be had made
that statement when be first returned
from Manila when his friend, Senator
Proctor, of Vermont, vas repeatedly
declaring .ba. he was republican,
it would have carried more weight.
But, anyway, democrats who do not
vote are not the the sort of democrats
who help the party to win elections
or who deserve Office from the party
If Admiral Dewey becomes au inde
pendent candidate for president, he
will render material aid towards the
election of Col Bryan, as be would
probably get votes which would 9th
erwise go to Mckinley.
II every democratic member of the
house will occupy his seat and vote
asaiust the Porto Rico bill, that
iniauitous measure can be defeated
when 1t is taken up this week. The
republican caucus has declared in
favor of passing the bill just as it
came from the senate. but there are
quite number Of republicans who
say they will not vote for the bill!
and a few who win actually vote
against it, and i: is practically certain
that owing to absentees, a vote
against the bill equal to the full
democratic membership of the house,
will defeat it Both sides are work
ing hard to get their atsentees in
Washington in time to vote Bad as
she tariff clause is in principle, the
section of the bill providing civil
government for Porto Rico is even
worse Under it. the rea: govern
nent of the island Can be put into
the bands of carpet baggers. and that
such a government would be pro
ductive of scandals was fully shown
by the experience during the recon.
ssruction period in southern states
The distinguished audience which
heard Hon Webster Davis frst
lecture on the war in South Africa
indicates that those who claim that q
majority of our people sympath,ze
with the Beers are right The lee
ture, which abounds with arguments
showing why we should eympasbize
With the two republics which are
struggling for their lives against one
of the words greatest empires, was
applsuded from start to finish. Mr.
Davis is receiving invitations to
speak in behalf of the Beers from
every section of the country
Hearings of the CLARK case have
been closed and the senate commit
tee on elections is considering the
evidence and the arguments of coun-
Sc! An adverse report is looked
for from tie committee, but it is
generally expected that the vots of
the senate will be in favor of Senator
CLARK. 1t would require a two-thirds
vote to uasea. him.
1t is regarded as significant of
coming change in the administrations
Philippine policy that the official
announcement is made that Gen Otis
will start for the United States at
about the time the new Philippine
commission arrives at Manila
1t is we'll known that there was
much clashing betweeH Otis and the
old commission although be was q
member of that body, as was Dewey
The administration does not intend
that decision from the supreme
court shall be had on the question Of
the constitution following the fsg
before the presidential election if it
can possibly prevent it This has
been shown by the action of oecre-
tary Gage in ordering that contract
laborer brought from Porto Rico to
New York, for the express purpose
of making a test case, be allowed
to land Representative Mcclellan,
Of New York. has offered resolu
ton in the house, calling upon Sec
retary Gage for the correspondence
in this case. and Senator Jones'. Of
Arkansas, offered similar resolu
tion In the senate, which was at
cnce adopted How this action on
the part of Secretary Gage strikes
the democrats and populiets ia con
gress may be Judged from the fol