Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-17
THE KEYSTONE STATE
Congressman Thropp, Speaks Of the
Delegation Fight.
THE HONOR OF THE FLAG
He Believes Three Members May
Be Gained.
THE INDEPENDENT VOTE

In an interview with a Star reporter at
the Arlington this morning Congressman
Joseph E. Thropp, representing the twen-
tieth Pennsylvania district. said that he
looked for the liveliest fight over the con-
gressional nominees in the keystone state
that has been experienced there since 1880.
Mr.. Thropp resides at Everett and is
largely interested in coal and iron indus
tries. employing a small army of men. He
is also interested in other business pursuits
and is in close touch with the business in
terests of the state.
A Stiff Congressional Fight.
1--WE will have hot fight throughout the
state" he said for the reason that the
legislature to choose a successor to the
Senate in Senator Quay's place will also be
elected. There Will be more or less fusion
of the democratic and independent repub-
lican nominees in districts which are heav-
lily republican. and this condition Will nee
essarily produce a certain amount of uncer-
tainty in these districts Nevertheless. not
only do I think that the present representa-
ton of twenty republican and ten demo-
cratic representatives will he maintained,
hut / look for a sain of three and possibly
four districts now represented by demo-
Gratis.
IF this gain is made 1t will he of the ut
most importance affecting the complex
ion of the House and would, of course. Of
set a loss of an equal number of republican
districts elsewhere. In the twentY-Seventh
district Mr.. Si1eY who was returned to the
present Congress as democrat, is now
running as a republican. and his recollection
would count as loss of one democratic
member and a gain of one republican. To
sum up the entire state. things will run
Very swift politically from now on.
1T is much too early to even venture an
opinion as to the outcome of the legislative
and consequent senatorial fight.
Bryan's DoubIc-StrinEed Row.
at is my opinion that there is good deal
of method in Mr. Bryan's madness in fore
ing the silver issue down the Kansas City
convention and then ignoring the question
in his Indianapolis speech. If he cannot
land in the White House he will, believe.
try double somersault into the Senate If
Nebraska elects a demo -populistc lcgisla-
ture. and if he is defeated for the presi-
dency. ] have doubt he will be. he
will come on to Washington next winter
senator from his state.
The sentiment all through my state is
one of support of the President and con-
currence in his policies and his administra-
ton. l think. and l believe that most of
our people coincide. that he has handled
the great questions he has been called upon
to decide in a mastery manner Our bus
mess men wish TO disturbance of present
conditions and it is my belief that he will
secure thousands of votes all over the coun-
try for the same reason. man engaged
in business in Pennsylvania is about the
same as another in any of the remaining
states.
''As a member and a private citizen /
think that the President and Secretary Hay
have acted with remarkable Judgment and
calmneSS in the Chinese trouble While
this question is in a turbulent state at pres
emit ] think that when the rescue is COM
pieted we should withdraw our troops from
Pekin. but keep them convenient and ready
inf Irrr IL f,,l
and indemnity. / believe that this will be
done, and that the Chinese government will
be he'd to its fullest responsibility. The
United States is not seeking a norton ~
Chinese territory, but is seeking Justice at
Chinese hands, and will have it, | am
confident that the people will sustain the
administration completely in this matter
The Honor of the Flag.
There is a very strong sentiment in
Pennsylvania tina; the honor of the flag
BE- maintained. ard the people are generally
in favor of expansion. My state has fur
nshed large proportion of the troops, ia
both the regular and the volunteer armies.
We are progressive commonwealth and
that Is one reason why the republican party
mas such a large following in my state-be-
cause II stands Tor progress, national in
teSritN ana the honor Of the flag
As a business man. It is nv belief that
the in'peral!stic cry of the democrats will
operate IN the inverse ratio-that it will be
'tAi'lIStA aleu- ~ De empty and
as the campaign advances. The people of
this country have not yet forgotten how
the great armies Of the north and the snI1fb
melted away after the war Ike snov he
fore the sunshine. ! cannot conceive how
any intelligent man can Contemplate. much
less TAX u from the stump. that d large
standing army or Imperialism of any
sort Is possible in this country II is al,
most an insult To ones Intelligence
me demeSrats have simply seized upon
IL.s .ssue because they had no other. They
the foreign-born voter, and as the am
pa!gn advances il Will be denl0nslr,Jad
how We'll they viii succeed. ! have Vet to
meet the man who IS really ara d. h,,nssf
ly afraid. of this s0-calle1 iInperiaIjsTn md
| fancy there are many more who are lnnls%
ing for him, too.
When the Republicans Fight.
1T Is the history Of the republican party
that when it wants Il thing it goes out ana
makes stiff fight for it. We are.not o,,zr-
confident about having good worl,fr,
majority in the House, and We fully r.aIiz,
how embarrassing Il democratic House
would be. Therefore, look out for one of
the biggest congressional contests rhis
country has ever seen. Il is my belief that
We vii have republican House but when
the republican party is in that mood il
takes ITS coat off ana goes to work We
have lost much in times past because Of
OVer-cOnfidenCe, but We are not oyer-con
hCent now to the House. | look how
ever Tor an increased republican ma iority
as every voter will be gotten out on cleo,
lion day.
The Independent Voter
1T is my belief that the independent yot-
er Will vote the republican ticket this wear
This element of our voting population CEN
trolls many of our congressional districts
and think we have it, together with the
major portion of the gold democratic vote
1 HtSt men, as Il rule, of a
order of intelligence, and a stable honest
government is their first consideration.
There are in Pennsylvania MANY Cor
man voters. II there is any alleged disaf-
lection Ii has not come to my notice Ii is
my opinion that the democratic leaders will
slip up on their calculations as regards this
vote. Germans, as a great class, are bust
ness men, careful and conseryaliNe and L