The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-10
REVIEW OF WEEK in
NATIONAL CAPITAL

NATIONAL CAPITAL
CHARLES EMORY SMITH CAP
TuREs NEW FRIENDS.
Status of the Quay Case-A Degen-
Grafton of the scuth's Representa-
ton in Congress a Reflex Of Dis
essed Political Conditions-Judge
Taft's Appointment as President
Of the New Philippine Commission.
Special Cores pondence OF The Tribune.
Washington, d. c., Feb. 9.--"He dwelt
on the greatness of America and the
country'a stupendous future" 1t was
Charles Emory Smith in Philadelphia.
Baltimore and New York. Whether
II Is politics, finances or business, the
peerless postmaster general ana The
Tribune's distinguished candidate for
che vice-presidency is perfectly at his
ease and in his own element. Within
the last week Mr.. Smith has taken
an hour or SO off from his Washing
ton work to talk wisdom. common
sense and practical American politics
to people who think more about money
making than politics or country. In
Philadelphia, as in Baltimore and New
York, he faced the financial leaders
of the world. What he said to these
people was said with directness. en-
phasis and clearness: expressively,
earnestly. htelligently. convincingly.
They wondered how man who was
not a born banker and financier could
talk so familiarly and SO pointedly
about financial matters and industrial
opportunities. And 1t is surprising
how man so engrossed with the
great business of department. and so
punctual in the recognition of the
most eXacting obligations, has one
minute to himself to think. But this
remarkable man does think. and not
only thinks for the administration,
and above that. thinks for his coun-
try. ''rhe commercial expansion of
the country said Mr.. Smith, Incl
dental to the war with Spain. Is set
tied by the overmastering logic Of
events. 1t means a part in the worlds
affairs and the future historian, in
portraying the magnificent progress of
the republic. will dwell upon the mani
fest guidance of an over-ruling hand
in the great and pregnant fact that as
1t reached the stage of it's development
where it's industrial unbuilding needed
t. be crowned with commercial extern
sion, the Unforeseen and mighty events
of the Spanish war suddenly lifted the
curtain and unveiled the new vista"
Now one may look through all the
debates in congress and through all
the thousand and one public u.terances
on the subject and not find the true
American view of the Philippine situa-
ton and our foreign policy generally,
so aptly and so cogently defined. 1t
marks him the peer of any man in
public life, and If the Philadelphia
convention wants "A courageous and
fearless champion. an Incompatible
e-presidential candidate. true
American. Charles Emory Smith will
flll the bill. Why not make the nomi-
nation by reclamation"
WHAT NEW WORKERS SAY.
They all say that the postmaster
general converted every one of the 400
bankers who heard his speech to the
American doctrine of commercial ex-
pansion. "The address was remark
able" they say. "for the skill with
which he compacted into a few para
graphs the story of American develop
ment since 1870. This compression in
to brief sentences had none of the
character of dry statistics. but was
so worded that the great company who
heard Mr.. Smith was able to carry
from that feast clear and permanent
impression OF the facts which the COM
pendulum set forth.
But. after all, the great charm of
Mr.. Smiths address was not so much
the impressiveness with which he
made a comparison that suggested the
story of our growth within a genera
tion as the irresistible logic with which
he demonstrated that growth of that
kind would have made expansion in
evitable, even had we not unexpectedly
received perhaps the greatest CONNER
cial opportunity that ever came to a
nation.
THE ISSUES OF THE CAMPAIGN.
"Mr. Smiths speech was accepted as
setting forth the chief issue of the ap-
preaching campaign upon which the
administration and the Republican
party will with confidence appeal to
the people Of the United States. For
whatever may be the platform made
by the Democratic party, vet, in view
of the fact that before the national
conventions meet congress will have
confirmed by law that the unit and
basis of ou- currency system is the
gold dollar. the Republican party can
afford in the campaign to look upon
the money issue as practically closed.
THE party will. 1t is presumed, in
its place, set forth, as Mr.. Smith did
in his speech, such national policy
as will enable the people OF the United
States to reap all the advantages
which our unexpected and tremen-
dous commercial and industrial and