The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-20
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.
The Campaign Managers.-The pr

ing about tbs probability of former Sena
tor German, Or some other old line party
leader who either bolted or was iuSewarn
toward Bryan four years ago. succeeding
Senator James X. Jones as Chairman OF
the Democratic National Committee thi:
year. All such speculation takes no &C
count of two very important consi1era-
tons. The first is that Mr. Bryan's re-
nomination already is assured. The Other
Is that. following the unbroken custom
OF political organization. Mr.. Bryan vii
be expected to select the campaign mana
ger. The Nebraskan has given no sign
OF relenting toward the men VINO opposed
him in 1896 1t is known that he is very
gladly welcoming back to the fold all who
come in proper spirit, but there is nc
record OF his ever having consulted any
OF the prodigals as to his personal affairs
or party matters. He is not the sort oil
man to entrust to the hands of persons
whose party loyalty he has had cause TO
suspect vitality important work. On the
contrary, Mr. Bryan is known to be very
well pleased with the present organiza-
tlon OF the party in all OF its parts He
materially assisted in organizing it as ii
exists today, and those who know him well
say he has nc desire to interfere with The
organization. II Senator Jones should de-
cline reelection as chairman intimate
friends Of MIR. Bryan say he would turn
to Stone of Missouri Tor the place. IL
Stone should decline. then some other
man who has been loyal to the Nebras-
kan's interests would be his choice. In
the latter event it is considered in the
probabilities that Guffey. OF Pennsylvania,
who is known to be on excellent terms
with Mr.. Bryan, doubtless would be in
yited to manage the campaign. But at
this juncture there seems no likelihood
that Senator Jones will decline TO again
serve at the head of the National Com
mittee. His health Is entirely restored
and he seems quite as capable or going
through the hard siege OF campaign mana
ger as ever he was. In view of the fact
that all talk OF swapping Mr. Hanna for a
new campaign manager has ceased during
the past few months, it appears probable
that Mr.. Mckinley has concluded that his
interests will be best subseryed by keep
8ng his old manager in the harness for
another campaign. The Presidents wishes
in this matter will be quite as paramount
as Mr.. Bryan's VIII be in his case. The
Prospects. then. are that there Will be no
change OF managers ia either party. The
fact seems to be, indeed that the Teten-
party means the retention of the other by
the other party. Aside from all this is
the firm conviction among many or the
wi5est Democratic leaders of the West
that IL an Eastern man should be placed
at the head of the party organization this
year the mass of the Populists could not
be held in line for Bryan. This considera-
tion shuts out Tom Johnson from the list
of eligibles.
"
Mr.. Bevcridgc Plays Hob.-When the
Oxnard Porto Riean Tariff bill was forced
through the House and furious storm of
protest came from all sections and all
parties of the country the Hon. Albert
jeremiah Beve-idge 81 Indiana was quoted
By friend rs declaring that the breeze in
the Hcosier State soon would blow over
when the Hoosiers learned what the bill
meant For a week this young statesman
has been quiet as mouse on the Porto
Rican question. Various newspapers have
reported him as having made speech en-
the subject in the Senate caucus. but as
matter CT fact, he said not word while his
brethren were expressing their views con-
fdentially 10 one another. His silence has
been one of the most aggravating features
of the situation to the peace makers. No
bndy il is said, has been able to force from
him single word indicating the drift OF
the thoughts which everybody knew were
coursing through his mind like Johns
town flood When the peacemakers we're
appointed by the chairman of the caucus
week ago it was tacitly agreed that all
debate and amendatory proceedings 50 far
as the Republicans were concerned should
be held in allegiance as far as possible until
another caucus is held and definite party
is agreed upon. II goes with
out saying, therefore, that the free trade
offered by the young Indiana
statesman yesterday caused chagrin. il not
among the Deacemakers.
The fact. too, that Senator Beverage had
been with the President just a short while
before he introduced his amendment added
TO the chagrn. For a while there was a
lively scurrying around by the leaders of
both factions TO see. il possible. just what
was meant by the Indiauan's conduct. Ii Is
not vet definitely known whether Mr. Me
Kinley has again changed front. though. OF
course II he advised the Beveridge amend
ment ii is fair to assume that he does not
now stand on the Porto Rican question
where he stood when he forced the bill
through the House under the party lash
That Mr.. Beyeridge has changed front
there is no ground for bubble. and 1t is
not unlikely that the White
House influence had something TO do with
the sudden revolution wrought in his
judgment.