The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-09-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.

the alarming news whispered in inner
republican circles That is why Mr.
Mckinley is now at Canton, instead
of being in the White House.
Instead of resting be is conferring
with Ohio republican leaders, setting
up plans which he hopes will stop
the Bryan wave which threatens to
sweep over the State and which has
been rapidly increased by the recent
presence Of Co! Bryan in the State
There is no doubt that there is a
decidedly panicky feeling among
thoee republicans who know the
situation, not only ss to OHIO, but as
to other states, which sbor. time
ago were considered absolutely GER
tain to give their electoral votes to
Mckinley They recognize that the
democratic tide is rising and that if
they cannot stop it, Coz Bryan will
be elected. They are relying mostly
upon money to help them, and,
Notwithstanding all the talk about
Hanna not having all the money be
wants, it is known that be has more
money than he had at this stage of
the campaign four years ago, and
that be is making plans that will call
for the expenditure of larger sum
than was paid out in the campaign of
1896 If money can elect Mr. Nc
KinIey again be will win. The big
trusts, the existence Of which is at
stake, will see to that, knowing that
if Mr. Mckinley wins they can make
the consumers of the country pay
back with big interest all their CAM
paiga contributions.
Ohio democrats in Washington
held a meeting Saturday night for
the purpose of taking over the sltua.
tion among themselves. No report
ers were present, and no person was
allowed to attend who was rot a
voter in Ohio, and whose democracy
was not unquestioned. 1t would not
do to write what was done and said
at that meeting, but il is no violation
of confidence to say that those who
attended are confident that Bryan
and Stevenson have a fighting chance
to carry Ohio, and are determined to
work hard for victory.
The Democratic Congressional
campaign committee has prepared aud
sent out timely bulletin dealing With
the suffrage qualifications, imposed 90
Porto Ricaus by the republican
congress and administration. It says :
"Wbile oumber of states. such as
Massachusetts, North Caroliea. Con.
nect!cus and Louisiana, have prescribed
educational qualifications for voters,
this republication measure enacted for
Porto Rico is the FIRST attempt 10 toe
history of cur republic to prescribe a
property qualification since Thomas
Jef4rsoo, the greet champion Of bumao
rigols succeeded iu giving to every
ma0, sioa and poor alike. the right to
exercise his elective franchise as E free
American citizen Thin.; low many
thorsauas Of Porto R,,sns, pader
Spanish oppression, haze nsvcr had sn
cpoor, uni:y, either to learn to read sua
write or to acquire property. These
are cot uoder repu biican rule permitted
to vote, yet under Spanish rule they
aere never denied this right. What.
then, must be the uaturai conclusion ?
The trusts, through whose Influence
free trade vas denied by Congress to
the Porto Ricans have also dictated q
property qualification for the voters Of
that unfortunate island. OF such is
ion perialism.
Those who attended the conference
of democratic leaders 10 New York,
several days ago, say it vas the most
important meeting Of democrats held
during tho campaign, and that ita
effects, already beginning to be felt,
will be far.resching There was nc
rainbow chasing I. was plaio talk
BY men Who knew the situation in the
States Of which they talked, aud by
which 1t Was msde evident that there
are substantial reasons for expecting
democratic success this year if there il
bard work enough done to wiu it, and
that the campaign is to be made as
aggressive as possible from this time 90.
There is clash between the admins
ton and Minister Couger The latter
has dared to telegraph to Washington
that Mr. Mckinley allowed himself to
be gold -bricked when he ordered the
American flag boisted over Lii Hung
Chang. long knowu as the creature Of
Russia, while be ie in Pekin for the
purpose of negotiating terms Of settle
meut with the powers. Outside Of
Russia, this government is the only one
tia. mas no: openly shown its distruss
of Ii Hung Chang from the first, so it
M:.:,k.. NJ,