Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-30
Views of Political Managers as to
What They Should Be.
THE RELIANCE OF TIE REPUBLICANS
Base Expectations on the Revival
of Business.
CONTENTION OF DEMOCRATS

The boastful predictions of the politi-
clans at this time do not amount to any
thing. They express hope-possibly cxpec-
tation-but there is nothing behind them.
Neither party has any information at this
early day on which to base an intelligent
judgment as to what the drift of the cam
paign is gong to be. They have not yet got
fully organized for their work and are rot
getting returns from any quarter that have
the least significance.
Both parties are anxiously waiting for
the determination of things which are now
in doubt, upon which a preliminary judg-
ment may be formed. and even after these
doubts have been cleared away there will
be nothing conclusive to the general out
look for the election.
Uncertainty as to Issues.
The campaign managers are most inter-
ested now in the uncertainties whether
imperialism and ''militarism" will be the
leading issues of the campaign, or whether
16 to 1 and the income tax will receive
more attention; and whether the foreign
born voters, who, in the absence of infor-
nation as to just where they are have
been located in the Imagination on a very
nigh fence, are going to turn their backs on
Inc administration, or are going to be about
as they usually have been in elections of
the past. Neither set of managers have
yet been able to satisfy themselves on
these points.
Even the effect of 16 to 1 having been
reiterated in the Kansas City platform is
problematic. While IS to l was reiterated
the income tax plank was left out of the
PLATFORM, yet the latter, on account of its
having been left out, is coming to be about
as much talked of as that which was men
toned specifically. If the democratic party
is going to be judged in this election by its
attitude in ~, these twin issues-income
tn will talr1
gether.'
Belief as to the Issues.
The republican managers express the be-
lief that the campaign will be fought on
the issues of '98. They say that the great
republican card in the campaign will be
the prosperity which has developed during
the four years of republican administra-
ton, and that this, of ITSELF will make the
'B issues prominent. They say that in
the last campaign the democrats charged
the universal depression to the fact that
silver had been demonetiZed, while the re-
publicans insisted that the depression was
due to the democratic tariff, and that the
restoration of the protective tariff to its
full power and the permanent establish
ment of a firm financial system would bring
prosperity. These two things were done
and they point out that prosperity has
blossomed throughout the land: therefore,
the issue will be prosperity versus free
silver. On this issue they say that they
are not only going to hold the German
vote. but nearly all of the gold democratic
vote, and are going to secure the votes Of
many democrats who stuck by the party in
9t. hoping to redeem 1t this year. but who
have row despaired of being able ever to
do anything with the party which Bryan
dominates. AS to the silver republican
movement, they say that it will have no
place In this campaign.
Contention of Democratic Managers.
The democratic managers say tha-,
whether they desired it or not, the issues
growing out of the record and policies of
this administration will overshadow 10 to 1
and the income tax for one reason, if for
no other; that is that the result of the
election cannot confer upon them the
power to put these two pet policies into
practice. To make policy an issue, they
contend. 1t is essential that the power to
put it into practice shall be a thing that
can be determined by the election, and
the question by an opposing Senate stand
ing in the way, and the income tax is
blocked by the Supreme Court decision.
They adhere to these two theories of fiscal
policy, and if the rehabilitation of the party
should extend into a second term they
would hope to secure free silver through
having control Of the Senate, and to rem
der an income tax possible through con-
stttutional amendment: but that, since the
election this fall is for but one term which
Is too short. under existing circumstances
the main issues Of the campaign must be
those which are present and pressing and
capable Of accomplishment within the term
of four years.
The Democratic Claim.
They contend that the record and active
policies Of the administration present the
questions for immediate consideration, and
that, since Mckinley is appearing for re-
election, his claim must be based upon the
record his administration has made. To
meet this the democrats, they agree will
have to analyze the prosperity for which
the republicans claim credit, so as to deter
mine its extent or its limitations, and how
far credit for 1t, such as it IS found to be,
Is due to the administration of Mr.. McKin-
ley and how far to general conditions com
mon to other countries. They will have
also to sustain their contention that the
policy Of the administration with respect
to Porto Rico and the Philippines consti-
tutes imperialism they use the term,
and that to sustain such a policy. based. as