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

ooout OulO. 1D0L l0
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 he is conferring
with Ohio republican leaders, setting
up plans which be hopes will stop
tue 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
those republicans who know the
situation, not only ss to Ohio, but az
to other states, which short 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, Col 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 he
wants, it is known that he 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
it Mr. Mckinley wins they can make
the consumers Of the country pay
back with big interest all their cam.
paign contributions.
Ohio democrats in Washington
held a meeting Saturday night for
the purpose of talking over the situa
tion among themselves. No report.
ers were present, and no person was
allowed to attend who was not 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 fighting chance
to carry Ohio, and are determined to
work hard for victory.
The Democratic Con gressiop pal
campaign committee has prepared aud
sent ont timely bulletin dealing With
the suffrage qualifications, imposed on
Porto Ricaos by the republican
congress and administration. 1t says
"While a oumber Of states. such as
Massachusetts, North Carolisa. Con
necticut and Louisiana, bave prescribed
educational qualifications for voters
this republication measure enacted 70,
Porto Rico is the first attempt in the
history of our republic to prescribe Q
property qualification since Thoma.
Jefferson, the great champion of human
rights succeeded 10 giving to every
man. rich and poor alike. the right t.
exercise his elective franchise as O free
American citizsD. Think how many
thousands Of Porto R,csns, uudel
Spanish oppression, have never had an
opportunity, either to learn to read co.
write or to acquire property. These
are not under republican rule permitted
to vote, yet under Spanish rule they
we're never denied this right. What
then, must be the nsturai conclusion !
The trusts. through whose Influence
free trade was denied by Congress tc
the Porto Ricans have also dictated Z
property qualification for the voters o
that unfortunate island. Of such i,
imperialism.
Those who attended the conference
Of democratic leaders 10 New York
several days ago. say it Was the mos
important meeting Of democrats helt
during tho campaign. aud that it,
effects. already beginning to be felt
will bs farresohinq There WAS ut
rainbow chasing. Il vas plain tall
BY meu Who knew the situation 10 to,
States Of which they talked, and b.
which It WAS made evident that tber,
are substantial reasons for expecting
democratic success this year il there il
bard work enough done to wio it. ant
that the campaign is to be made q,
aggressive as possible from this time 90
There is q clash between the admiuis
tiou and Minister Cooeer. The latter
has dared TO telegraph to Wsshiogto,
that Mr.. Mckinley allowed himself t.
be gold .bricked when he ordered th,
American flag boisted over Ii Huue
Chang. long knowu as the creature Of
Russia, while be 10 10 Pekin for th,
purpose of negotiating terms of settle.
meut with the powers Outside o.
Russia, this government is the only on,
that has not openly shown its distrusI
of Ii Hung Chang from the first, 60 i