The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-03-21

THE OUTLOOK IN NATIONAL
POLITICS.
Republicans in Oregon who are so
eOnndeAt or Indifferent as to the tire
Haendoas importance Of holding the Pa
cihc coast in line with the republican
party that they seek at this time to
rake over the erRbers of past personal
suarrels. TO the distraction of the party
followers from the preparations Of the
enemy and the jeopardy of party har-
money and discipline in the coming mo-
EentOus campaign. will do wen to
study the following outlook for national
politics. printed in the Brooklyn stand
ard-UniOn. from its Washington corre-
spondent. Albert Halstead. Mr.. Hal
stead says:
The most remarkable feature Of the
present political situation is the grow
ing confidence Of democrats in WASH
ington that Bryan win be elected presi-
dent next November When the pres
ent congressional session opened demo-
Gratis admitted in private that they re-
sarded the election Of Bryan as an i'm
possibility. They said they did not see
how it would be possible to prevent
President McKinley's reelection. The
prosperous condition OF the country.
the division among democrats over the
financial question and on imperialism,
and the fact that President Mckinley
had supervised a successful war, all |
seemed to make a republican victory |
absolutely certain: and republican
leaders were filled with confidence. |
Now the democrats are more than
hopeful. and republicans admit in pri-
vate that they are at least anxious
over the outlook.
The popular revolt against the Puer-
to Rican tariff bill and the negotia-
tion Of the -Pauneefote treaty
have caused the change of view. Re-
pIblicans have been appalled, by the
newspaper opposition to the plan to
impose tariff on Puerto Rican prod
ucts. while democrats have rejolced at
the many evidences of popular dis
pleasure with that proposition and with
the y-Pauncefote treaty. The indi-
cations that so many Americans were
friendly to the Beers and thought the
United States should intervene to pre-
vent the arnihilation Of two republics
IL matters not that they are not really
republics. but are oligarchies-have
giaddened democrat hearts.
II the house had 1t to do over again,
there is no doubt but that the Puerto
Rlcan tariff bill would never go
through. Quite number of republi-
can congressman are very apprehensive
for fear they will lose their seats at
the coming congressional election. They
would rejoice TO have the senate incOr-
porate free trade in the Puerto Rican
bill. If that were done it would 90
through the house with whirl. Moth
ing could stop it. Were it not for the
fact that refusal to agree to any tariff
rates for Puerto Rico. which the senate
would provide would almost certainly
prevent any Legislation for Puerto Rico
and leave the Dingley
rates still due on Puerto Rican prod
ucts. It would seem as if the house
would refuse until the end Of the ses-
sion II necessary to agree to the senate
rates. AS it is. the house must walt
the senates action. and rejoice if that
body makes the rates on Puerto Rican
goods lower than the house bill pro-
Vided.
1t is. Of course. early to make any
prophecies as to the outcome Of the
election, and there is still
plenty Of time for matters to become
brighter for the republican party, but
the fact remains that even If McKin-
ley should be reelected he will not
have walkover. by any means. The
republican party is now suffering the
Dangs and anxieties and apprehensions,
and is threatened with the dangers
that always accompany legislative re-
For the first time since
sl.4 sirst half Of the Harrison admins
sratIon, the republican party controls