Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-03-29

the president recommending one
thing, the house of representatives do
ing precisely the opposite on the same
subject and claiming to be doing the
will of the president-must be taken
and accepted as the most inexpIicable
phenomenon of our times. If Mr.. Nc.
Kinley does not look out he will come
to be known as the DR.. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde" Of our politics.
In my opinion the Washington Post
Is the best political weather indicator
In existence II is not a slavish party
organ. It believes in goldbuggery.
high protective tariff and Philippine
expansion 1t is rich. independent and
capable. II is personally fond of
President Mckinley and, until very re-
Gently believed implicitly that he was
as much man of destiny as Napoleon
believed himself to be before Water
100. Therefore what The Post saws.
which is not Iaudatory Of the presi-
dent comes with the force of a pile
driver In a very carefully written
and mournful editorial, headed "Mr
MeKinley's Opportunity The Post
says:
80 far as the country now knows, 50 far as The
Fost knows, so far as any authentic utterance
warrants the humbiest citizen in believing. tbe
president still stands upon the declaration con-
tanned in his message and advocates free trade
tox Porto Rico. He made that declaration so de.
hberately and based it upon such a solemn and
persuasive array Of facts the whole country re-
cd En- at
II he has changed his mind since then, if any az
thls agitation in congress for tariff against
Porto Rico has his encouragement and sanction.
the American people do not know it and have no
reason to believe it.
That something has occurred; that some pres
sure has been brought to bear to launch congress
upon course which, three months ago il vouid
not have dreamed OF taking, must be evident to
the most careless observer Of public events As
matter OF fact, we see the presidents closest and
most enthusiastic supporters urging this tariff
Dill We are aware-we could not ignore it if we
would-that they are using every possible inau-
ence to obtain support for measure which Mr.
Mckinley in his message denounced by implica-
ton as an injustice and a breach of faith The
spectacle presented to the country is battling and
confusing and mysterious beyond measure The
masses wish to stand by Mr.. Mckinley, who has
won their entire respect and confidence and vet
they are confronted by situation which involves
his notorious champions and spokesman in an or
ganIzed hostility to what they had supposed on
the strength Of his own deliberate announcement,
to be his personal desire and conviction.
What are Mr. McKinleys supporters, the loyal
Republican masses of the nation, to infer7 Are
they TO take his word. as he proclaimed it last
December, they to assume that Mr.. Lodge
and Mr.. Smith, the postmaster general, are au-
thorized to represent him as having changed his
mind2 1t is perfectly evident that members Of
the house have voted for the tariff bill against
their wishes and convictions. It is notorious that
the house, ii permitted to reconsider its former
action, free from all conpusion and duress,
would defeat the tariff by an overwhelming ma
jority Everybody knows that senate Republicans
having heard from home meanwhile, are strongly
disposed and frankly anxious TO bestow free trade
on Porto Rico. What. then, is the meaning OF
this extraordinary compleation2 How is it that
the country cannot understand the seeming in
congruity, and why does not the president at
once relieve his friends and satisfy the people by
giving out, upon his own responsibility. state
ment that viii set all doubts at rest?
He enjoys the affection and the confidence of
the country. If he has changed his mind about
Porto Rico and will give the reasons for that
recantation, his fellow citizens will still believe
in his sincerity and cherish him in their afec-
tons. II he has amended his views; if, after de-
msnding free trade for Porto Rico. he now insists
upon tariff, he has only to make candid ac-
knowledgment of the fact and thereby retain the
respect and confidence OF the country. He owes
this to himself. to bis supporters and to the
American people. He can lose nothing BY paying
the debt.
If or another Democrat had written
that scathing articie-for 1t is scathing.
though written more in sorrow than in
anger-it might be attributed more to
political antagonism than to anything
else. but let it not be forgotten that it
appears as the leading editorial in a
great daily. which up till the fateful.
perhaps fatal. day when the president
began to wabble on the Porto Rican
question was one of his stanehest and
most valorous supporters. But The
Post, keeping it's finger constantly on
the public pulse and its ear habitually
to the ground. knows what's what. 1t
sees the Republican party In general
and its favorite. President Mckinley.
In particular, headed for the breakers.
1t is trying its best to turn them back.
That's all.
Figuring on Next House.
Democratic prospects are growing SO
bright that no one hears any prophecy
touching the next house except that
the Democrats will have 1t by hand
some majority. To show how easily
they can do the trick one gentleman
with turn for arithmetic gives these
figures. showing by what narrow mar
gins several Of our Republican breth.
ren hold their seats: