New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-25

DEMOCRATIC PoPULIsT LEADERS AT WORK
AT WASHINGTON
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrxE.I

Washington, June PA number OF Democratic
politicians, several Of whom members OF the
Congress Campaign Committee. have been in
Washington most OF the time since Congress ad-
tourned holding quiet conferences and laying plans
and collecting and arranging material for the cam
paign They appear to be more confident now
than they were at this time two, four or six years
ago that the Democrats and Populists Will control
the next House of Representatives. They have
fallen into habit Of carrying the next House"
early In the season and losing II on Election Day
ana thus their present claims rated somewhat
below their par value by unparalleled observers.
1t must be conceded however that the men who
are 10 manage and direct the Democratic Populist
campaign for Congress this year are exhibiting an
unusual amount Of zeal and energy at this stage OF
campaign. -Four years ago the Chicago platform
OF 1886 had not been written and the who had
been appointed to manage the Congress campaign
old not know what of a party creed they would
be required to teach. or what party issues advo-
cate and defend, and they were rather late in be-
ginning 10 ransack the party lumber room for the
documentary and literary material. This year
they do not labor under a like disadvantage. The
Chicago platform is TO be reaffirmed with certain
additions. the nature and Of which have been
carefully and repeatedly explained to them by their
present National leader who IN June, 1898. was
only subaltern in the party ranks
On the surface, therefore, their task appears be
a comparatively easy one. and, before remarked
they are addressing themselves to it with marked
and unusual energy Some serious obstacles have
embarrassments caused by utter lack of
petent opposition leadership in the House of Rep
Tesentatives in the last five six years, by
factonal divisions IN the party ranks. On nearly
every important vital issue they are divided
So marked the divisions that "A recent sugges-
ton by Democrat who is a sound money man
and anti-expansionist and anti-anarchist
seemed reasonable. His advice had been asked as
to the composition of the campaign textbook
which The Democratic POpulist Committee hopes to
put In the hands OF speakers this year some time
before the election and IT Is said that he replied
substance:
Il have been thinking about that 1t seems to
me that IT win be impracticabe to put between the
covers OF single book terial that will be useful
In some I"calitt5I without doing us greater
would he wiser-and In my opinion It will he neces-
least and exercise the greatest caution in dstTbut
Ing them. For example do not think It would
OF Congressman Lentz. sulzer Gaines and some
others into w-abidng communities. 1t would do
the party harm
An Inspection of the Democratic Populist cam
paign speeches printed IN The Record in the last
tions
literary bureau much trouble is that of Trusts"
This is not or account Of the lack Of material in
joint resolutions offered by Democrats, but the
complete absence Of any serious attempt by them
OF their opposition the efforts OF the Republicans
TO do so. 1t seems likely. therefore. that about all
they will do in regard to this matter Will be
furnish campaign speakers in the West and South
MN ~ oIh Nb spteenes Ia me
able specimens OF oratory deal with the Tammany
Il IS understood that considerable space is to be
devoted 10 the doctrine OF the expansion OF the
Iieved that the average Democrat or Populist will
be driven into a frenzy or righteous indignation
the stump, he will be when a Sulzer or
Pettigrew tells him about the horrid octopus which
Is sapping the energies and stransiing the liberties
OF the people"