Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-04-25
yet crystallized, but the initial steps

yet crystallized, but the initial steps
are being handled with great shrewd-
ness 1t looks as though an attempt
will be made to bring enough 'favorite
sons" into the convention to prevent
McKinley's nomination on the first
ballot and then to hold him down until
a union can be effected upon some
strong candidate. This is favorite
scheme Of Republican national politics.
1t defeated Seward in 1860, Blaine III
1876 Grant In 1880, and Sherman in
1883.
The names which are to be brought
forward are those of Governor Roose-
Yeti of New York and ex-Presidcnt
Harrison of Indiana. The dark horses
are to be ex-Speaker Reed, now resi-
dent of New York; Senator Allison, of
Iowa; and Senator Davis, of Mime
sotn. Senator Proctor, in alliance with
the old Reed strength Of New England,
is relied upon to control the delegates
of that section. Roosevelt and Plat
can control New York, Quay still holds
Pennsylvania, and is bitter at McKin-
ley for the latter's evident desire to
keep him out of the Senate. Harri-
sons friends can easily control Indi-
ana, Allison Iowa, Davis Minnesota,
while local interests and influences can
be relied upon to make a fight in sew
eral other States.
In Texas and Tennessee Roadway
has already been made against McKin-
ley. The severest blow so far visible
to the public eye comes in the resigpa-
ton of Assistant Secretary Davis, of
the Interior Department, who has just
returned from South Africa and resign
ed his office in order to make a cam
paign of sympathy in behalf of the
Boer republics. The administrations
notorious pro- British attitude COM
PEELED him to this course. Mr.. Davis
is one of the most notable orators In
the Republican party. He and his
friends expect to be able to control the
Missouri delegation In behalf of his
candidacy for the Republican Vice
Presidential nomination. 1t is obvious
that Mr.. Davis, with his pro- Boer SEN
timents, does not expect to be on
ticket headed by Mr.. Mckinley, with
his strong pro-British sentiments.
Republicans in q Hole.
The chances are at present against
McKinley's overthrow. Hanna has loo
powerful grip on the party machinery
and is in command of too large cor
ruption fund to permit the better ele-
ment of the Republican party to have
voice In the convention. But there will
be bitter fight and feelings will be
aroused which the ensuing campaign
will not be able to allay. 1t makes no
difference who is at the head of the
Republican ticket, the country will
hold the party responsible for the I'D
ministration's blunders.
The passage by the Senate of the
Foraker Porto Rican bill, with substan-
TALLY the House tariff proposition at
tached as a rider, has caused several
difficult questions to be put to the Re-
publican majority. They are asked
first and foremost, What has become
of the Presidents declaration that 1t
was our plain duty" to give Porto
Rico free trade with the United States.
Senator Foraker said that the trusts
would be the principal beleficIaries Of
free trade. Putting aside the obvious
inference that Mckinley is declared by
his own party leader to be In favor of
trusts, why then, should Senator For
aker have provided for free trade at
the end of two years? The Republicans
advanced the argument that the neces-
stiles of the starving Inhabitants of
Porto Rico made the passage Of the
bill necessary. Yet Senator Davis per-
tinently asked how 1t was that taxing
both the products and food supplies OF
these starving inhabitants relieved
their starvation.
Perhaps the most difficult question
for the Republicans to answer is why
Secretary Root, who was conspicuosly
an advocate of free trade with Porto
Rico and who ordered his law clerk,
Judge Magoon, to prepare an elaborate
opinion to prove that the Constitution
extended of Its own strength over
Porto Rico, should suddenly order the
suppression of that lengthy opinion and
order him to prepare another one TAX
ing the Numerically opposite view.
Both opinions are now public, although