New-York tribune., 1900-08-08

sutfer from overconhdence. That IS the danger
this year. There is always danger from this ten
dency, but it seems especially aggravating this
fall, for conditions are so prosperous and every
one seems contented
Senator Stephen B. EIktns Of West Virginia
was caller at National Headquarters in the
morning With him A. B White Re
publican candidate for Governor in his state,
and W. o. Dawson, Secretary Of State and
chairman Of the Republican State Committee
Of West Virginia After a conference with
Senator Scott concerning speakers. they saw
Senator Hanna about the situation in West
Virginia. Senator EIkins says that there is TO
be hard fought battle in West Virginia this
fall but he hopes and expects that the State
can be carried for President Mckinley again
The Democrats will concentrate their efforts
on the State, and will no doubt use money In
their campaign. "On the question of expan-
sion" he added, we will divide the Democrats
The issues will be more along the lines Of sound
money and good times But there is percent
age Of Democrats who will vote for Us on all
these three issues. I think that my people can
be generally said 10 be in favor Of expansion"
NO FEAR OF LARGE STANDING ARMY
As Senator Elkins was Secretary of War un-
der General Harrison and made military mat
ters study he was asked about the rniitartsm
and canteen issues in this campaign. Are the
Democrats using the alleged scare of mirar-
ism down there?" was the reporters question
Il suppose they will try It, but II ought not
TO work among sensible folks MiIitarisrn?
Why that is a favorite cry. All the leaders
who have had anything to do with armies or
war have been charged with militarism The
scare was used in the times of Lincoln and
Grant, but the armies Of the Civil War were
quietly dispersed and the bugaboo Of militar-
ism then dtssipated Lincoln was called a
tyraut, and Grant was termed a butcher when
they were fighting to preserve the Government
under which the Democrats live. Look back in
the files Of the newspapers that were printed in
those days and they fairly TEEN with the
charge that the President was leading US di-
rectly TO a state Of oppression under military
servttude But there has been no such condi-
ton in this country yet. and there never will
be so long the Republican party is alive
There is no danger of our having a large stand
ing army. II is contrary TO the genius Of this
Republic We don't need IL. we don't want IL.
and what is more the people will refuse TO be
taxed to support it
What is all this fuss that he Democrats are
making about lhe canteen question:"
That will peter out" was the answer. Tt is
not an issue II cannot endure. The President
has followed the advice Of the senior officers IN
the Army Democrats as we'll IS Republicans,
that the canteen was, on the whole the best
thing for the Army Of course he might have
ruthlessly ordered il abolished but that would
be a crazy thing 10 do in he face of the de-
Hberate judgment Of the officers and mind YOU,
these officers are not in politics. You remember
when I was Secretary of War I tried 70 abolish
the name Of canteen, which has become odious
to some people, and 70 esta 5lish clubs for the
exchange Of opinion we'll as the distribution
Of beer. But there will always be a difference
Of opinion on the drinking question. They VIII
not keep the canteen question N politics long.
No more do l expect they will raise the high
license question as campaign issue in National
politics. The Democrats in the Army favor the
canteen as much as the Republicans It is one
Of the things which has no business in politics.
II is properly the administration of the Army
as Republicans. The President IS not RESPONSE
BILE for it I think IL is safe to leave il in the
hands of the Army. They will do as they think
best. The President ought not to and cannot
interfere
GOVERNOR ATKINSON A VISITOR
Governor g " Atkinson OF West Virginia,
the first Republican to be elected Governor Of
his State in twenty-stx years, was ar the Ma
tional headquarters yesterday He said i'm
perialisn and trusts seemed to be the issues in
hts State this year but he had no doubt to
the outcome. 1T will be brisk fight" he con-
tinued but I do not see how the Democrats
can overcome the new settlers. Eight out OF ten
OF the men who have crowded into the State
Republicans. The Democrats are full of cour-
age but everything is in our favor. There are
no local issues to divide the party in the state"
Among the Republicans who talked with Sena-
tor Hanna yesterday was John Tinker. Of North
Adams Mass, who is eighty-siX years old, and
was Federal of1ceholder in the Administration
of President Taylor
Perry s. Heath, secretary OF the Republican
National Committee preparing TO leave the
take hold of the work in the National headquar-
ters in that city.