Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-31
HEWLETT BROS. co.
THE CONTROL
OF THE HOUSE.
Special Correspondence.

Washington, March 26.--There is
great anxiety among the Republican
members Of the House regarding the
coming congressional elections. The
majority in the House is now very
email and even By unseatlns two men
il Is stlll but l6. A few absentees or
the refusal OF a few Republicans to sup
| port party measures makes II very
| difficult sometimes to carry through
! programs agreed upon by the leaders.
There are - Republican members Of
the House who were elected by major
tiles ranging from 10 10 Sy7. II is easy
TO see that a change OF 500 votes in the
case Of the largest majority would re-
suit In sending men OF the opposition
party to Congress. There are many
districts where a change OF from 900 TO
le00 votes would mean the defeat Of
the sitting members. In view Of the
fact that the shifting sentiment Of the
country might easily affect that number
of votes in a congressional district IL Is
not surprising that many men are now
on the anxious seat and that the Re-
publican managers are carefully scan
ming the political horizon to see what
the possibilities are. There are, OF
course, a number OF Democrats who
were elected by narrow majorities, but
In a contest where the tide may be set
ting toward the party that Is out of
power the belief Is general that their
majorltes would be increased rather
than reduced.
WHICH WAY is THE TIDE?
That is the question that agitates all
| Of the politicians. The Democrats hope
| that II Is their way The Republicans
| believe that they are still popular with
| the people. They believe that the gold
! standard IL stronger than silver; that
the expansion sentiment Is still strong,
and that the administration Is still pop,
ular. They point 10 the prosperity and
good times that the country Is enjoy
| ing and say that these good times will
insure the continued control Of the Re-
| publican party In the house. The DEM
ocrats say the enactment Of the gold
standard law, while leaving silver still
an issue, cannot be used TO frighten
| men who left the Democratic party
| four years ago. While recognizing the
| general popularity Of expansion, they
| say that the anti-expansionists In the
| Republican party and especially the
| gold standard Democrats who are anti
expansionists are quite likely 10 vote
the Democratic ticket They also have
| had their hopes raised by the unpopu-
larity with which the Puerto Rican tar
| IN was received In some communities.
| Upon this alone they hope TO secure
enough votes TO carry a number OF
close districts represented by Repub-
llcans. So II will be seen that each
side has claims and hopes But the
Republicans have all TO lose and the
Democrats all TO gain and nothing to
lose In the canvass, and just now the
greater anxiety is with the Republic
ans.
GENERALS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
Representative Babcock Of Wiscon-
sin is chairman Of the Republican con-
gressional campaign committee and
Representative Richardson Of Tennes,
see holds the same place for the DEM
ocrats. Both are able and skilful po-
litical generals. This Is the fourth
time that Mr.. Babcock has held the
position, three times having led his
party 10 victory, and he Is now mar
shaling his men for the fourth and
perhaps the hardest struggle he has
ever had. II is the first time that Mr..
Richardson has been In command. He
was selected because In the short time
he has been the leader Of the minority
on the floor OF the House he has been
all that his friends ever claimed for
him. Shrewd. tactful and alert, he has
won his way TO leadership. and he was
selected for the craftsmanship OF the
campaign committee because IL was be-
lleved by his associates that he would
bring the same ability TO that position
that has carried him to the front rank
In the party in the House. Both Of the
congressional campaign leaders are well
equipped for their work. There is per-
haps more inducement for Mr.. Rich
ardson TO put forth great efforts. II
his party wins. he Will be the next
speaker. No such great honor awaits
Mr.. Babcock, but he will this year. as In
the past exert his best efforts 10 win
the battle.