The Forrest City times., 1900-04-13
N)1[S FRCM WASHINGTON
short Specials on the Status of Af- fairs in the Legislative Halls
 of the Nation.
ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR DEMOCRATS.
,gnation of Webster Davis, As- .,.,.pt Secretary of the Interior, and It's sIgnificance-Blunders of pre.ident Mckinley - Democratic pro.pects--The Ship Subsidy.
Special Correspondence.)

Special Correspondence.)
 The protest against President Me Einley by his own party continues. The resignation of Webster Davis, as- ,;stant secretary of the interior, is .re of the severest blows ever given the administration.
 To put it briefly, Mir. Davis resigns because he wishes to be free to tell the people the exact conditions of the Roers and what he learned of them during his recent visit to South Africa. He cannot do this and retain his inn portant position under this admins ration. President Mckinley is so thoroughly committed to the Anglo American understanding that he wifi not allow an employe of the govern ment to tell the facts about the Boers, who are making such brave struggle for liberty.
 Popular sympathy has been with the Boers all along and Mir. Davis course cannot but accentuate the in dignation against Mckinley for his o-British attitude.
 Mir. Davis is an orator of splendid ability. He stands high in the coun- sels of the republican party. He went to South Africa with an unprejudiced mind He is now enthusiastic in be- half of the Boers on account of the things he has actually witnessed. He says the British censorship has not permitted the Boers' side of the ques- ton to be known. He proposes that it shall be known.
 MT. Davis first speech on the sub- ject will be giyen in Washington, but he will be in demand all over the country. In addition to the recital of thrilling story of Boer patriot ism, every speech will be of necessity an earnest protest against President McKinley's policy. That man of such ability and heretofore a loyal republican should be arrayed against the administration on so important an issue is enough to deepen the gloom and Encouragement which has characterized the republican counsels for some time.
 McESinley's BIunders.
 There begins to be serious question whether Mckinley is after all prob able candidate for reelection. He has piled up such a mountain of blunders and has so thoroughly offended the powerful and able men in his own party, that even at this late day the republicans seem to be casting about for more availa ble candidate.
 The movement is a quiet one, but there are indications in Washington that the search for the man is being made. The republicans cannot con ceal their anxiety over the outcome Of the presidential election, and it is becoming more apparent every day that they fear defeat on account of the division in their own ranks. It can hardly be said that any one candidate is being mentioned in Me kinley's stead. In fact it seems diff hcult to pick one who would combine the requisite qualities for an enthusi astic and united party campaign. Still the feeling against Mckinley has been gathering force. The Webster episode gave it renewed momentum.
 Democratic Prospects.
 Democrats in congress are much pleased over the recent action of the democratic national committee in sending out warning that all dele gates sent to Kansas City should be instructed. The nomination of Bryan and reaffirmation of the Chicago plat form seem to be conceded without question, but it is thought that no precaution should be spared to make assurance doubly sure. In Washing ton the local Bryan enthusiasm is very marked and the democratic lead CTS Tn congress receive encouraging re- ports from their constituents as to Inc prospects of democratic success Tn the campaign. While the repub- hcans are constantly divided by quar- rels and seem to be getting farther and farther away from the people, the democratic harmony and enthusi- asIn increases in like proportion.
 No Pretense of Principle.
 During the closing hours of the senate debate on the Porto Rcan bill all pretense of principle was dropped ana the discussion dropped merely 70 the plane of party tactics and politi- cal expediency. Senator Depew, who oids fair to become as much of an oratorlcal nuisance as the youthful oeVerldge, quoted statistics whose in accuracy might pass muster in an aiter-dlnner speech, but they made the republicans look rather weary ana melancholy. Senators Spooner ana Cullom could find no better argu- mehts than to plead for time in winch to let the great and good Mchinley' work out the unconstitu- 'iohal salvation of Porto Rico.
 The Ship Subsidy Grab.
 me ship subsidy $9,0o0,o0o grab is oeiore the house. Representative urosvenor. of Ohio, champions it in long introductory report in which '"ilous arguments are very plausibly pu'' The only trouble is that the aleged facts on which the arguments