The age-herald., 1900-04-12
POLITICAL GOSSIP AT
 THE NATIONAL CAPITAL

Washington, April 0.-(Speelal. June OF the striking features with the present po- litical situation is the confidence of the democrats that they are certain to elect a majority of the next house of represent- atives. They believe MT. Bryan will be elected president, but base most of theip hopes on the house. That body is now very close indeed and a victory in twenty diss tricts now held by republicans by narrow majorities, with the election of representa- tives from the districts now represented by democrats, would give the democrats a good working majority in the lower house. In view of the revolt against the Porto Rican tariff in the west, it really should not be such a difficult matter, after all, to change twenty districts, unless some un- foreseen incidents should arise which would give the republicans such sweep ing victory as they had in 1894, or even in 1896.
 The republicans are not unaware of the critical condition of their political affairs. That is the reason the senate amendments to the Porto Rican bill were accepted by the republican caucus. The republicans simply want to get out of the storm. They want to settle that Porto Rican question, and then hope to explain the bill to their constituents when election time comes. They knew very we'll that the longer the delay with the Porto Rican business the worse the outlook for them. Whether or not they will be able to check the disaf- lection and overcome the advantage the democracy has gained by the Porto Rican business is another question. One thing is certain the critical condition of republi-
  work than ever by the republican congress sional committee to carry the house.
 The democrats, on the other hand enc couraged by the unpopularity of the Porto Rican policy of the republicans, are pre- pairing to take every advantage they can of it. Many speeches have been made by democratic congressman fiaying the repub- lican party for this business. Others will be made, and they will be very freely dis tributed. Then the surplus in the revenues due to the failure of the republicans to re- peal the war taxes will not be overlooked while popular sympathy with the Boers and the refusal of the administration to intervene in behalf of them, will be used to the greatest possible extent. In fact everything that the republican party has done or has failed to do that offers the least possible excuse for criticism will be taken advantage of to make capital against the dominant party. This Is perfectly le- gitimate and excellent campaign material. It is difficult for the dominant party to de- fend itself The party out of power has the advantage because it is without re- sponsibility, but the people do not appreci- ate these things, and so the outs gain thereby. But with the differences in the republican party oven the Porto Rican bus mess and the unpopularity or that measure with the people, regardless of the fact that it may have considerable merit, the dem- ocracy, as the minority party, is particu- larly well supplied with ammunition, and the republicans enter the congressional campaign on the defensive. With the pres- idency the situation may be different, but that is. another story.
 The chance that the democrats will carry the next house of representatives brings in that event. It certainly looks as if Ma jor Richardson, the present democratic leader, would have that honor New York may present the absurd Sulzer again, but it is thought Tammany will have learned better. MT. De Armond of Missouri will probably aspire, but the fact that Rich ardson has been leader in this congress would work to his advantage. Represent tative Bankhead of Alabama contested for the leadership this year. but did not suc- ceed, and it is understood he readily yields to Richardson. If Representative Bailey of Texas were to be a member of the next house, and it were democratic, he would almost certainly be a candidate. But Tex as does not have good luck with its speak, ership candidates, and furthermore it seems quite certain that Mr. Bailey will be nominated for senator by the democratic primaries soon to be held, which will mean his election and elimination from the house. Of all the men available for speak, er,s should the democrats win the house, Major Richardson is the best fitted.
 On Saturday of this week primaries arc to be held in Alabama for the senatorship. There are but two candidates. The lead ing and by odds the better candidate is the present senator, General Morgan. The other is Governor Johnston, practical politician. The democratic public men in Washington, with but one exception, and that is Ben Tillman of South Carolina, want to see Morgan renominated-his re- nomination Of course means his re-elec- tion.
 Republican public men, appreciating that democrat must come from Wash ington, hope it will be General Morgan, for whose personal integrity, broad mind- edness, deep knowledge, great ability, wide experience and splendid record they have every appreciation. It is frequently re- marked on both sides of the senate cham Der that if Alabama does not return Nor gan she will disgrace herself. Fortunate ly for Alabama and for the senate every bit of information coming from Alabama indicates that General Morgan cannot be defeated, despite the strenuous efforts be- ing made against him, the use of state patronage to help Johnston, and the em- ployment of methods by his lieutenants that are not commendable. A. H.
 THE FIELD FRATERNITY
 When Gods dear justice is revealed The Kingdom that the Father planned- i i, oil xt,iIl