The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-06
CHANCES OF Rase In Politics.

The Detroit Free Press describes 1.-THE
Joy Of the Republican Representatives In
Congress over the Hon Joseph Sibley's
expansion" as absolutely boundless. and,
OF course. Unreasonable. inexpressible.
&c. Seeking for an explanation Of the
unutterable bliss which il believes thrilled
through and spilled over the souls Of the
Republican Representatives. the Free
Press finds II In the stern necessities Of
the political situation Our Detroit con-
temporary IL one OF the very small num-
Der of gold-standard and incurably anti
Bryan newspapers that persist in oppos-
Ing the accomplished fact Of expansion
II notes with evident satisfaction that
the administrators territorial policy
has cost Il the support of Senators Hoar.
Hale, Mason, and Wellington, ex-senator
Edmunds. ex-Gov. Boutwell,, ex-Speaker
Reed. and many other strong men of the
party"
In view OF the detection OF so many
statesmen and ex-statesmen, the Free
Press says: 1T Is little wonder that the
Mysteries at the sight Of even an inmate
rial member OF the opposition coming over
to the imperiaIist side"
In the opinion OF the Cleveland faction
Of the Democracy, Mr.. Sibley may
have been an "immaterial member of the
opposition" Not so, however, with the
regulars. But we do not care to discuss his
positive or relative value to either party
or any faction. His change of base is a
matter OF little Importance by reason of
the fact that he is a Pennsylvania. The
Republican party in that State is too
strong to need his help, and the Demo
cratic party so hOpelessly weak that his
exit can do ii no harm.
The Free Press mentions the names Of
seven strong men, who are not support
ing "the administration territorial pol
ICY" We are not advised that any one
Of these proposes to go over to the De-
mocracy. Senator Hoar will undoubtedly
abide with his party. Ex-senator, ex-Sec-
rotary, and ex-Gov. Boutwell,, whose Phil
ippine policy is radically different from
that of Senator Hoar, Mr.. Bryan, or any
body else except a few impracticables
may switch off from the party which has
honored him so conspicuously in the past
But that would make no difference in the
electoral vote of Massachusetts.
Mr.. Edmunds and Mr.. Reed are out
| of politics and into law practice for the
money there is in it. They appear to be
thriving. The ex-senator is a resident OF
Philadelphia. That he is and will remain
a Republican is morally certain, and it is
not less certain that should he go over
to the Democracy, neither Pennsylvania
nor Vermont, his former home, would
make that journey with him. If ex-Speakel
Reed has any political ambition. an
plans or hopes of a political future. il Is
| safe to assume that in due time he viii
| reappear on the Republican side of tbs
fence. 1t is not supposed that he viii
| take an active part in this years cam.
| paign. Senator Mason is not supposed q
| be heading toward the Democratic house.
hold. In spite of his anti-expansion rage
he is unlikely TO go back on his party
| But his desertion would not be a con.
| trolling factor in Illinois politics. No one
| can guess in what direction Mr.. yelling
| ton is heading. and it is a matter of so lit.
| tie consequence that we need not eXpenC
time or space in specializing upon it.
The Free Press slings filings at Sibley
because he is something of an adept a
Topping. But it was the Free Press, no
Sibley, that left the Democracy in 1896. II
that great campaign the Free Press tool
an active and influential part in opposition
! to its partys candidate and platform
| while Sibley was shouting for 16 to /. In
stead of whining and scolding at ''the vac
illating Sibley," our Detroit contempOraT!
ought, for consistency's sake, TO give hin
the glad hand of congratulation on hi!
| conversion to the gold standard.