The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-08-29
Republicans Desert the
Sinking Old Hulk.
CAN'T STAND IMPERIALISM.
ominous Facts Confront the
G. O. P. File Leaders.
TRUST VOTE CATCHING METHODS.

They Hesitate at Nothing to Fool
Sudseons - Making Desperate
| Fight For the Next House, Sug-
eestfon to the National Democratic
; Committee Work For Southern
!: coneressmen-A Wolf In Sheep's
ClothinR-GermansF For Bryan.
Especial Washington Letter.l
And still they come. Nothing short
ef a lightning calculator in good run
ming order can keep up with the Re-
pnblicans Of all degrees who are de-
serting the sinking old hulk. The most
distinguished recruit to the Democratic
ranks since my last writing is the Hon.
Henry e. johnson Of Richmond, Ind.
He served ten years in congress, with
constantly growing prestige. 1 state
now a fact which everybody stated
then, that he was one Of the ablest
members OF the house. Nobody doubt
ed his courage, his capacity or his IN
tegrity. He was an able congressman
in every way. lie was strong in com
mittee work and especially strong on
the floor of the house. N'ithal he was
a man Of conscience. lie placed right
above party, and when his party began
this imperiaIistic crusade Johnson was
&t,o G-c+
speech against It. he had then, as |
have reason to know, hopes OF ~
ducins his party 20 refrain from this
un-Amer;can and riinous policy, and
he made heroic fight Finding the
Republicans, like Ephraim Of old,
loined to their idols. there was but
one thing left for him to do as a. hor
est man-to leave the Republican
party, which he mas done. He Will be
welcomed generally rs an auxiliary Of
great power.
not All s.fias Beeas.''
The Republicans have been claiming
that all the Republicans who had de-
serted them were "eN's" and had no
future. This theory is completely
knocked in the head by the action Of
Hon. George L. Wellington, senior Re-
publican senator from Maryland, who
has lust announced his intention OF
taking the stump for Bryan. Senator
George f. Hoar and Senator William
Z. Mason went to the jumping or
place, but wouldn't jump. Wellington
went tie whole hog. What they Will
say about Wellington l don't know.
They will get up some plausible lie, no
doubt. for that is their long suit; but
nobody cares what sort Of lie they tell.
for nobody believes them.
Another sample OF an actual Re
publican oficeholder Of high degree
jumping the fence is that of Mr.. Tai
bot of Omaha. president Of the state
senate Of Nebraska. Perhaps no man
in Nebraska had brighter future in
the Republican part: than Mr.. Talbot.
but he couldn't stand the corruption
of the Republican party and he has
quit it incontinently.
Another ominous fact for the RepuD-
iican spellbinders and file leaders to
consider is that Arthur Pue German is
going to take an active personal In
terest in the conduct Of the campaign
in the east. First and last have diff
fered with him on many propositions
and / may do so hereafter, but | have
never departed from the belief that ne
is the greatest parliamentary leader OF
this generation. and that as political
manager be has perhaps but one equal
in the United States. ;.nd that IS Mat
thew Stanley Quay. In 1896 he took
no part whatever in the campaign.
This wear be is to be actively assoclat-
ed with Senator Jones IN the manage
ment Of the campaign. L fact which
will set Marcus 4. Hanna to rubbing
his bald pate at q furious rate.
Contagious Enthusiasm.
The monster meeting at Indianapolis
at which Bryan and Stevenson ac-
cepted their nominations probably en-
gendered enough enthusiasm OF itself
TO carry the state Of Indiana for the
Democrats, 1Or eNtUUSlaSiiI 10 tNe uioSe
contagious disease known 2mong men,
being more contagious than the mea-
sles. the black plague or smallpox.
1t made little difference whether any
one heard the speeches or not. though
they were OF most excellent quality
1t was the event itself which enSen-
dered the enthusiasm. have always
believed. and do now believe. that had
Bryan accepted the nomination in In
diana instead of New York be would
now be president
Everybody who takes any interest in
the workings Of the lower house Of con-
sress will be glad to know that the
Hon. Henry D. Clayton Of Alabama
has been renominated. He is q young
man OF extraordinary force OF char
acter. handsome. courageous. capable
and honest as the day is long. He has
been in congress some years, is 4 mem
Der of the national committee, and rs