The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-31
capital Chat.
Washington Gossip. Political and
Otherwise. for the Readers
Of the Globe.

WASHINGTON, March 29.-(Special -
A political observer Of considerable prom
inence furnished for publication a few
days ago the following interesting resume
from Washington city standpoint:
Gossip as to the coming campaign is
becoming more lively every day In Wash
ingten political circles. 1t Is rather I'M
usual that there Is little, If any, doubt that
the presidency lies between two men.
Nothing remains but the choice Of vice
presidential candidates. Both candidates
should logically come from the East, pre-
ferably from New York A number of
names OF New Workers. have been sug-
gested as possibilities for the Republican
nomination. and all have respectfully de-
citned, except Hon. Timothy Woodruff,
who really seems to want 1t.
Representatives Sulzer and Levy, of
New York, have their kites up waiting
for the political lightning to strike, and
both entertain the hope Of being chosen
as the running mate of w. ]. Bryan. AS
matters begin to shape themselves for the
next campaign 1t seems that with the
exception of the two presidential can
| dtdates, 1t Will not be the same as 1t was
last campaign. The issues must be diff
ferent, and on these issues the battle will
be fought In the East rather than In the
West. New issues are lying around in
abundance While the Democrats have
been somewhat divided on the question of
expansion, they are unit as to imperial
ISM and In their antagonism to the first
of the ultra imperialistic measures pro-
posed In congreSs-the uerto Rican tariff
blli-they have received the hearty sup
port and sympathy of the country
The Democratic party has received val
liable assistance from the enemy The
Republicans furnished their opponents a
most powerful weapon in the form of this
d1stasteful, unpopular tariff measure 1t
is no wonder the Repub can members Of
congress want to adjourn as soon as pos
sible. Every day the session is prolong-
ed the greater becomes tae danger Of
furnishing the Democrats with additional
campaign material.
The members of the house committee
on interstate and foreign commerce still
cherish the hope of obtaining g. discus
sion at least Of the canal blil But the
bill controverts the -Pauncefote
treaty, and will not be permitted to pass
until that matter Is disposed Of and 1t
looks as if 1t may be permitted to die
peaceabiy In the committee on foreign
relations.
The ship subsidy bill cannot be passed
this season. because the Republican men,
pers or congress want nothing additional
to explain on the stump next fall The
Puerto Rico will be pouring oil on the
flames, yet 1t is difficult to see how the
republican party can face the people In
November without providing a civil gov
eminent for that island
In this connection the discussion Of the
management Of the next campaign be-
comes especially pertinent. Mr. Bryan is
oy no means averse to a reconciliation
with the old leaders, and the prospect Of
an active participation In the campaign
by such old wheel horses as German. FIill.
whitney and others has revived the East
ern Democracy and given the whole party
new life
The rumors regarding the retirement OF
senator Jones as chairman Of the national
committee have been revived No enc
disputes the ability of Mr.. Jones or the
high respect entertained for him, but
many are of the opinion that he is far
from the ideal campaign manager There
appears to be good ground for the impress
sion that he may be retired ut the be-
ginning Of the campaign. and. as already
mentioned. there Is some talk CT Mr.. Cor
man as his successor
There will be important and interesting
developments at the PhiladelphiaL national
Republican convention The situation on
June 10 next will not be satisfactory to
the Republicans. A great deal Of trouble
has been stirred up by the Republican
leaders over the Puerto Rican bill It
may be an obstacle In their pathway at
Philadelphia. Time will tell, however, lust
what the delegates at this convention viii
decide upon. That the silver question
will be overshadowed at PHILADELPHIA Is
certainty, and 1t will be with the advice
and consent of President Mckinley,
Chairman Hanna and other Rerublican
leaders.
1t seems impossible for the delegates
at the Philadelphia convention to attempt
to deal with the silver question in any
way satisfactory to the Republican party
All this Is because the present Republican
congress has passed the single gaId stand
ard bill and the president has approved
the same. Silver, therefore, Will not fig
ure as a prominent issue on the Repub-
ltcan platform In 1900 There is a posi-
bility. however, that President Mckinley 8
purpose of making his war policy the
leading issue of 1900 will fail. He has had
so much opposition in dealing with Puerto
Rico, Cuba and the Philippines that a
portion OF the delegates which nominate
him for the presidency will not favor all
the issues outlined by him, and which
he hopes will be incorporated in tho ma
tional platform of 1900 Maj Mckinley.
however. is q very determined man. hard
ly ever permits views antagonistic to him
to come to the fore in politics, and may
dominate all the delegates at Philadel-
phia, thereby forcing upon them all his
Ideas regarding the issues In the presidea-
tial campaign. Whether or not the voters
will stand by them next November re-
mains to be seen.
j S. Van Antwerp