The age-herald., 1900-06-01
POLITICAL GOSSIP FROM
 NATIONAL CAPITAL

Washington, May 91.-(Special)- sit uation in China is being watched with the keenest interest by the officials of the state department and by men in public life who are appreeiative of it's grave possibilities. It seems evident that the Boxer dem onstration is of far more gravity than ex- pected, and that it can easily develop so as to threaten the stability of the Chinese empire. The Chinese government so far seems utterly unable to prevent the de- struction of foreign property by the BOX ers,' or even to protect foreigners. The chief trouble with the outbreak is that it gives the desired excuse to Russia, Ger many, France and Italy to engage in the partition of China which Great Britain and the United States have opposed, though the latter has taken no direct steps to offset the movement At the present moment Great Brtain's hands are so fully occupied in South Africa that she can do nothing to prevent the partitioning of the empire, which the inability of the Chinese government to keep peaceful, might seem to justify.
 The fact that marines have been sent from the Newark to protect the American legation at Pekin is not surprising, nor does it indicate in any sense determina- tian on the part of the United States tot meddle with the muddle. It is simply a step to protect our representatives in China, and such Americans and foreigners as seek asylum at our legation. Only a short time ago marines were sent to Pekin for similar purpose.
 The agreement of the powers, at the solicitation of the TTnitpd States to pra serve the open door in China gives us the comforting thought that even if China be partitioned our commercial interests will not suffer- but that agreement may not be strong enough to resist the temptation that will come to Russia and Germany and France to promote their own commercial advantages of the opportunity offers to do so at time when we are not in position to insist upon having the pledges kept In other words, long as we are strong enough to insist on our rights, that long will the agreement hold Meantime the present outbreak interferes with trade and is a decidedly disturbing element that may easily become seriously menacing.
 The determination of the republican con- gressonal committee 10 depart from the policy of the past and establish it's head quarters at Chicago instead of Washing ton, is significant of the belief that the control of the next house is to be won or lost in Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wis consin, Michigan, Indiana and the western states. It is held that it will be easier for the campaigns in these important states to be managed from Chicago than from Washington. The members of the con- gressional committee can thus be in closer touch with the republican national commit- tee and with the party leaders in the states where the hardest fight is to be waged. Doubtless a sub-headquarters will be maintained by the congressional com mittee in Washington for the purpose of readily obtaining the information that is available, just as the national committee will do, but the real. work is to be done in Chicago.
 The republicans are very well aware, though they do not say much about it pub licly, that it will be far easier for the dem- ocrats to carry the house than the 9resi- dency changes of d comparatively few votes in a score of districts giving the dem- ocrats control; whereas it will require the winning of several states to elect Bryan. Or course there may be landslide that will give the democrats majority in the house and the presidency easily, but even the most enthusiastic democrats will admit that there is a better prospect of control- ling the house than of electing MT. Bryan though the average democrat is inclined to think that MT. Bryan will be elected.
 It is expected that the democratic con- gressinoal committee will also have its chief
 ~l. t,t to that has been decided as yet.
 Without assigning any reasons the com mittee of the senate privileges and elections has reported adversely on the house resolution recently passed by tre- mendous majority, providing for a con- stitutional amendment for the election of senators by the direct vote of the people. Thus another obstacle is placed in the way of that reform. But Senator Hoar has a new proposition, and his bill has been favorably reported from the same commit- tee. He would have law passed permit ting a plurality of the members of the legislature to choose senator. This he thinks would do away with legislative deadloSks which have become so frequent in late years.
 The senate is waiting to act upon the house resolution for adjournment on June 6, to see what progress is made in confer ence with the appropriation bills, there be- ing several in regard to which there is serious disagreement between the two houses If the conferees of each house are especially stubborn, it vii be impossible to adjourn by the 6th because the en- rolling clerks will require a day and a half after all agreements have been reached to compare the bills and enroll them. At present congress is working with unwonted energy and it Is to be expected that if it cannot adjodrn by the 9th, it certainly can by the 9th Or 1th.
 WORKED THE SHERIFF