The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-01-29

most influential of the republican poll
ticians, admitted to me the other day
that for a time Mr. Hanna and his ass
ciates had been greatly alarmed at the
tendency of the German to get away from
the party. though he believed that the
argument on the Philippines question had
brought the leading papers around; but
just at the time when things seemed TO
be n little better from their point or
view. this Boer question comes along to
complicate matters and to add TO their
troubles They see that the overwhelm-
Ing sentiment. not only of the Germans,
but Of the people of this country. Is
against the English, and they realize that
this sentiment can undoubtedly be turned
by the democrats into political account
The party which stands for the ultimate
independence of the Philippine islands,
just as il stands for the Independence or
Cuba, cannot consistently stand for anti
Boer sentiment. and the republican party
undoubtedly does. 1t is the knowledge
of this and the effect IT is having on the
people which is worrying the republican
politicians, and the administration is
scared.
Web Davis's Mission.
There are all sorts of denials of the re-
ports that Webster Davis, assistant sec
rotary of the interior, is down i'm South
Africa on any government mission. This
may be technically true. but the impress
sion Is gaining ground here I'm Washing
ton that Davis is down there as the err
sonal representative for the purpose of
discovering. if possible. some way to get
the administration out of the hole 1t
is in.
II is claimed that Davis went there
simply in his personal capacity and that
the administration is embarrassed bV the
reports to the contrary; but following
the announcement that he had been car
ried from Lorenzo Marquee to Pretoria in
President kruger's private car, comes the
discovery that a couple Of months before
the assistant secretary Of the interior
started on this health" trip into the war
country. he was preceded by his secre-
tary, an enterprising western newspaper
man. who gave it out that he had re-
signed his place. Those who knew the
young man thought the story tishy at
the time and now they are convinced
of It.
What They Think.
They believe that MIR. Davis, who is
personal and political friend of the pres
ident, has gone there at his suggestion
with the view of getting at the exact
facts and keeping me republican man
ayers ia toGch wv the real situation
down there.
This is but another evidence of the anx-
iety of the republicans and the import
ance with which they regard this Boer
war from a political standpoint. In the
meantime, there are rOusing Boer meet
ings all over the country and even the
conservative Mr.. Hale. of Maine, shows
the tendency 10 score the adminiStra-
ton for its friendship to England
Clay Introduces Bills.
Senator Cay has introduced several bills
today. one OF them provides for the ex-
tension of ranking privileges to the COM
missioners of agriculture of the several
states.
This bill came to Senator Clay from
the recent meeting of commissioners held
In New Orleans with the request that he
introduce it. 1t apples, of course. 10 Off
ciaI documents and communications and
would give to the commissioners of the
different states the rights now enjoyed
by the United States commissioner.
Senator Clay also introduced bill for
the classification OF letter carriers in first
and second class postofiiCes; also a bill to
provide for the election Of the president
for one term Of six years ana by the di-
rect vote OF the people of the entire coun-
try without regard to the electoral co..
lege. lie some time ago introduced a joint
resolution providing for the election OF
senator's by direct vote of the people.