The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-06-13
Presidential Troubles.

" 10 "o''ytuk OVcT tu0 UoW6
from China. The revolution of the
Boxers threatens to expose Mr.. McNin
ley's imperialistic programme concern.
ing China 10 advance of the Presideu-
tial election, which is just what be was
anxious to avoid. 10 their anxiety to
allay public suspicion at home, mem.
bers of the commission have been doing
some word juggling that would be
amusing it the matters were not COO
serious to laugh about. For instance,
Official statements to the press from the
State Department have emphasized the
alleged instructions to our Minister at
Pekin, aud to Rear Admiral Kempff,
our naval commander 10 Chinese wa.
ters. 70 act 10 concert with the Euro.
pean powers for the protection of
foreigners aud their property but not
to join combination Of the powers for
auy purpose. Our representatives over
there must be clever indeed it thoy can
act 10 concert with the European pow.
ers without combining with them.
A marked feature of the political
situation, is ths genuine scare of the
republican leaders over three states
which they have heretofore beeo claim.
ing ss certain to cast their electoral
votes for Mckinley. These states are
New York. Indiana and Illinois. In
New with Croker to look after greater
New York. aud Hill to look after the
other portions Of the State. pulling 10y.
ally together. the republicans realize
that the State will be doubtful: In
Indiana, tho State ticket nominated BY
the democrats, headed BY John W.
Kero. is 90 strong that Iadiaua Repub.
licaus have Notified tho leaders Of the
party that the State is 10 danger. In
lllino ois, the tide has been running anti
republican for some time, aud 90 peals
for help are being received 10 Wash
ington. This scare is 80 bad that
prominent republicans are saying that
it is useless to consider can didates from
other states for second place on the
Mckinley ticket; that be must be
taken from one Of chose three states
and must be MAJ who will add
strength to the ticket. Mr.. McKin.
ley has gone out Of his way to make
friends with Senator Mason, of Illinois,
who was spti.administration during the
recent session Of Congress. and has
succeeded 10 getting Mason to promise
to take the stump for him. Az Mason
isn't the sort OF man who can be WOO
over BY jollyipg. it is likely that be
has received some definite and iron clad
promises Of future patronage.
The industrial commission, so.called
has provided itself with q pleasant
summer juuket. sll Of the expenses Of
which will be paid by the "dear peo-
ple." 1t has decided that the indus.
trial conditions. principally Airtstious
and sucb. along the Northern Atlantic
coast. must be investigated during the
summer, aud has arranged for meeting &
of the commission during the neg,
three months. 10 Pennsylvsnia, New
Jersey, New York and the New Eng.
land States. One Of the fret duties OF
. democratic administration and con
gress will be to abolish the republicao O
government commission bumbug, which
has become go rampant and 90 expeu.
sive under tho Mckinley administra.
tioo.
| Chairman Payne of the house ways
and means committee has given away
the claim Of the republicans that the
reason they did not reduce war taxes at
the recent session of congress- was their
desire to have the committee gran,
hearings and study the question during
the recess. 90 that the right sort of bill
providing for che reduction might be
reported to the house, BY the official
announcement that tho committee
would not be called together until Just
before congress meets. In other words,
the question of the reduction of wsr
taxes is to be left opea until after cleo.
ton 10 order that ell the big intereets
may be taxed for the republican cam
paign fund.
| Secretary Long has advertised for
bids for furnishing armor plate for
battlesbips uuder the cowardly Law
forced through congress the last thing
before adjournment. making Mr. Long
do what the republicans Of Congress
we're ashamed to do-agree to the prices
of srmor set by the armor trust, which
will necessarily be the only bidder to
respood to the advertisement. True,
the law gives Mr.. Long authority to
reject the bids If be considers The price
too high. and to use the $4,000, 900
carried by the acs, for the establish me o :
Of government plant to make armor
plate. but it be scted upon that author
ity, the republican leaders who eugi
neered the oowardly make.sbift would
throw few Cts; they are fguriug on