The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-04
Mr.. M'KINLEY'S TRIP
POLITICIANS CAN'T FATHoM IT'S
OBJECT.
NO THIRD TERM IN SIGHT.
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS HOLD A
PARTY CAUCUS.

Favor - Southern Off1ce-hOlders
cot no Comfort From the Presi-
dent Before His Recent Departure.
washington, May 3.-Poiticians here
and in New York are trying to figure out
,ba real significance of President Nc
z-irlev's spectacular trip to the Pacific
mast. OF course it sounds well to say
that the President is ectuated entirely
nv local state pride in attending the
launching of the battleship Ohio which is
baing constructed at California ship
,srd. On the other hand there are per-
sons who declare that he has wider and
deeper motives in making such a pro-
racted journey at this time. The cere-
monv and the demonstration connected
with the trip have been so carefully ar
ranged for that it is difficult for profess
soual politicians to see anything but
big political play of some kind on the
mart of the Republican administration. 1t
has been suggested that the President is
In search of personal enlightenment on
The subject of the Nicaragua canal prob
lem which it appears met its fate last
a interests
on the Pacific coast. There are others
who intimate that he may have an idea
of testing 1.-The Mckinley luck' TO the
extent Of making a try for a third term
in the White House. This latter theory
does not receive the sanction or sup
port of practical politicians who are in
disposed to credit Mr.. Mckinley with any
in hat
presidents of Grant and Cleveland be-
fore MIN.
As the presidential excursion progresses
practical politicians of both par,les will
follow the trail closely for such develop
ments as may furnish the key to the
situation, from an administration stand
point
The Democratic Party's Plight.
In the meantime some of the wise men
Of the Democratic party are seriously
considering the line of policy which will
enable them to go into the next presiden-
tIal campaign with renewed prospects of
success. Several distinguished Democrats
who have had experience in the public
service met together informally a few
evenings ago and INDUCED in a heart TO
heart talk on the future of the Democratic
party. The general sentiment expressed
was to the effect that owing to misman-
agement, personal jealousies, and the in
PRODUCTION of discordant elements into
the party councils, the Democratic party
to-day is badly off for national issues up-
on which to base a presidential campaign
1t was suggested that it will be futile
for the party to enter the next national
contest with a general declaration of op-
position to everything Republican, good,
bad or Indifferent claimed to be the ba-
sis OF the success of the present admin
isuatlon. One of the shrewdest and at
the same time one of the most practical
and successful members of the group de-
clared that instead of trying to revive the
dead issues of the last two campaigns it
would be better for the Democratic party
to come out boldly and demand a fair di-
vision of the responsibility and credit for
the nations wonderful commercial pros
perlty, its military achievements by land
ana by sea, and select a leader who has
not been too closely identified with either
OF the two factions which have kept the
party so widely scattered during the past
eight or ten years. A number of names
were mentioned including former Senator
Hill former Senator German, Tom John
son recently elected Mayor of Cleveland;
carter Harrison of Chicago, ard several
other possibilities who have figured more
or less directly or indirectly in national
lohtics. The name which seemed to Of
Ter the greatest element of possible sue
cess was that of Richard Olney of Mas
fachusetts, former Attorney General and
later Secretary of State in Mr.. Cleveland's
cabinet.
Richard OIney's Claims.
While there were several objections
raised against considering Mr.. Olney as
available material in a presidential race,
Tue closer the subject was weighed, the
stronger and more invulnerable he be-
.ame In the first place, there is no
uououng his ability, his Americanism and
4 ,lS aggressive manner in doing what he
DeneVes TO be right and proper in national
aHdirs No one can question his personal
integrity or his loyalty to the Democratic
i party and at the same time he cannot
~ accused of being professional politi-
aM lie would not, perhaps, appeal to
uns ward healers and state wire pullers
4 0'I II was urged that if Mr.. Olney would
4 Oo4seht TO take up the Democratic stand
"'l IN the next campaign, and challenge
4 'Ie republican party to mortal combat
y" i've issues, based on aggressive and
aggressive methods with due regard to
''e pest interests of the American peo-
pc he might unite the party and lead
10 victory.
1 Durlng the conversation which ensued,
' was stated that the Democratic party
'anhot afford to attack liberal expendit-
UleS or the public money, providing said
expenditures are just and equitable.
Nei'ner can it afford to pursue the free
s"Fef craze idea any further under exist
.'s conditions. While the country is en-
yVylhs an era of unbounded prosperity at
nOine and abroad the Democratic party
i'S right to revise its political creed
necessary, and frame q platform which
ueas with existing conditions and not
'uumental theories of the dim and dis
'ut past
The Southern Pie brigade.
~ seemed almost cruel for President
Slehlney to leave Washington without
rsThutng few crumbs of comfort and
assurance to the army Of Southern office
O'q'is who hurried to Washington at he
.,'l note of alarm to the effect that the
-mInstration was behind the movement
d" NVor Of organizing a white Repubh-
va" party in the South, The agitation OF
subject in all the leading papers OF
country created CONSERVATION In the
,aliNs or the faithful followers Of the
a'aua Old Party in the Southern states
'I oeleeations FASTENED TO the nation al
1p"' 10 make a personal investigation
'1e conditions here. North Carolina,
'h Carolina Georgia, Florida Ala
1'Na' tennessee, Mississippi and Louisi-
'' were represented here by Federal Of
'Is Of high and low degree. black and
',. some with inhunce and some with