Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-07-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent

(From our Regular Correspondent
Washington, June 15.-That there
are a number of republicans, some of
them prominent, who would like to
prevent the election of "Dave Hender-
son, Speaker of the next House is cer-
tain, but it is equally certain that there
are not enough of them to do it, Con-
sequently. the stories of an organiza-
ton to try to defeat Henderson, are
moOnshine. Politicians do not know
ingly butt their heads against stone
walls. 1t there were even a fighting
chance to beat Henderson,, the fight
would be made, but as there ism t. the
men who dislike him most are likely
to be found shouting the loudest for
his nomination by reclamation. in or
der that they may not be left out when
he distributes the Committee plums.
Personally, Henderson tavOrs tariff re-
form of some sort. although he plob-
ably does not go as far as Repre- senta
tive Babcock, but what his personal
opinions are, will not affect the result,
as he has record showing that there
is never any difficulty OF his being COM
pletely controlled by the party bosses.
That is one req son why his re elect ion
was assured before the adjournment of
the last Congress. The bosses know
his measure and do not care to take
any chances with new man.
Democrats have done great deal of
liking among themselves about IL q
Ohio Democratic platform, but few of
them care to express opinions about it
for publication. One of the excep-
tions is Representative Bankhead. of
In xuho ooil of
torn is all right and should receive the
support OF every democrat in the Buck
eye state. 1t confirms to existing con-
ditiOns and states the issues of the
campaign in language clear enough for
anybody to understand IsuppOse the
republicans thought the democrats
would reaffirm the Kansas City plat
form and renew allegiance to Mr..
Bryan and all that sort of thing. But
they were fooled. MI. Bryan, 1 am
satisfied, is as popular with the demo
Gratis OF Ohio, as he was in 1896 and in
1910, but there was no need or neces-
sity to discuss him in the State Con-
vention. 1t would have added nothing
to have placed free silver in the plat
form, and it might have caused divi-
sion in the ranks. AS it is, the Ohio
democrats have agreed to bury the
past and have formed a line of battle
on conditions that have arisen since
the last campaign. l believe as Con.
ventions are held in other states, the
people will witness the democratic
leaders following IN the footsteps of
the Ohio democrats. The democrats
of the South have the greatest respect
for Mr.. Bryan and he can always de.
pend upon royal welcome when be
comes among us. 1t does not signify
that he has lost popularity, when the
democrats in Convention decline to
mention in state platforms the issues
as set forth in the late National Con-
vention. We must meet changed con-
ditions and that cannot be done by
sticking to the issues of the past" AS
to immediate national issues, Mr..
Bankhead said: 1.-THE republicans seem
to be divided On the question of tariff
revision and the adoption of reciprocity
treaties. l am in favor of tariff reyi-
sion and 1t must come sooner or later.
l am opposed to trusts and | believe
that the only way to kill the trusts is
to pass revenue tariff. Havemeyer
says that the tariff is the mother of
trusts, and he ought to be good au-
thOrity.
The charges against the Collector of
Internal Revenue at Louisville, Ky.,
of having violated the Civil Service
law, together with the opinion of the |
Civil Service Commission that the evil |
dence sustains the charges, have been |
referred to Mr. Mckinley, AS it is |
we'll known that the violations of law,
OF which there is no doubt, was insti-
gated by the repu blican bosses in Ken
lucky, under ordinary circumstances.
Mr.. Mckinley would not deem it adj
vlsable to take any action that could |
be regarded as a rebuke to them. but
rumOr says the circumstances in this
case are not ordinary, and that there
Is concealed therein plot, which in
wolves the election of successor to
Senator Deboe. According to this
rumor, Mr.. Mckinley is being urged
to take advantages Of these charges to
remove Collector Sapp, and to appoint
In his place j. A. Trait, former dem
ocrat, and a part of the plot is that
Col. Il. w. Knott, editor of the Louis.
Vile Post, who processes to be demo-
,rat. but who supported Mckinley in
1896 and IN 1900, and who is now SUP.
porting the administration policy, is to
De sent to the Senate as an administra-
ion Senator by the combined votes OF
administration democrats. and repub-
leans. AS the story is told in Wash
ngton, Col. Knott pledges himself to
Jet enough Of his kind of democrats
lected to the Kentucky legislature to
make majority with the republicans
'dded' Perhaps when the story be.
comes known IN Kentucky, the demo-
rats will be able to make it impossible
or Col. Knott to carry out his part of {
he plot, even if Mr.. Mckinley agrees
o become party to it.