The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-06
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 1902.


he republicans see it and under
stand its and understanding
it. they are taking counsel how to avoid
the disaster which threatens to deprive
them of control Of the executive and
legislative branches of the government.
The signs of revolt in their are
following fast upon the heels of n
another. With d large majority in both
houses of congress-, they can not con-
troll legislation. AS We mentioned sew
veraI days ago, republicans by uniting
with the democrats in the house de-
feated a pet scheme of the administra-
ton. In the senate we see leading re-
pub!icans opposing vigorously the most
imrortant of the party's measures Re-
pe&ted conferences have been held on
these measures, but the boiling republic
cans cannot be induced to accede to the
presidents wishes.
This is the condition of the party in
congress. How is it among the people?
Among them the disposition to break
through the lines is even more mani
fest. The latest and most significant
event is the action of the republican
congressional convention of the
Eleventh Wisconsin district. which by
resolution demanded d revision of the
tariff and the placing of all trust made
goods on the free list-an onslaught
upon two of the mainstays of the re-
publican partJ, high tariff and the
friendship of the big s~yndicates.
That these and other signs of the
times have caused uneasiness in repub-
lican headquarters is shown by the re-
cent occurrences at the White house.
There have been conferences of con-
Sressm5n and senators on the political
outlook. One held a few days ago, we
are told. was with congressman from
certain northwestern sections, whose
districts we're supposed to be in dan
ger. As q result of this meeting the
announcement was made Soon after
that the president next fall will make
a tour through that section.
\ still more significant circumstance
was the conference held at the White
house last Monday night, attended by
leading republicans of both houses. in
Guiding members of the nance COM
mittee of the senate n Of the house
ways and means committee. The chief
object of the conference was to discuss
the ACCESSIBILITY of attempting a revis-
ion of the tariff now or of taking up
the matter in committee during the re-
cess of congress-. with the view of pre-
senting n measure at the session con-
vening in December. The senators .op-
posed to the Cuban reciprocity plan
say they will agree to a revision of the
whole tariff. but are opposed to a
change in one article only.
After the adjournment of this con-
ference the president discussed with a
number of senators his pet scheme
Cuban reciprocIty-and the stand taken
against it by a conference of eighteen
republican senators held that morning.
The general sentiment at this confer
ence was to defeat any measure for re-
c~iprocity the administration might pro-
pose. but those present agreed to sup
port a rebate plan. the money to be
Ddlu 10 lUe Nubdh SoN IlIICIAl- II
White house conference decided that
this compromise could not be accepted.
Senator Pritcnard. the staunch sup
porter OF the administration. was one
of the eighteen senators holding the
anti-reciprocity conference. While de-
claring his opposition to the conces-
sions TO Cuba. he will not go so far as
to bolt any caucus action on the sub
ject.
Another very significant piece of
Washington nevs is that the republic
cans will hold back and let the demo-
Gratis take the initiative in formulating
the programme for the congressional
campaign. Such determination. in di-
rect opposition to their usual habit of
rushing in at the start and attempting
to force on the democrats the issues
upon which they desire 20 conduct the
campaign shows most clearly that they
are at sea as to what is the best man
ner Of conducting their campaign; that
they are fearful of the results In 9TH
er words, they are afraid to take the
offensive and prefer to await the at
tack of their opponents. In fact, the
campaign has already begun in the
halls OF congress and the republicans
have been put on the defensive.
Scarcely ever before have the demo-
Gratis a brighter prospects for winning
a decisive victory. The opportunity
has been made for them. All they have
to do is to take advantage of it wisely,
j~udiciously. Up to this point fortune
and the mistakes of republicans have
pat them on vantage ground. If they
do not maintain their position it will be
their " fault Defeat can come only
through making ~egregious mistakes
between now and the day of election.
That account of a mountain in
Alaska opening up and Spouting out
cold ashes and dust sounds mighty