The Opelousas courier., 1902-08-02
Washington, ID. C., News.
Irom our Regular Correspondent.

W WASHINGTON, July 26, l9OZ.
Senator Cockrell OF Missouri has
spent some time in Washington
during the past week and has been
frequently at the Democratic head
quarters. When asked by news
paper men for his views i'll regard
tee.the situation in his party, he has
Invariably replied that the situa-
tion was most encouraging, but
that he did not deem it wise to
talk much at the present time. In
u word, the Senator says that If
the democrats will work quietly
and energetically, each in his own
district, this fall, and will leave
national issues for the future, there
is every reason to assume that pub
lie opinion will have so shaped it.
self before 1904 as to leave no ques-
tion in the minds Of the leaders as
to what are the issues which will
command support. The Senator
appears to be quite certain of dem
ocratic success in 1904, and he an
ticipates that gains will be made
this fall, but, unlike some of the
younger members of his party, he
is believer in accomplishing per-
feet harmony by following the old
fashioned injunction, "Say nothing
| and saw wood"
Whatever other issues may arise
and whatever prominence present
issues man attain, there is no doubt
in the minds of the democratic lead
ers in Washington that tariff revi-
sion will constitute an important
feature of the platform on which
the democrats will appeal for sup
port in 1904. No faith is placed in
Mr.. Roosevelt's intention to procure
legislation which will actually ham
per the trusts, and even if he could
demonstrate his own sincerity, the
democrats appreciate his inability
to accomplish anything in that di-
lrection. AS the natural course OF
the trusts will be to become more
powerful and more overbearing,
there is little doubt but that the
people will be glad to, seek relief
from their eXtortions at the only
source from which there is the least
hope of obtaining it. Senator Gar
mack, who apparently believes, at
least to some extent, in Mr.. Roose-
velt's sincerity, predicts that when
the President comes to appreciate
the true relations existing between
the republican party and the trusts
he will become 'sdemocratic ally"
but that view of the situation is not
generally entertained i'll Washing
ton.
Major James Parker, of the Ad-
Ijutant Generals Office, has made
public q statement of the officers
and men killed and wounded in the
Philippines between Feb. 4, 1899,
and July Is, 1902. The total num-
Der of men, including officers, sent
to the islands during the period
named was 127, 1888, Of which num-
Der 1862 lost their lives, 1852 by
disease and 4,47O from wounds or
similar causes. The average strength
| of the forces in the islands was ap-
proximately 100000 men. The num-
ber has been reduced to in the
neighborhood of 10000, but the
greatest anxiety is expressed as to
the rayages of cholera which it is
feared may rapidly increase the
death rate. The returns from the
islands show examples of the great
est heroism on the part of soldiers
} doing hospital duty. Many have
t exposed themselves to cholera in
$ order to nurse their fellow soldiers
e with apparently no thought as to
= their own safety.
It is generally believed that the
President is planning an extensive
western trip for this fall, and in re
9 questing his cabinet officers te
speak from the platform in suppor
: of his administration is following
. the inspiration of President Cleve
. land, who secured the nomination
of his party in the face of opposi
. : tion by the democratic leaders. |
u is believed that Mr.. Roosevelt ap
, preciates the efforts which are be
l. ing covertly but not the less surel,
g made to prevent his nomination 70
e q second term, and that he relic
on his ability to capture popula
sentiment to force the republican
e leaders to nominate him in 1904
" The President has frankly avowe'
Ie his desire of securing the nOmiua
N tion to succeed himself, and care
= full scrutiny of the callers at Oyste
ic Bay during his vacation will revea
y the care with which he is laying hi
~ plans and the effort he is maxim
- TO establish himself in an impres
= nable position.