New-York tribune., 1902-08-24
NOT EAGER FOR TICT0RF.

,, ,o-rible suspiciop seems TO be gaining
Ground that the Hon Jim Grggs-the hon'
Grim Jicgs as he has been duoDed L! lne
,-reverent paragraphers-is not making an aDso
Ir+elv whole hearted effort to capture the next
House of Representatives Chairman GriSgs
csnabilities as a majority getter nave never
been tested in a very difficult or exactlnS heio
Down in Georgia however. he has several tlnes
ewept the lid Congress District so enectuahE
that vould-be rivals have gladly sought opllVlon
in the scattering column. But Whatever tne
Georgia stateSman's talents may De as d uis
,nsver If onposition. there is whisper abroad
that he is not throwing into the Democratic
Congress Committees campaign all that her
er,ean energy which enabled him two years ago
70 cut the vote against him in his own district
IN the beccarly total Of a. IL the Judge
were really In earnest, II is argued why
This long delay in publishing the Democratic
handbook: why this constant struggle and tric-
lion over party policies: why this dreary wait
snr for q Unifving issue which obstinately re-
fuses 10 turn up?
II begins TO look indeed, as il some deep
strategy underlay the Democratic Congress
Committees programme OF discord ana lhacuon
Does il merely want 10 seem deslrous OF VIII
ming the next House Of Representatives, Whlle
actually hoping TO lose II: There are not want
ing Democratic oracles who have openly depre-
Gated control of the lower branch OF Congress
during the two closing years Of President Roose-
relr's term as bona fide party calamity Not
long ago SO enlightened friend OF the Eastern
wing of the national organization as The Bos-
Ton Herald warned the Washington managers
that IL was only common prudence" TO forego a
victory at the polls this fall. "Ihe Democrats
suggested this discouragitg mentor, cannon
-r%rl afPf.lf lfTsleF
slower house; but they can have forced on them
s'the duty Of acting as scapegoats for RepuDii-
scan Shortcomings If they are prudent they
will not make strenuous efforts TO deprive their
s.Repabican opponents of what is just now q
s.passessiop Of highly questionable advantage"
Rur there is even more orthodox support than
this Boston newspapers for the contention that
Democratic success this year might prove
genuine party disaster. Senator George G.
Vest of Missouri. confessed frankly in July.
tust after Congress had adjourned that he
thought the Democratic party in no condition
10 assume q year hence the burdens OF leSis-
latiTe responsibility. Even Colonel ". j. Bryan
has expressed doubt as 10 the wisdom or
exDediency of recapturing the House. On his
last trip East at Mountain Lake Park, Nd, he
said TO an interviewer:
Il II were possible TO elect a House OF Repre-
sentatves q majority OF Wnorl are reaI Deihos
Gratis, holding the faith OF the party and
willing TO act as . unit. II would enable Us to
give the country striking object lesson as 10
what we would do If placed In control OF the
several branches OF the government But II we
are to elect majority In Congress composed OF
men of varying conplexions of Democracy. men
who will quarrel among themselves as 10 ways
and means, without definitely proposing or &C
compliehing anything. then we wouic be in the
position Of having 10 bear all the odium Of
negative session without having achieved the
slightest beneficial resuits.
Beyond question Chairman Griggs can quote
most unimpeachable authority. II he cares to
Justify his haiting and rudderless campaign
Responsibility is about the last thing In the
world to be desired by q party which has no
common beliefs and which could not unite on
any possible legislative programme. Realizing
this himself and having it dinned into him by
other party leaders. ii is no wonder that Mr.
GFiggs Ia conducting his Congress canvass on