Middletown transcript., 1902-11-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9th, 100

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9th, 1902.
CTATE and governmental affairs in
- Washington have given place this
week to interest in the state campaigns,
and every scrap of gossip reaching the
National Capitol is eagerly seized and
construed according to the political affilia-
tions of the construer. No serious anxiety
as to the complexion of the next House
is felt, although it is admitted that there
is danger that in some states the Demo-
Gratis will cut down majorities unless the
Republicans "wake up" and come to the
polls and vote. There is no dissatisfac-
ton with the administration, but so
general is the prosperity that it has been
impossible to scare up any enthusiasm,
and the only real danger to Republican
prospects lies in the indifference and in
gratitude of men who if they voted at all
would vote the Republican ticket.
~
Chairman Babcock has so far refrained
from making estimates on New York
State, but gentleman attached to Re-
publican headquarters is authority for
the statement that, conceding the Demo-
Gratis all the doubtful districts, the State
will send to Washington majority of
twenty-five representatives, while if Re-
publican hopes fructify, the majority will
be about thirty. Ohio, which is regarded
as the next most important state, will
show no Republican losses say the fore
casters, and it is hoped to gain two
Democratic districts. Tom johnson is
said to be making much noise, but few
votes and his attacks upon some of the
leaders of his own party are regarded as
likely to estrange many Democrats. Al
though formerly protesting allegiance to
Mr.. Bryan, be has practically repudiated
him now and many Democrats, it is
claimed, will punish him for his treach-
cry by remaining away from the polls.
~
Indiana is claimed by the Republicans
to be absolutely out of danger. The oya-
tions which have been accorded Senator
Hanna have been almost unprecedented
and there is every indiction of Republi-
can success. From the state Of Washing:
ton comes the statement that even the
Democratic leaders privately concede the
state to their opponents and that their
campaign is merely perfunctory. The
three representatives from Washington
are elected ''at large" as the state has
never been districted, and all Of them
will be Republicans. The chief interest
in Washington, however, is in the COM
plexion of the legislature which will
elect a successor to Senator Turner,
Democrat. That the next Senator will
be Republican is foregone conclusion
and ex-senator Wilson and Ex-Governor
Mograw are regarded as the leading can
didates.
~
On Friday last, the members of the An
thracite Coal Strike Commission, as it
will hereafter be officially known, met at
the White House and, after receiving in
structions from the President and setting
to-day as the date of their first formal
meeting, were entertained at luncheon by
Mr.. Roosevelt. They will first hear
President Mitchell and the operators, or
their representatives, in regard to the
time and place most convenient for them
to make their representations to the CON-
mission. On their recommendation the
place and dates of future meetings will
be determined. 1t is impossible to fore
tell how long the Commission will be
engaged in its labors, but there is a gen.
eral Impression that its work will be
completed in not less than three months
and some set the time for completion
much earlier. 1t is by no means prob
able that their report will be made to the
President in time to permit him to en-
body their recommendations in his annual
message, and it is anticipated that he will
make the report the basis for a special
message at some subsequent date.
~
Representative F. H. Gillett, of Massa-
chusetts, come to Washington one day
last week to see the President and talked
Interestingly of the situation in his State
He said that the victory of Mr.. Foss in
the nomination in the tenth
district on a tariff reform platform, was
of little significance and that there was
little tariff revision sentiment in the
State. Contrary to expectations, there
was little heard of imperialism outside of
q few districts, and even in those it failed |
to touch any responsive chord among the
voters. He said that the Republicans
now had eleven out of the thirteen dis |
tricts in the State and they had great |
hopes of carrying one more. Up to a
short time ago they believed they would |
be able to carry both the Democratic |
districts but the situation had undergone
some change and the ninth district was
now conceded to the Democrats. He |
,aid the French reciprocity treaty was
opposed by the people of his State, and
hat the representatives of Massachusetts,
N Congress would feel compelled to work
against its ratification because its provis-
ons would prove seriously injurious to
he State.
~
The latest reports from Nebraska are
.egarded as most interesting and en-
,ouraging. 1t is felt that the Republicans
will make practically clean sweep, not
the efforts of Mr.. Bryan
Who is on the stump. 1t is confidently
tated that Representative Burkitt will
AIRY the first district by $500 majority;
Mercer the second district by not less
han a thousand, and Mccarthy the third
" not less than 600. Secretary Wilson
eft Washington recently on tie invita-
ion Of Mr. Mercer and 1t is reported
poke at Omaha and other points with
,ood effect 1t has been the studious
,ffort of the President to render eyery
proper assistance within his power to the |.
Republican candidates throughout the
and between now and election
Low of Iooct thren mnmhara af tho Hob;uat