The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-31
CLAY TALKS POLITICS
SENATOR'S IDEAS ON DEMocRACY's
. CHANCES.
CAN'T RELY ON THE WEST.
STATES OF THAT SECTION WILL GO
REPUBLICAN.

Clay Says New York, Indiana, New
Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware,
Maryland and the solid south Are
Needed to Elect Democratic
President-ParSer and German the
Strongest Men in the Democratic
Party-SIonroe Doctrine Means
Trouble.
Atlanta, Dec. Ex-senator A. S. Clay
was in the city to-day and spent some
time at the Capitol. Senator Clay is
preparing to return to Washington to
resume his congressional duties and
will leave for that city Thursday night.
The senator is taking keen interest
in party matters at present and is
watching every turn that is being
made.
A representative of the Morning
News met Senator Clay at the Capitol
and asked him for an expression re-
garding the coming struggle before the
party. He takes a most hopeful view.
1--WE must have New York, Indiana,
New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware,
Maryland and the solid South to elect
the next President" he said. 81 see no
chance to carry any of the Western
states. Nebraska is a Republican
state, Idaho and Colorado have recent
ly gone Republican, Kansas Is over
whelmingly Republican, and If we look
to the West to elect a national ticket
two years hence, with the present
lights before us, we have no hope of
success.
Can Carry New York.
New York can probably be carried
Democratic. We only lost that state
by small vote IN the recent guberna-s
torial election, and the Republican
nominee, the present Governor, was
probably stronger than his party.
Eat the present time, it is impossible
to say who the Democrats ought to
nominate. Conditions may change.
With the present lights before us, I
think Parker and German the strong
est men in the party, and If we cam
not succeed with one or the other of
these distinguished gentlemen, then 1
see no other available candidate.
"If the Democratic party should be
overwhelmingly defeated in the next
national election, then the party Will
be seriously crippled for future useful
ness. We must nominate a strong
ticket and one that will make a strong
racer overwhelming defeat means
ruin"
Senator Clay wGs asked about the
Venezuelan trouble. He seemed to
think the Monroe doctrine is liable to
involve the United States in consider
able difficulty, if great care is not ex-
ercised.
Fears for the Monroe Doctrine.
81 hope" he said, "the difficulty will
IA or cd x4rffh 81,
barrassing our country. Thoughtful
men realize that the country is threat
ened with danger in maintaining the
Monroe doctrine. Doubtless Germany
would be glad to see the United States
abandon this doctrine, and we are met
with the proposition when we attempt
to enforce it, that we have violated the
doctrine ourselves by going on the
other side of the world and attempting
to put into operation a government by
the United States.
Il may be mistaken, but fear some
day trouble, and serious trouble, will
ensue between our government and
foreign nations with regard to the
enforcement Of the Monroe doctrine"
No General Legislation.
With reference to the work of the
present Congress, Senator Clay said:
Il do not expect any general legisla-
ton at this Congress, except the pas
sage of the appropriation bills, a bill
to restrict immigration, and probably
the Senate will pass upon the bills to
admit New Mexico, Arizona and Okla
homa into statehood. The bill has
been passed by the House.
Cuban reciprocity will be discussed,
but it is extremely doubtful If it can
reach vote in the Senate during the
present session. unless the Republican
party should unite in support of the
measure.
81 see no signs of any antitrust leg
islation or any material revision of
the tariff. The Republican party does
not seem inclined to do anything, ex-
cept to pass the appropriation bills.
1 do not believe there will be any
extra session of Congress"