The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-28
ROOSEVELT UNEASY OVER
. NEXT WEEKS ELECTIONS
Alabama Office Holders May Be Sent to the BLOCK
to AppeaSe the Negroes of North
ern States.

the excuse for his removal. but politics
was the reason. So 1t is said in WASH
ington.
II the President removes other Office
holders In Alabama, he will punish the
very men who were instrumental in Sc
curing his endorsement by the State Con-
vention which assembled in Birmingham
Had it not been for the strenuous efforts
of Federal officials. that convention would
have not endorsed Mr.. Roosevelt, and as
1t was the endorsement was practically
carried by small majority. Mr.. Vaughn
himself, although removed from office,
supported the President, but Winston
Smith. subsequently made the party nom
inee for Governor, stoutly opposed the
Presidents endorsement.
The Republican Convention that met in
Birmingham was Enthusiastically a Hanna
convention In all that assemblage there
were not dozen delegates who were at
heart Roosevelt men. If there were any
method of demonstrating the truth, 1t
would be found that practically there are
no Roosevelt Republicans in Alabama.
They are Hanna men. almost to man.
And while it is idle to speculate, upon
the eve Of the election, little while will
probably demonstrate that Mr.. Hanna
will be a candidate against Mr.. Roose-
welt for the nomination in 1904.
Wise men in Washingt0n-more par
ticularly veteran newspaper men who are
not swayed by clamor-hold that the sit
uation of the Republican party as regards
next weeks election is critical. 1t seems
now that the Democrats will elect ma
jority of the next House of Representa-
tives, and there is amazement that any
Democratic leader should publicly speak
with disfavor regarding such an outcome
of the struggle which is now nearing the
end.
The President is said to be uneasy, and
therefore there need be no surprise If
this week witnesses the removal of lilly
yhite' Republican Office. holders in the
South. A further lining-up of the negro
vote in the North may be deemed essen
tial and therefore other Southern office
holders may be sent to join Mr.. Vaughn
in retirement.
One fact In the closing days of the
political campaign should not be over
looked by those who arc estimating the
final result, and that is. the President has
by settling the anthraciate coal strike
added vastly to his personal prestige
They are wrong who argue that one
mans personality does not affect national
elections. 1t was the masterful PERSONAL
ity of Mr.. Cleveland that twice elected
him President. Neither great party is in
the majority in this country. The non
Democratic and on-Republican voters
fix the fate of national candidates for Of
fee in this country. The Republican press
and leaders once loftily sneered at "stal-
warts and later at "mugwumps." and
those classes of voters cost that party
the presidency and both Houses of Con-
gress. A similar fate overlook the lem
ocratic party for somewhat similar rea-
sons Democratic Boss Bernard. out in
Ohio, characterizes now certain preach
er-candidate of his party for a State of
fee as a damned fool for trying to
drive away a certain class of Voters. The
language is rude, but most of us applaud
the logo
The coal strike commission began its
work in Washington this afternoon. and
as the sittings are to be public The Ad-
vertiser will from day to day print the
substance Of the proceedings. In the
personnel of the commission the most alb
solute confidence is placed by all classes
of the population, which Is another argu-
ment that personality means a great deal
in public affairs In this relation 1t was
of wide public interest that Bishop Spald
ing, the only ecclesiastic on the Commits
sion, preached in ST. Patrick's Church,
rick's is one of the largest houses of wor
ship in this country. hundreds of people
who sought admission for the privilege of
hearing Bishop Spalding. were turned
away The three broad aisles were
crowded with people seeking seats, the
crowds reaching up almost to the high
altar, and the ushers had much trouble
in trying to clear way for the pew and
seat holders.
Rev. Dr. j. D. Stafford. rector of St.
Patricks and accounted one of Amer
ica's greatest orators and most consecrat-
ed men, declared to the congregation that
Bishop Spalding lis the most distinguish
ed and most cultured member OF the
American hierarchy" Broadly speaking,
the Bishops theme was the absolute ne
cessity of God and the love of God in
everyday life and the inestimable value
Of friendship and comradeship amongst
men. In other words. it was a noble plea
for 1.-The universal brotherhood the par
lament of man." obtainable alone
through love of God 1t was an extraor-
binary sermon from a most extraordinary
man.
Bishop Spalding reminded me of a
clean-shaven Gladstone, with Gladstones
wonderful witchery Of language.
Iucien Julien Walker.