Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-11-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our Regular Correspondent


utmost vacillation and 1ndecision has
been shown by the President in hand
ling the silly white' movement in the
south is the opinion Of all who have
closely observed his actions In that
connection. Apparently Mr.. Roose-
welt has abandoned the enterprise as
hopeless and is now prepared to return
to the old custom of maintaining a
southern organization, with it's con-
comitants OF colored republican office
holders, etc. He has removed two fed
eral offieeholders in Alabama for their
activity In eliminating the negro from
the party councils and now 1t IL report
ed that be has removed District At
torney Warren 8. Reese for tho same
cause. For Considerable time. the
President encouraged Senator Jeter
G. Pritchard to believe that he would
have the assistance OF the federal ad'
ministration in his project. Senator
Prltchard explained most forcibly to
the President that the only hope of
building up a successful republican
party in the south must be based on
the elimination of the negro and show
ed him that so long as republicanism
stood for negro officeholGers, the bet
ter element of the south would vote
democratic regardless Of their con-
victions on national issues. Now, Mr..
Roosevelt has abandoned the Senator
and has returned to the old custom.
That he has done 80 is believed to
anger that he expects to favor the re-
striction of southern representation in
Congress and that he believes he must
take the step in order to solidify the
southern delegations to the next ma
tional convention. Soon after the
convention Of Congress, it is said, Rep
resentatives Dick and Crumpacker,
will be called in conference with the
President and several members of the
Cabinet to consider tho subject Of re-
stricting southern representation and
| it is for that reason that Mr.. R0ose
welt has determined to revert to the
old negro officeholder policy of his pre-
decessors.
Insufficient time" will be the ex-
cuse the republicans will make for not
repeating the duty on anthracite coal
and altering many tariff schedules
known to be entirely too high even to
suit the vast majority Of republicans, &C.
cording to Representative Grosevenor.
Moreover. the General says that there
will be no extra session, or words to
that effect. There may be difference
of opinion between tho President and
the General on this score, however, for
it is stated by some politicians who
are very near to the President that he
regards an extra session of the Fifty
eighth Congress as inevitable to repub
lican success In 1904, in which Mr..
Roosevelt is very much interested. OF
course, he will not commit himself for
the present but will keep his ear to
the ground" to use the expression of
his political friends.
There are Numerous indications that
the pressure to enact antitrust legis-
lation. which will be brought to bear
on Congress, will be exceedingly strong.
The President favors it and is espe-
cially anxious that some means should
be taken to enforce publicity so as to
prevent the floating of what are called
wild cat stocks on the market. He is
told, even by some Of the financers,
that there Is grave element of danger
in this now common practice and be
appreciates that the result may mean
a panic which, if it were to come short
ly before election time, would be al
most sure to mean republican defeat.
Doubtless Mr.. Roosevelt will urge the
enactment of law In line with Attor-
ney General Knox's recommendations
at Pittsburg bnt that such law will
be passed is considered very doubtful.
Some of the best posted politicians in
| Washington, however, say that COM
promise law will be the inevitable re-
suit OF the present agitation and that
law will merely take the form of
enforcing measure Of publicity on
the trusts.
The Philadelphia district attorney
has completed his investigation of the
charges brought against Senator Quay
for violation Of the federal law by
soliciting campaign contributions from
off1ceholders. OF course the attorney
entirely vindicates the Senator, who
Il .aouna from tho A Afo.na. 10 -.,..4