The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-03-08
KICKING OVER THE TRACES.
Republicans in Congress Driving q
Fractions Team.

WASHINGTON, March 4.-The Republican
managers in Congress are greatly discouraged
by the failure to accomplish anything through
the caucus of the House Republicans last
night. 1t is felt that the party is hopelessly
divided and that even if efforts TO reach set
Element of the Cuban tariff question are ulti-
mately successful, the tariff issue in one form
or another is sure to confront them in all d.
rections, to their great perplexityin Congress
and in the next campaign.
The difficulty of reconciling a colonial sys-
tenn with the high protective tariff system is
now being realized. The discussion of the
Cuban tariff in the caucus last night demon
strated that the extreme elements in the Re-
publican party are drifting wider and wider
apart, and that the two purposes OF colonial
exploitation and high protection cannot be
made to accord.
Though present differences may be tempo
rarily adjusted, it is realized that there is an
irreconcilable conflict which is surely destroy
ing the cohesive quality OF the party. The
tariff question appears as their Nemesis, as
socating itself in some way with nearly every
question that arises of enough importance to
make political issue. Through this conflict
over the Cuban tariff measure Republicans of
the House who have long been in the habit of
bindly following their leaders are becoming
accustomed to the novel experience of antag
onism and resistance.
From the present aspect of affairs it appears
that the extreme protectionists will control
the action of the House either by getting what
they want or by giving the other faction ''more
than they want" They propose to save sugar
or 10 smash some other infant industry which
| is being nursed by trust.
Even more than the failure of measures, the
party leaders fear the moral effect of the grow
| ing discussions. The situation in the House
! is a mere reflection of that outside. Informa-
! ton members have from their States shows
| dissensions in the party of similar character,
| only less in control than those in Congress.
Differences of opinion exist among the Re-
| publican masses as to both the colonial policy
and whether something should be done with
/ the tariff. and the two questions come into
conflict with one another. In some States,
moreover, personal rivalrles are making Is
sues. Conspicuously in New York and Indi-
ana, States which used to be regarded as
pivotal, reports show that the Republicans are
| distraught with dissensions over both economic
and personal issues. There is division of
| sentiment both as to insular policy and recp
rocity, and personal differences promise the
development of strong opposition to the
nomination of President Roosevelt in 1904.
In addition to the Plat and anti Plat factions
in New York State there has developed an
| Odell and anti Odell faction on different lines.
In Indiana factional fight has developed
| between Senator Fairbanks, who is rival of
Roosevelt for the Presidential nomination in
1904, and Senator Beverage, who is in ad-
vance of the avowed position of any of his col
leagues in the Senate in extreme imperialism.
| The demand of the colonial policy for
sacrifice of some of the fatted infant industries
to the promotion of trade; the defiant attitude
of the beetsugar men; the disturbing reports
from important political centers and general
lack of harmony between the Executive and
Congress and between elements in Congress
present very troublesome complications to
perplex and annoy the party.
The situation is still further disturbed by
discouragiug reports as to the possible value
of the Philippine Islands as compared with the
cost of subjugation and development. Some
of the Republicans in Congress who have
sentimental regard for the rights of the Fill
pinos and who have been willing to exploit
the islands if st would pay, confess privately
now that they fear public sentiment will turn
against the party in power when the cost of
exploitation and the smallness of the prospect
i've return are fully realized.