New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-30

Ell
Washington, June 29.-After repeated efforts
attending q month the House Democrats
On last Friday night finally met in conference to
consider the political state of the Union and
particularly their chances Of carrying the Con-
gress elections next fall. They adopted resoiu-
lions holding the Republicans responsible for
nest Of the Ills that have befallen the human
race in the last two years, and dwell with EN-
phasis upon the trust and the Cuban questions
It is evident from the tenor of these resolu-
lions that the Democrats, if at all capable of
working in unity, intend to make the trust cues
zion the principal issue of the coming campaign
with incidental reference to what their spokes-
men now are pleased to call the shame of the
failure of Congress at this session to do some
thing for Cuba. AS President Roosevelt has
saused legal proceedings to be instituted against
the Beef Trust, the railroad merger and other
BIKE combinations, and the prosecutions start
I'd by Attorney General Knoxs instructions
probably win be going in the courts this
summer and fall, IT Is not conceivable how the
Democrats can hope to make much nolitical
tapital out Of the trust question especially in
view Of the fact that varioue trusts are thirty
hg and happy in the States controlled by the
Democrats.
MARROW POLICY SHOWN.
On the Cuban question it will be shown that
bad the Democrats in Congress DISPLAYED
willingness to cooperate with the administra-
ton. the Presidents reciprocity policy could
have had legal sanction al this session: but in
stead Of taking this splendid opportunity TO
prove to the country that they can take broad
Etatesmanlike view of such question as that
Involved in the Cuban reciprocity movement
the Democrats in both the Senate and House,
almost without exception, assumed such q
threatening attitude toward action at this SEES
lion unless permission was given them 10
weight the proposition down with every possible
suggestion of radical tariff revision that the
teal supporters of the President were afraid to
force consideration the floor of the Senate
FOR the effect that failure at this session would
have upon the movement next winter. Hence
The country Will understand when the Demo
cratic orators begin TO brag about Cuba that
they were quite responsible for no action al
his session were the handful of Republican
Senators from the beet sugar States who were
permitted by the Senate leaders, for reason
rot yet fully apparent, to hold up the reciprocity
sovement, in the hope of embarrassing the
President However, since the President him
ielf will speak upon this question with his ac-
tustomed freedom and frankness when he makes
tour of the country next fall, double assur-
lnce is afforded that the Democrats will not be
lble to fool the voters.
REPUBLICAN SUCCESS ASSURED
Accepting, therefore the issues promulgated
~ the House Democrats on the eve Of adjourn
nent for use in the Congress campaign 1t is evil
lent that they will have little material to work
N. 1t is admitted freely by the Republican
managers that the Democrats in Congress have
lad more than one opportunity presented to
hem IN this session by the blunders OF some
Republican Senators and Representatives, but |
is extremely gratifying to Republican hopes |
hat the Democrats have not had the or |
bresight TO utilize these chances. The result is |
hat they about TO return to their consttu- |
mts with nothing of value to offer either for |
Iarty success or harmony in the forthcoming |
Rmpaign, and Chairman Babcock and his asso- |
Hates on the Republican Congress Committee !
re even more confident Of carrying the next |
House than they this far in advance of the |
weeping victory Of 1900.
Primarily, the Republicans have an advantage |
nine in the twenty-nine new Congress districts
Feated by the reapportionment bill of the last |
congress to meet the increase of population
hown by the last census. With the exception |
Texas, Missouri and Arkansas the Demo-
rats make no notable gains by the Reappor-
lOnment act, while in many Republican States
districts, due, of course. to the rapid growth of
population in those States. Thus, the Repub-
ans could afford to lose more than twenty
districts they now control and still win the next
han thirty districts in order to carry the House
is considered probable that they will gain
pme districts in the East notably two or three
Pennsylvania, and perhaps the same number
New-York, owing to fractional differences in
10Th States. but those possible losses to the
Republicans will be more than compensated for
" gains in the Middle West, TO say nothing of
he increased representation which many solid
= Republican States Will have in the next Con-
ress.