Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-28

in recent speeches that he was in favor of
reduction of the tariff on all goods made
by monopolies. and now advocates such
radical reforms the initiative and refer
endum which is an issue in the present
campaign, and the election of United States
senators by direct vote of the people. The
democrats further point to the fact that he
has sturdily opposed the policy of imperi-
alism adopted by his party, and say that he
comes as near being a democrat as it is
possible for high-tariff man to be.
Senator Mason may be doomed to politi-
cal effacement by his party, but it is con-
coded by all save the most slavish of the
machine members that in his fall he has
succeeded in pulling down the pillars that
supported the political ambitions of his
arch-enemy, Gov. Yates. In the language
Of the streets, the latter is dead one"
The scandals unearthed by Mason in con-
nection with the slush fund, to say nothing
of the general dissatisfaction of the repub
lican rank and file with his violation of
both spirit and letter of civil service rules
in the management of the state institutions,
will insure his retirement from active pollt-
ical life at the expiration OF his term.
Lorimer's Hard Fight.
The governors machine partner and po-
litical sponsor, the man who made him
governor. ex-Representative Billy Lori
mer. is having the hardest kind of a fight
for election to Congress in the sixth Chi
cago district, which was carved out in the
according to his directions. His opponent
is ex-Representative Allan c. Durborow, an
able business man of high character and
great popularity, who defeated Mason in
race for the House in 1892. He served two
terms from 1890 to 1894. This district gave
Mckinley majority of Sab and Yates one
of 5,732, and yet the republicans admit that
Lorimer has a hard fight to win. This Will
give some idea Of the independence of the
voters Of that district and the unpopuarity
of the republican candidate. Lorimer was
elected to Congress from the old second
district in 1895, and served three terms,
being defeated by John ]. Feely, callow
tyro in politics, but a brainy young man,
nevertheless. Although the blond boss
as Lormer is known, has held no office
since then, he has been the virtual dictator
Of the state, making and unmaking states
men at his own sweet Will, and securing
from the legislature almost whatever he
chose to ask in the way of faVorS for his
friends, the public utility corporations. For
years his name has been connected with all
that Is unsavory in local municipal politics
He has ever been leader Of the gang in
the county and city administrative bodies,
and closely identified with all the question
able legislation in the state, county and
city. He is to the republican party what
his prototype, rubicund Bob Burke Is to
the democratic organization-its dictator
and master, and the apotheosis OF all that
is vicious in modern politics. This Is not a
biased view of the boss" but Is one that
Is cheerfully Endorsed by some of the most
prominent republicans in the city and state.
He has been denounced in the strongest
terms by the leading republicans of the city
and state; press, pulpit and forum have
his prot otype, rubicund Bob Burke, Is to
day practically autocrat, supreme ruler,
over a great sovereign state of 5,0OO,OoOO
people When he comes up for election 1t
Is true the people have chance to take a
fall out OF him. if the expression may be
permitted; yet he always rises from such
drop with a bounce, like rubber ball, and
continues to dictate party politics and name
party candidates with the utmost cheerful
ness and good nature. If he is elected this
time 1t will give him new prestige andscinch,
his hold on the party organization. If he is
defeated-well he will still be dictator and
boss of his party in this state, and will
probably WELD more influence in Congress
than his opponent