The Opelousas courier., 1902-08-16
Washington, ID. G., News.
From our Regular Correspondent,

1
| WASHINGTON, Aug. IL, 1902.
| There is more than the suggestion
of a smile playing about the features
of the older Democratic politicians
| in Washington when any reference
is made to the Roosevelt boom for
1904, and OF late there has been a
suggestion of similar expression
on the countenance of certain Re
publican politicians, while others
regard the situation with an anxiety
which would hardly seem warranted
by the facts. AS a matter of fact,
there is a growing suspicion that
the Roosevelt boom has beC>ss,pre-
maturely launched, and is destined
to fill an early grave. 1t has long
been an axiom with politicians that
a boom, like good lettuce, must be
grown rapidly; that from its first
appearance us a tiny leaflet it must
grow and wax strong, without a
single check, as otherwise it would
become stale and unpalatable and
would be eventually rejected as too
ancient.
OF course it can he said that Mr..
Roosevelt has the Endorsement of
such powerful leaders of his party
as Plat and Quay, and so he has,
now, but that he has it now is no
guarantee that he will have it. in
1904. Both of these gentlemen de-
sire, first and before all else, the de-
feat of Senator Hanna, and to that
end they are ready to make many
sacrifices, but that will not prevent
either the s'easy boss" nor the cold
man" from changing his mind en-
tirely, for .the good of the party"
of course, when the national con-
yention of two years hence comes
to lie held. Can the enthusiasm
with which the public at present
| regards Mr.. Roosevelt last? That
is the question which the more ex-
perienced politicians answer in the
negative. They all say it will wear
out, and that the ambitious young
man who now fills the White House
will find himself abandoned by the
public, which is tickle in its favor,
and by the politicians, who have
been his friends only as matter OF
expediency, when the crucial hour
comes.
An interesting feature of the po-
litical gossip which concerns Mr..
Rooseyelt's political future comes
from persons in a position to know,
land relates that Senator Hanna is
to be succeeded as chairman of the
Republican National Committee by
Governor Crane of Massachusetts,,
who, as will be remembered, was
Invited TO take the Treasury port.
folio before that position was ten
dered to Secretary Shaw. Nc
sooner had the news of Governor
| Cranes probable incumbency leaked
| ont than Senator Hanna made pub
1 lie statement to the effect that he
i had no intention of resigning un
| less it was made clear to him thai
. | his resignation was desired by the
i President and his advisors. From
Il this it will be seen that some one
has been clever enough to inspire
doubts in Mr.. Roosevelt's mind az
| to the loyalty of the Ohio Senator
| doubts which may be we'll founded
but which make the present actor
Z of the President all the more mad
yisable. There is little doubt tha1
J the gentlemen to inspire such doubts
J Iare the two sagacious politician
, above referred to, Messrs. Platt ant
{ Quay, and only the guileless vii
! place great faith in their loyalty tt
: the President. On the other hand
il Senator Hanna ever had any 10y
n atty to Mr.. Roosevelt, he will fee
Ientirely relieved of any obligation
' by the intimatien that the Presi
! dent desires to name his successo
on the national committee. His ar
nouncement places him in some
what the light of a martyr. He
already regarded by the great caf
!. italists of the country as "a far safe
: man than the President, and tLl
predictions are frequent that M
Y Roosevelt will be carried to q poin
$, by his belief in antitrust legisl;
+ ton and possibly III tariff revision
y which will entail the antagonism
n all tue wesllthiest supporters OF b
9.