Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-17
Republicans Will Control Next Con-


1t Is not many weeks since our dem
ocratic friends were congratulating them
selves upon the prospect of electing ma
iority Of the members of the next Con-
gross, and republicans were correspond
ingly depressed over tho political outlook.
At that time the outlook in the Philippines
was far from encouraging and the dem
ocrats were preparing for an investigation
which promised to work in their interests.
The situation regarding Cuba was also
discouraging, and 1t looked as if there
would be nothing doing on the republican
side in relation to the trusts. The famous
democratic harmony" meeting had not
then been held, and to all appearances the
democracy was united upon the necessity
OF doing something to restore the prestige
of that political organization, while the
republicans were seriously divided.
At the present time the political situa-
ton has been completely changed. Civil
government has been established in the
Philippines and to all appearances the
civilized population of the archipelago has
been largely pacified, while the outlook
for home rule in the islands is rapidly inn
proving. 1t is very evident that conflict
ing interests have been able to twist the
Cuban question for the purpose of promot-
ing their own interests, and it now seems
certain that before another year rolls
round the Cubans will be enjoying reel
procity with the United States Reciproc-
ity will be one of the supreme issues in the
congressional elections, and the mandate
which the people are evidently preparing
to give on this issue will have no uncertain
sound
The administration has instituted suits
against various industrial combinations
that have the appearance of having been
formed in restraint Of trade, and the
knowledge that the President was deter
mined to protect the interests of the people
has evidently had a salutary effect in
checking the organization of additional
trusts and security holding corporations.
1t has also been definitely determined that
the administration will seek to promote
the passage of bill by Congress calculat-
ed to restrain trusts in various ways and
thereby protect the public from monopol-
bincd to greatly improve the chances for
the republicans while the democrats are
hopelessly divided in relation to the con-
nictng leadership of Bryan. Hill and
Cleveland as we'll as in regard to issues.
BE the reasons for the changed sit
uation what they may, it is now con-
ndently predicted that the democrats will
li...,,
margin in Congress. The present republi-
| can majority in the House Is forty-siX and
the redistrcting Of the congressional dis
tricts since the passage of the last appor-
tionment bill gives ground for the belief
i that the greater part of the increase In
membership will be republican. There will
be twenty-nine more members in the next
House than in the present, which will make
! the total membership 1885, If the as
sumption regarding the political com
plexon of the additional members is cor
rect then the republican control of the low
err branch of Congress will be strengthened
The question that would arise in this
connection is whether or not there are
good grounds for the assumption in ques-
ton. 1t Is to be noted in this connection
that in nearly all the States in the NORTH
and West the republicans have controlled
the legislatures, which have so run dis
trict lines as to supposedly give the Re
!, publican party whatever benefit was to be
gained from redistricting. Moreover il
some States the additional member will bt
! elected at large so as to ensure the selec
!, ton of republican. Unless some grea