The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-06
REPUBLICAN POLICIES.

REPUBLlIANhP OLlOlES.
The Baltimore American recently adj
dressed letter to each member Of the
Senate and to the national committee
men Of the two great political parties
asking upon what leading issues will the
fight next year be made" also II the
scandal In the Postofice Department viii
tend to weaken the Republican party TO
any apprecable extent"
Replies from the Republicans as to the
questions asked OF them have been re-
ceived, and the consensus OF party opin-
ion ts that the effect of the scandal IN
the Postof1ice Department will not be Sc
rjous 1t is generally believed that the
administration and tho courts will deal
with the subject so effectively that 1t Will
leave tho Democratic party no basis for
criticism on that account. In other words,
1t is expected that the party leaders will
gee to 1t that the offenders arc punished
sufficiently to "forestall any evil effects
from tho exposure"
OF issues defined for Republican use
next year by influential Republicans who
have written the American, the principal
ones are:
Currency reform.
Tariff revision.
Restriction Of the trusts.
Preservation and perpetuation OF the
prevailing prosperity.
Perpetuauon OF the incumbent admin
istration's vigorous foreign policy, and
'consummation Of the new diplomacy
which has given the United States COM
manding position among the powers Of
the world.
The last Issue, we are told, involves
defense and justification Of the policy of
expansion.
AS a supplement to these issues the
Americans correspondents express the
belief that president Roosevelt's magnetic
personality "wil give the quality of an
issue in the campaign" and on that ac-
count he will attract many voters ire
spective OF what may be termed "the real
issues
Our contemporary Is also Informed that
the majority OF the Republican party
do not concur with Senator Hanna in his
aversion to ''tinkerlng with the tariff. }"
Many writer's "believe that protection to
American industries and the preservation
OF the principle OF protection will be
championed by the Republican party next
year. but there Is a very general agree
ment among the leaders that tariff revis-
ion will figure as an issue in the Repub-
lican platform"
1t will be observed that currency re-
form is placed foremost In the Americana
list of issues upon which the next Pres
dental canvass will be fought That II
will be given that position by the party
we have had no doubt Of late The Re-
publicans cannot afford to go before the
people without having made an earnest
effort to give the country an elastic cur
rency. Tariff revision We expect to see
very lightly touched upon in their plat.
form and in the action Of Congress.
It may be hoped that an act advancing
the cause Of currency reform will bt
passed and put into operation before the
National Convention is held, but we ven
ture to predict that the nominating con
yention will be ever and past before there
Is any legislation on the subject OF tariff
revision. Party leaders will "get to
getner" on the subject OF currency re
form before they can agree upon an!
changes In the tariff
The conclusion we draw from the infor
nation published by the Baltimore Amer
lean is that the Republicans are consid
erably stirred by recent events ip hnan
cial circles, and wish TO go before tn
people in November. 1901 with promise
and performances which Will reconcile tn
country to continuance OF Republican
| administration.
Mr.. Roosevelt Is urgent In favor OF cur
rency reform, and would have this worl
entered upon at the extra session !!
November. He hopes that start. a
least, will no made then Perhaps by tina
time the Senate Committee will be read
To report "l'arift Revision will be take
up more lesurely, we presume. 1t is-pos
sibls, indeed. that conclusive action b
| Congress will not be seen until the Ma
| t!onal Convention has met and expresse
It's views on the subject.