The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1903-08-25
Relying on Calamity.


strike, II is said. was contemplated
for this year, but it has been put
off for twelve months. OF course,
+. the possibility of big labor dis
tnrbance next yeai Is something
which will give comfort TO the
Democratic politicians. II may be
presumed, indeed, that those per-
sonages will use their influence to
stave off TO 1904 all labor conflicts
which have any chance TO come in
the present year, or which are
threatening. Nothing In the
general business or political situa-
ton as 1t now exists has the slight
est promise of success for the
Democrats. So far as am Demo-
cratic politician can see at this
time, President Roosevelrs ma
jority 10 1904 will be at least as
large as President Mckinley ) was
in 1900.
A labor disturbance on a large
scale, however, would change the
situation, as the Democrats be-
lieve. II was the Homestead strike
of 1892 that hit the Republicans in
! that year, and defeated Harrison
for reelection. Other cause.-the
belief that prosperity was fixed
anyhow and that Democratic sue
cess could not affect 1t, and the
desire which many people always
have for change OF some sort
had some influence on the cam
paign. but Democrats as we'll as
Republicans couccde that the
Homestead labor conflict had much
10 do with Cleveland's election in
that year. The strike began IN
the summer, just after The national
conventions had been held, and il
lasted for over four months. The
Pennsylvania militia were called
out, the leaders Of the strikers were
arrested on a charge OF treason
against the state and the whole
country was excited. The strike
was at length called of, but not
till November 20 that the affair
ended, and that was two weeks
after the election had taken place.
The Republican plurality in Penn
syivania in that year was reduced
10 5000, largely ON account of the
labor troubles. Cleveland carried
the Republican states of Illinois
and Wisconsin, and cut Harrison
lead In Ohio almost TO the vanish
ing point.
Manifestly, if the Democratic
bosses can bring on an anthracite
strike IN 1904 they will be en-
couraged 10 make an active can
vass. But let them not assume
that even il there should be strike
they would win the election. The
strike in 1902 was the
most serious labor conflict which
has occurred in the United States
10 many years, blu, il did not have
the political effect which the Dem
ocrats hoped and which some Re.
pnblicans feared. The Republi.
cans carried Congress in that year
by a large majority. President
Roosevelt showed himself 10 be
such friend 10 both sides in the
conflict that his plan OF truce and
arbitration was adopted. A settle
nent was reached whereby work $
vas resumed. and though the Q
prices OF coal were sent up 10 the /
lighest figure touched in many a
ears, the Republican party was s
lot perceptibly injured. The !
President, indeed, by his arbitra
ion scheme, made new friends
mang the miners as well as among
he people in general which stand d,
chance TO help The party in 1904. il
Is the Democrats interest in :
ringing labor conflict next year
) known, the Republican chief to
aims may be relied on to use their 5.
nhuence. for the sake of the y