The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-02
WASHINGTON POLITICAL GOSSIP.
What the Lawmakers and Office
Hunters Are Doing---Democrats
Can Only Watch and Grill
cize the Republicans.

Washington, Nov. 30.-Cuban affairs
have been much discussed in the SEN
ate. In a speech in opposition. to the,
present reciprocity bill, which will be
voted upon December 16, Senator Car
mack of Tennessee, charged President
Roosevelt with hypocracy, in his mes
sage which urged the ratification of
the Cuban treaty. "The President told
u.s. he said, "that we must ratify it
to save our honor and help our trade.
1t was an opportunity to worship God
and get our money back; to be dill
gent in business while serving the
Lord. He presented the Cuban treaty
in the double aspect of bargain
counter and a missionary box. You
put a nickel in the slot for sweet
charity's sake and get more than your
moneys worth of chewing gum and
Cigars. Happy is the Republican Al
mlnistration that was driven by a sell
fish motive to a righteous deed and
could perform Christian duty with
out exercising any of the Christian
virtues. It is another story when
honor and selfisbness come into con-
fict.'' He said six months ago a cry
was raised, Roosevelt, reciprocity,
and revision What has become of
the last, two members Of this blessed
trinity? The trinitarian propaganda
had been overwhelmed by the Moham-
medan war cry of, "Allah, Allah,
Roosevelt is great and the Senator
from Massachusetts, is his prophet" "
The Senator closed his speech with
plea for tariff revision.
The action sof the Senate in post
poning the date of voting on the re-
ciprocity bill until December l6 is
looked upon as an affront to the Presi-
dent for his having called the extra
session. When the Senate expressed
informally a desire to adjourn before
the regular session, which commences
on December Z, Speaker Cannon re-
fused to consent to an adjournment
until action was taken on the measure
for which the extra session was called.
As neither branch of Congress can ad-
journ for more than three days without;
the consent of the other, the House
will thus force the Senate to remain
in session. Representative Williams,
tie democratic leader, has announced
his minority committee appointments
and it is believed that Speaker Cannon
will give out the committee list ia :
time to do a weeks work before the !
regular session begins. Mr.. Williams
in speech in the House, censured the
majority for forcing Congress to meet
without allowing the transaction OF
business.
: Former President Cleveland has
quieted for ever his own presidential
boom, and those who favored him are
transferring their efforts to furthering
the chances of Judge Alton B. Parker
of New York. Mr.. Cleveland said in
an open letter, 81 have not for
moment been able, nor am [ now able
to open my mind to the thought, that
in any circumstances or upon any con-
sideration, should ever again become
the nominee of my party for the presi-
dency. My determination not to do
so is unaIterable and conclusive" AS
Mr.. cleveland has stauncn friends and
bitter enemies in the democratic party,
there is no doubt that his voluntary
withdrawal from the race for the noml
nation will advance the cause Of ha1-
mony in the party. The choice seems
to have narrowed down to Senator
German, Representative Hearst and
Judge Praker.
Senator Hanna has frequently de-
clared that he does not want the re-
publican nomination, but his friends,
and especially many enemies of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, believe that he could
be induced to accept it when the prop
er time comes. The Senator and the
President disagree on the nomination
of General Wood. which is a very i'm
portant question to each of them. The
General is one OF the Presidents clos
est friends and the failure of the SEN
ate to confirm his appointment would
be regarded as direct Slight to the
Chief Executive. Yet this is exactly
what Senator Hanna is trying his best
to do. Senators Platt and Depew have
now joined him, and this is part cause