The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-08-20

AS the political headquarters and storm
center of the Nation, Washington alway'
keeps closely in touch with politica
phenomena, from whatever quarter
Therefore Washingtonians, even in thu
dull season of Congressional recess ant
Executive vacation are ever alert for the
faintest signs OF coming sensation or ex
citement ON the horizon of party strife
One of the latest revelations is that al
though the Republicans of Ohio are alb
solutely confident of eecting their state
ticket this Fall, they admit that the cleo.
ton OF Republican Legislature is moi
nearly so certain. As this sort of a Leg
islature is absolutely necessary TO ensure
the return of Hon. Marcus A. Hanna to
the United States Senate, the Importance
of carving it assumes National interest.
Hence we may be certain that no effort
will be spared. within and without the
State to make sure safe majority in
both branches of the Legislature.
1t will be remembered that when Sena-
tor Hanna was elected the party majority
was so small that comparatively lnsls-
nifcant detection caused great anxiety,
and came within one vote of defeating
him.
1t is a fact, the great significance Of
which has been very widely recognized
throughout the country. that the greatest
corporation in the world-the United
States Steel Corporation-has filed COM
plete report of its assets, liabilities, aud
current business with Secretary Cortelyou.
of the new Department Of Commerce
This is the first of the Nations great cor
pOratiOns to file such q report with the
new Department, and it is an excellent
example for the rest of the railroad, in
dustrial. and miscellaneous corporations to
fellow. The greatest benefit to be derived
from the new Department Of the Govern.
ment undoubtedly is the enforcement OF
publicity of the actual facts Of the social
ed trusts and combines. The Secretary is
authorized and empowered by law to en-
force the presentation of such reports. IN
the event of the failure or refusal on the
part of the corporation officials to render
them when called upon. The example Of
the greatest of these corporations losing
no time in presenting its report shows,
first of ALL an ac1uiescence in the public
demand. as expressed in the law creating
the Department. for the facts about these
great enterprises.
Senator Knute Nelson, the sturdy Nor
wegian. whose long, aggressive and intelli-
gent battle for the law creating the De
ty" feature of it, was detailed in The Ma
tional Tribune last February, may well
feel proud of his successful work.
1t is rather remarkable that in the long
line of men who have been and who will
be at the head of the Army until the re-
tirement of Wood in 1924, none since
Schofield has been or will be West Point
men. Neither Miles. Young, Corbin. Chat
&c It1af a n
the famous Military Academy.
The rumored purpose of many Southern
Democratic opponents Of party opinion to
insist on making the race question lead
ing issue in the next Presidential cam
paign excites much interest among politi-
clans. The recent race riots in GER
tain Northern and Western States are re-
garded by these Democrats as indicating
spirit CT hostility to the negro. and as
an exhibition of race prejudice to which
the Democrats may successfully appeal in
a National political contest. That the Re
publican party would not hesitate to meet
such an issue is declared to be certain.
Several well-known Democratic members
of Congress from Southern States have
within a few days expressed the opinion
that the Democrats in the coming session
of Congress would force the Republicans
TO declare whether they supported the
President in his position on the negro
question.
These Democratic Congressman, espe-
cially those from border States, assert that
what they call the Republican affiliation
with the negro will lose that party many
white voters in the next election. The
race question has kept the South solid.
they declare. ever since the civil war, and
they believe that the issue raised in North
ern States containing 4 large percentage
of negro population would give the Demo
Gratis greatly increased strength aad a
good chance for success in the next cleo
ton. Meantime there are no signs of
panic among Republican leaders on hear
ing the suggestion. They claim to be
ready for the opposition on the race issue
or any other.
Representative Livingston, of Georgia,
declares that the Democrats will make
their opponents come out into the open
and "ayow whether or not they are the
black mans party in the North as well as
In the South" Representative James, of
Kentucky. whose district abuts on In
diana, expresses the opinion that if such
an issue were raised the Republican party
would lose one white vote for every negro
vote it gained. That is very wise ut
terance. seeing that the total would re-
main the same.
Judge George Gray, of Delaware. whom
a small band of devoted admirers are now
urging for the Democratic nomination for
the Presidency next year, would be in his
Goth year when nominated. Democrats
here who desire success for the party
think that his age bars the eminent jurist
out. 1t is nearly a quarter OF a century
since Delaware offered him as candidate,
but the convention took Hancock. Judge
Gray is up to the Presidential stature but
locality. as well as years, is against him.
Practical Democrats want man who can
carry New York. That is becoming more
and more the pivotal point.
"a Bonaparte for President. Wouldn't
that be a sensational proposition" A
BaltimOrean told me recently that such,
away down deep, is the dream and ambi-
ton of the member of the distinguished
family whom the President has designated
to prosecute the Post Office people that
are accused of wronsdoing. Perhaps Mr..
Roosevelt would like TO have this gentle
man on the ticket for Nice-President.
II a New England Senator Is to be Sc
lected for Vice-President on the Republi-
can ticket, many persons hero think that
the choice should fall not on Mt. Aldrich,
40 suggested by Senator Platt but on
Henry Cabot Lodge, the trusted friend
H., - a. H. h1I.