The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-11
At Least the Chances forit at.
Present Seem Slim.
PROBABLE ISSUES IN
THE NEXT CAMPAIGN
Tariff Reform and Regulation Of the
Trusts Viii Likely Be the Slogans
Of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
tary Shaw Is Coming
10 the Relief Of the
.s, NJ. Stock Market.

The Times-Dispatch Bureau,
5i No. s1417 G Street, N. W.,
Washington, D. c., March 10.
It Is learned to-day that the Democrats
will probably allow vote on the Pana-
ma Canal treaty to be reached Saturday,
or possibly earlier. But 1t ,is now very
doubtful whether the Cuban reciprocity
treaty will be confirmed at all. It is
almost certain that tho necessary two.
thirds vote for ratification cannot be
obtained now. There may be changes
in the situation before a vote Is taken.
But it now looks as though any changes
will DO rather to increase the strength
OF the opposition than otherwise. The
press reports this morning Of debate
in the Cuban Senate In which strong
opposition to the treaty was developed
will, It is believed, strengthen opposition
to the treaty here. The dec1sration8
made by Senior Sanquilly that the treaty
was not for the benefit Of the people of
America or Cuba, but that 1t was solely
for the benefit Of the trusts, but strength
ems the position of those Democrats who
take the same view. Had the Democrats
Of the Senate been convinced that the
bill which was defeated in the last hours
Of the regular session. which proposed
a reduction OF the tariff OH mportations
from the Philippines, was. not primarily
In the interest Of the sugar trust. It
would not have encountered such strong
opposition and might have become law.
a SPOONER BOOM. &. 1.
It now develops that the national con-
ference proposed by the Governor of Wis
consln to be held at some southern city
for the purpose OF discussing the negro
question was only for the purpose Of
booming Soma tor spooner. for the presi-
dcicy. Governor Hayward, Of South
Carolina, and Governor Montague Of Viz
gina,E probably had no idea as to the spe-a
cinc object of the proposed conference
when they emphatically declined to ap-5
point delegates, but they doubtless sus-
pected that there was politics in It,. The.
Milwaukee Sentinel, an organ OF Seha-F
tor spooner's has practically confessed
the object of the conference, which was
first suggested sby that paper. 1t had a
staff man in the South for q month or
more, studying conditions. and he sug-
gested the Idea of the conference as af-
fording opportunity for Senator Spooner
to got under the lime light in the center
Of the stage
President Roosevelt has said he pre-
ferred to be nominated by the delegates
from the North and West. Now, in a
national Republican convention the vote
of black negro delegate from the cane
brakes of Louisiana counts for as much
as that Of a delegate from the most Gull
tured precincts OF Boston. The man who
could pick up all tho Southern delegates
and some few contested and uncontested
delegations from the North and West,
would be power in the convention, even
II he could not DO nominated. Spooner
and his friends caught on to this. The
proposed conference was the result.
But it would not be at all surprislp 6
to see a hot fight for delegates In sew
eral of the Southern States. There will
be hope for a candidate for the nominal
ton against Mr.. Roosevelt. II he can
make the white and black Republicans
of the South understand that the Presi-
dent has said he does net want their
votes IL he can get the nomination with
out them.
CLEARS THE SITUATION.
The announcement by Mr.. Cleveland
yesterday that he was "out Of politics
for good" has cleared the situation for
the Democrats according to Democratic
Senator'S. 1t was never thought he would
be nominated. but 1t was feared he would
be candidate and would thus embar-
rass the candidacy of available men. Mr.
Cleveland's declaration that the control
| Of trusts, and tho regulation or reform Of
| the tariff, will be. or should he, the chief
! features Of tho Democratic platform, Is
| looked upon as even more significant than
| his positive announcement that he would
not be a candidate for the nomination.
For some time leading Democrats mt the
national capital have been practically
unanimous In the opinion that tariff re-
| form should be foremost feature OF
| the platform next year, but owing to the
! strong prediction declarations of the Re-
puhllcans for the proper regulation OF
/ n -.
| Ito left for tho Democrats to do In the
| way Of trust BUSTING But tho Congress
| Just adjourned demonstrated very clearly
| that IL there was ever trust problem
| for solution, 1t was Just as much n prob
| lem after adjournment as 1t was at the
| election.
If tariff reform and trust regulation be
not the cardinal planks In the next Demo-
| cratic platform. those which are will be
| made such only after hard fight 5
I TEMPERANCE IN CHRIsTENINds.
Word has reached the Navy Depart
ment that the temperance people Of Kan
| sas are endeavoring Ia have the LegIs.
| lature provide that water instead OF
| champagne shall be used at tho launch
Ing OF the battleship Kansas, now under
| construction. a resolution to this effect
has failed IN ono branch OF the Legisla
tllrc, hut the temperance advocates ara
| stu endeaNOrlnE 10 gel " through tht
Other 1t IS not easy to have cham
payne or other strong drink eliminated
! from a launching. When the kearsnrgt
| and kentucky. were launched at New
mort News In 1898 n bottle Of water wa,
| broken over tho prov Of the latter b.
the sponsor, "a beautiful Kentucky gIrI
But as the great vessel cid DOM tn
| Ways several dozen bottles Of Kentuck.
rye, tnrown by loyal rons Of the Flu
| Grass State, smashed against her sides
and for u half hour tho air WAS redo
1 lent with the fumes OF wt?ishey, There 4
4 a superstition that II only water II nsc'
10 christen a vessel she rs noodoosd 70
good and all.
"A WAR ROMANCE
News has Bsen received hers Of IN
A a.atb al Omaha last week of Captain