The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-21
DEMOCRATS IN SEARCH
OF CAMPAIGN ISSUES
Policy of the Leaders in Congress
Is Formulated with that End
Chiefly in View.
VIEWS OF CRUMPACKER
Indianian Thinks the Democracy Is
Entitled to Synpathy-Isle
of Pines Controversy.
VIEWS OF CRUMPACKER
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


for the battle of ballots, which will be
waged in the fall of 1904. Their policy is
to fight the administration, and do every
thing possible to embarrass the President
and the Republican majority in both
Houses of Congress. For the first time
in many years there is the semblance of
organization among the minority in the
Senate. A serious effort has been made by
Senators German and Bailey, the acknowl-
edged leaders, to force the minority sem
ators to abide by the party caucus. but so
far they have been only partially success
full The Democrats expect to get their
party associates into line during the holi-
day recess, and to face the Republicans
when Congress reasSembles with a solid
front. There is no doubt that feeling OF
uneasiness prevades the Republican side
of the Senate result of the speech made
by Senator Hoar on the Panama canal
question and the new republic. This is not
the first time that the Massachusetts SEN
ator has given aid and comfort TO the
minority. The Democrats have taken every
advantage of the utterances of Mr. Hoar;
While they have not definitely outlined
their policy toward the Panama treaty
there is prospect of its defeat, some sem
ators urging that the minority should go
this extreme, thus placing the administra-
| ton in an awkward position. From pres
ent indications party lines will be tightly
there is a tense feeling in the ranks or
both Republicans and Democrats
Representative Crumpacker paid his re-
spects to the Democrat minority during the
course of a speech in the House last week.
He said he sympathized with the minority
and that it was deserving of sympathy.
Judge Crumpacker said:
Now Mr.. Chairman, 1 said a moment
ago that the Democratic party had come
! to be decidedly pessimistic. That is the re-
| suit of habit, education and tradition.
| do not know that that party is altogether
to blame for being in that attitude. 1t
| has been on the wrong side OF every great
| question in the politics of this country for
| the last forty-fve years. and that Is not
altogether its fault. 1t has been on the
| outside all the time, and L am sure men,
| bers of that party will agree that that is
the wrong side.
THE party in charge Of the affairs of
! ground. 1t makes the issues and the Re
publican party during those vital years,
those years so fraught with great interests.
those years that have made so much for
| the welfare of our country and the glory
| of the entire world in selecting issues had
| first choice and has chosen with marvellous
wisdom; and the poor old Democratic
party had to take what was left. And
about all there was left the policy of
obstruction. of objection. Of vituperation.
of calumniation and ii has come to be
| second nature for the Democratic party to
| ObStruct.
1T cannot help it. / have great sympa-
| IT, n
with the responsibility for the affairs of
the entire government. Ii had come to be-
lieve in it's own philosophy, and it under
took to put some of its old theories into
practice. You know the result, my fellow
| citizens. 1t demonstra ted that party that
| has been out of power for so long, and has
acquired these chronic habits OF opposition
| and of obstruction. has fitness ca
pacity to carry on and dispatch the pub
lie business.
Now, 1 have said this much in defense
of hat /
| stand that l have no malice In my heart
toward Democrats as individuals. or even
toward the . party 81, love mem n has as h nnan
| The Republican party, on the other hand.
| IS party of achievement a party of prog
ress, party of action. 1t believes In God
and humanity. and 1t sees In the future OF
this country a mighty and glorious
| destiny. 1t has the courage and the ca
pacity to march forward Notwithstanding
the caviling criticism that IL hears in the
rear. 1t has the courage to march forward
and carry out the great policies that make
so much for the destiny of the American
| people.
A peculiar situation Is presented by the
controversy over the Isle of Pines. Some of
the most distinguished international law
writer's have used the Isle of Pines an
illustration of contiguous territory naturally
belonging to the sovereignty which controls
the mainland adjoining. The fact that the
Isle of Pines was not mentioned In the
Paris treaty between the United States
and Spain was accepted by some people IN
this country as evidence that the island
was included among those islands of the
| caribbean which, with Porto Rico, were
coded by Spain to the United States. On
the other hand. it is held by the people of
Cuba and that idea is supported by many
| people in this country, that the Isle OF
Pines is a part of Cuba, always was so con-
sidered and that it was under the jurisdic-
ton of the Spanish Cuban government.
With this statement of facts confront
ing the situation il is interesting to note
that the great controversy now on here be-
tween the two houses Of Congress respect
Constitution in the authority for making
treaties Is called into question concerning
here it is held that the treaty-making pow
er does not extend to authorizing the dis
position of territory belonging to the United
States by treaty. When 1t was discovered
that the Isle of Pines was omitted from the
Paris treaty a provision was inserted In the
Plat amendment to the army bill which
passed Congress saying THAT the Isle OF
Pines shall be omitted from the proposed
constitutional boundaries of Cuba, the title
thereto being left to future adjustment by
treaty" treaty giving the title of this
| island to Cuba Is now before the Senate
1t is claimed that the action by Congress
, in passing the Plat amendment author
ICES the disposition of the property by
treaty. Independent of this authorization il
is held the treaty-making power would b.
incompetent to make the cession.
Notwithstanding the strong support of the
insurance commissioners of many States
the prospects are that the Dryden bill, now
being considered by the Senate committed
on postoffices, will fail. The measure pro
poses that wildcat insurance companies
shall be debarred the use OF the United
States mails. Several important amend
ments have been adopted by the committe,
which were suggested by commercial inter
| ests formerly antagonistic to the sure
but the opposition has not been withdrawn
II Is understood that the most persistent
| opponents of the measure are the represent
| atives OF foreign insurance companies. II
is generally admitted that law aimed al
| fraudulent companies should be drafted
! with great care in order that legitima Il
companies may not be affected. Efforts
| will he made after the holidays to secure
n favorable report the Dryden bill, bu
even If such action Is taken by the com.
miftee doubt is expressed that the measur,
| can be passed in the Senate. State Auditor
David Sherrick Is one OF the supporters O
the DRYDEN bill and was in Washington re-
| Gently TO appear before the Senate com
mitteee to urge favorable report.
Representative Holiday has acquired
! military title. Although a private sodie
i'm the civil war. Mr.. Holiday now ac
! knowledges that he Is a full-fedged major