The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-11-11

seem to have chosen the tariff discus
sion as the lesser Of the two evils. The
condition of affairs in Colombia may
be considered in the Senate and there
is chance that an attempt viii be
made to ratify the Chinese treaty at
once, in order to foresta1 Russla's ac
tion IN Manchuria.
Those politicians who believe that
the labor vote will be large factor in
the campaign next fall, will watch
with interest the proceedings OF the
Convention of the American Fedora
ton of Labor which meets today IN
Boston and where the question OF the
-ss open shop will be discussed by
the delegates from the entire country:
President Roosevelt has always posed
as a friend of labor and he wishes the
laboring men to take his view Of the
decision in the Miller case. 1t is
hardly by mere chance that at the
very time when this question will
come before the Federation, Secretary
Loeb, on behalf of the President has
sent invitations to six members Of labor
unions in Butte. Montana to come to
Washington to dine with the President
at the White House. The date has
been fixed as Novmber 18th. Perhaps
the president believes that the laborers
will be as hattered by this attention
as the negroes we're by his dinner to
Booker Washington.
Viewed in the light Of their effect
upon the presidential campaign, the
recent elections are regarded by the
democrats here as great victory for
the party. The republicans we're
severely defeated in Maryland, where
President Roosevelt did all in his
power to aid his party in contest
where he and his unpopular attitude
on the negro question formed the main
issue. Much Of the credit for the VIC
tory is due Senator German, who calls
attention to the Presidents unwarrant-
ed interference in state affairs, and to
the danger of his policy toward the
negroes. The Senator's chances of re-
ceiying the democratic nomination
next summer have been thus greatly
increased, and he is recognized as a
strong rival of President Roosevelt for
the highest honor in the land. Ii he
Is nominated the race issue will be-
come the main issue in the campaign,
and it is known that many Northern
ers of the Presidents own party do not
scountenance the Booker Washington
dinner and all that it implies. In New
York city the repu blicans were unable
to continue in power under the name
Of Ecsienists. The democratic mem
bers OF the present Fusion government
were reelected on the Yammany ticket
which was headed by Representative
McC Clsllan, democratic member OF
Congress. Representative William
Randolph Hearst played an important
part ia this campaign, as his papers
were the only ones which opposed the
Fusion candidates. This will probably
insure Hearst of the New York delega-
Sion at the next national convention,
and his great influence with the labor
leaders as we'll as the support Of his
powerful papers in New York, Chicago
and San Francisco, will make him a
strong candidate for the democratic
nomination. As the political situation
now stands he and German are the
most likely candidates. The demo-
Gratis lost in Ohio, where the republi-
can success is regarded as personal
victory for Senator Hanna, who is now
being doomed for the republican nomi-
nation, apparently in spite Of himself.
Hanna is popular with the party in
Ohio and in the East and has many
powerful friends, who unless he posi-
lively prohibits it, will continue to
boom him for the nomination. The
President is popular in the West and
his friends are equally determined
that he shall be the choice of the
national convention. It is certain
that President Roosevelt fears Hanna
as much as he does German. The
Roosevelt Hanna question may yet
completely destroy the republican
harmony.
Owing to its influence upon the
canal, the revolution in Panama is
given far more attention than is
usually paid to such disturbances in
the South American countries. Ever
since the Colombian government re-
iected the canal treaty there has been
talk Of secession in Panama, and Of
then treating directly with the United
States, so that the water way could
be constructed at once. Panama has
has now declared her independence,
adopted red, white and blue hag,
entrusted the government to triumvi-
rate representing the different politi-
cal parties driven out, without blood
shed. all the Colombian troops who
did not join the revolution, and is
now asking recognition By the United
States government. The name of the
small republic, with its population Of
about 250, 600, is Republica del Ismo,
Republic of the Isthmus). United
States warships are now at Colon and
Panama and marines have been landed