Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-25
ASSET AND LIABILITY
Republican Managers Taking
Stock for Campaign.
WILL BE HARD FIGHT
RooSEvELT'S POPULARITY THE
GREATEST FACTOR IN SUCCESS.
Possible Labor Difficulties the Thing
Most to Be Feared-Feel-
ing of Unrest.


of prominence are not being dazzled by any
rainbows of promise in the political out
look for this fall, and are not wearing rose
tinted specs when they view the prospect
They are looking for storms, and in con-
versation with each other and their friends
are free to admit that few clouds, no
upon the horizon.
All of which figure of speech is by way of
Saying that the managers are keenly alive
to the fact that the coming campaign Is to
be desperate battle between the parties.
unless the democratic party makes more
than ordinarily grievous blunders.
1t is the habit of experienced politicians
to weigh and estimate their troubles and
| drawbacks before they count their bless
| ings. Assets usually can be more easily
determined than liabilities. The practical
politicians first figure up what they will
have to meet, and then cast about them 10
see how they can meet 1t. republican
manager, in talking with Star reporter,
not for quotation in the first person, but
still with frankness, pointed out a few of
the difficulties the republicans see before
them.
Sagging of Business.
In the first place, the most disquieting fea-
ture of the situation is sagging of business.
That is always TO be expected on the even
OF presidential election and usually affects
the party in power This year, the rail-
reads are the first to feel it. Reports from
the west tell of falling off in traffic and dis
charge of employees. Chicago estimates that
l5,OUO men have been laid off in that region
ard more are to follow The eastern trunk
lines are cutting expenses. All that means
disquietuae and dissatisfaction among the
laboring classes and the democrats have all
ready announced their intention to put in
their hardest llChs with those classes
There ought not to be falling off in pro-
duction on account of the election. Ameri-
can manufacturers can not possibly be
threatentd with foreign competition for the
next eight years, anyhow 'stand pat'' is
the promise given by the politicians to the
producers. and no landslide next fall can
alter it. The curtailment in business is con-
strued to be the natural reaction of the
great tidal wave of prosperity which has
swept the country under the republican
regime commencing in 1856. viii 1t be pos
sible to explain this to the Infringing and
unrefiectiEg voter, so that he will not wreak
his resentment on the party in power?
This republican leader went on to say that
he and his colleagues were more concerned
over untoward business conditions possible
strikes and general disturbances in the la
Dor world than they were over party dissen-
SONS, although Heaven knows, we have
them a-plenty,' he added. But party dis
sensions are susceptible of adjustment at
the last moment, especially in the face OF
grave political peril.
No Fundamental Difference.
He pointed out that there is no funda-
mental difference of opinion among the re-
publicans, nothing like the split which
afflicted the democrats in 1896 and 1900, and
which even now is found between the con-
servative and radical factions of that party.
The troubles in the republican camp are
local and PERSONAL not based upon prin-
ctple. At the same time. as an offset,
there Is no great vital Issue, as sound
| money in 1896 and expansion in 1900
Continuing, this manager said that the
republicans would have to appeal this time
to materialism, and he wasn't sure but 1t
would be pretty good appeal after ALL as
the other fellows had no great principle
He could see where the campaign would
come down to question of the continu-
ance of prosperity through protection 10
American industries, against democratic
free trade and abolishment of custom
houses 1t would also be in large measure
the struggle of those in power to keep in
power. against a lean and hungry crowd
clamoring for place.
He could not see where the democrat ts
could present any great vital principle or
issue. At the same time he recognized
the desire for change always present in a
large portion Of the population and he
realized the possibility of this element
being swayed by clever and specious argu-
ments.
Popularity of Roosevelt
Turning from the contemplation of the
seamy side of republican prospects, this
manager took up the assets of the party
Principal among them, for the present, he
counted the popularity of Roosevelt He
said his party could travel long way on
that There was possibility of the Presi-
dents popularity being increased MANIFOLD
if the democrats should make a mistake
in their nomination. He could see where
some selections of the democrats would
drive thousands of democratic votes to
| Roosevelt. He was convinced that the per-
| sonality of Roosevelt would heal republican
dfssensions In states where they might
otherwise prove troublesome.
This manager went On to say that a
study of the pluralities of 1900 ought to
| bring comfort to the republicans. He did
not overlook the fact that In those pluralf-
| ties were included many votes that former
ly were democratic. but which were alien
| ated on account of the Kansas City plat
! form. II those votes should return to the
| democrats this fall he expected to see a
| corresponding loss of Bryan-Hearst social
] ist votes.
| After viewing the prospects from every
| up his views as follows:
"Our greatest asset will be stand pat and
| Roosevelt; our greatest liability the pos
| sbilities of the industrial and labor 7situa-
| tion.'