The San Francisco call., 1904-03-05
POLITICAL SMALL BEER.

" HESE the days Tor making politics in Congress
No matter what may be before either house, the
discussion right angles to it and IS irrele
want One of the late manifestations of desire to
make small beer politics occurred in the House. when
Scott Republican, endeavored to counter and parry
by saying that Mr.. Cleveland had negro to dinner
with him while President. Mr.. Gilbert of Kentucky,
Democrat admitted charge declared that it
evidence that Mr. Cleveland is Republican. Mr. Cleve-
land somewhat satiricaly, but positively denied the
charge whereupon the Democrats applauded very efus
lively, and Scott apologized but sent shot into the
opposition by saying he had been the means OF getting
for Mr. Cleveland the first applause from the minority
that had greeted his for many years.
1t looks now as though the only issue left for the
minority in this years campaign will be what is called
the Booker Washington dinner As far as known the
facts about it are that Booker Washington had gone
to the White House 10 promote the appointment OF an
eminent Southern Democrat to Federal judgcship
The President about TO go TO lunch and invited
Washington join him, in order that the consultation
might continue. The invitation accepted and the
Democrat appointed. He had been the Governor OF
his State and makes an able and worthy Judge.
In the whole affair there no thought OF social
equality nor any other clement except the securing OF
able and fearless judicial officer. But it occurred
just the beginning their campaign against
President Roosevelt punish him for his fearless
forcement of the law. Their organs in New York took
ii up and proceeded to divert attention from the
to the negro question. In this they have since
been ably supported by their Democratic allies
The position of certain class is illustrated by story
current in Washington City. Southern gentleman met
Booker Washington there and proceeded in horid
way to commend him and his work declaring him to
be the greatest man the United States Washington
dsclamed such ascription, and said that he only
a humble who had selected his duty and try
ing perform it, and said that there others by
thousands, greater and more worthy than he. Name
one sir" insisted the Southern gentleman Well, said
Washington, President Roosevelt
example, WELL said the Southerner, Il did think
that once but when he invited you dinner with him.
sir, l changed my mind"
1t is the opposition policy to spread abroad the idea
that the President unsafe adventurous apt involve
the country in war; and that he ought withdraw
outposts let the Philippines drop, and do lot of things
that the President of his motion cannot do. The
Democracy, in broad outline, is divided into camps
that may be called respectively the Cleveland and
Hearst camps. One of Mr.. Cevelands highly re-
spected his Venezuela message which dropped
out of clear sky and challenge to Great Britain
war. Has President Roosevelt, by any ntima
tion proceeding from his administration. near
involving in armed conflict? We by mini
mize the importance of that message 1t truculent
the last degree and the remarkable fact about is
that the services of Mr. John Hay enlisted
in London break its effect and placae English opn-
ion with the result that peaceful solution reached
and averted While all Americans may be sure
that President Roosevelt will permit aront to
his country unnotced he is safe Mr. Cleve-
land any of his predecessors
As for the other camp; in 1893, Mr. Hearst yell
ing large letters in his several newspapers, "Na the
flag the Philippines; don't plant it there-nal it He
warning the country that it about be dis
graced by President Mckinley refusing take the ISL
ands and he printed columns of attack the President
that account Indeed, Mr.. Hearst in those days
wanted the earth and the kingdoms thereof and
likely not to be contented with islands. Now he
says his newspapers that he the idol Of the
people and the popular choice for the Presidency and
that President Roosevelt is unsafel
All of this continually crops in the incompetent
discussions in Congress The Booker Washington din
is merely the for attacking President Roose
welt because he has appointed few negroes to Federal
Office But the latest of the dinner issue has served
reveal the fact that Mr. Cleveland went to the Demo
cratic State of Missouri for negro appontee, was
assistant City Attorney under the Democratic municipal
government OF Kansas Cit and who he says served in
the Federal office, to which he confirmed by the
of Democratic United States Senators with in
tel1gence and with efficiency"
In view of this revelation and of the further fact that
Mr.. Cleveland probably appointed as many negroes as
President Roosevelt has, and for the same reason their
intelligence and efficiency suggest that the minority
may well regard the incident closed