The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-09-05
MONDAY, SEPT. 5. 1904.
SOUNDING THE ALARM

Republican editors affect to believe
that the statement given out by Chair
man Babeock, of the Republican con-
gressional committee, is intended mere
ly to dispel Republican apathy and to
make men get out and work for the
party. There is much more to it than
that. Shrewd political managers do
not at this stage of the game make
such a confession of weakness unless
there is serious trouble in sight. Mr..
Babcock says that this is ''the closest
congressional campaign he has expert
enced since 1885," For various reasons
he believes, or says he believes, and
we believe with him, that the control
of the next house is greatly in doubt.
If Mr.. Babcocks statement is to be
modified, we should change it only by
saying that the control of the next
house is reasonably certain to lie with
the Democrats. The reasons which he
gives for this condition are vague and
confused, and we think we can supple
ment them with something more def
mite. First and foremost, the Repub-
licans are going to lose the house Of
representatives because of their atti-
tude on the tariff. There is no slight
est hope of relief from tariff iInposi :
tons if the Republicans remain in
power. Their state and national plat
forms confess it. They have relegated
tariff reform to a distant and improb-
able future. They are Indifferent to
the control of trusts and monopolies,
and dare not interfere, while these
completely panoplied in prohibitory du-
ties; stretch a filching finger into every
household and deplete the poor mans
meager income to swell their gotten
gains. The people ought not to stand
it. and they will not.
This. though the foremost, is only
one item in the long list of Republican
offending. AS The Globe has often
pointed out, the party has ceased to
have any positive programme what
ever. 1t stands today for absolutely
nothing. The assumption by President
Roosevelt of legislative power, and the
acquiescence in his attitude by the
Republican party, has stripped congress
of even its little brief authority. The
establishment Of the gold standard and
the tacit agreement that the Dingley
bill is not to be disturbed have re-
moved from the sphere of possible ac-
tivity all it's actual issues The speak
er who asks upon the platform this fall
any Republican candidate to state ex-
actly what laws a Republican congress
will enact if it should be elected win
strike hin-speechless.
1t is because the Democratic party
proposes actual remedial LEGISLATION.
positive in character and helpful to the
people, that it has so great an advan-
tage. 1t is because of that that the
tide everywhere is setting toward DEM
ocratic candidates. The people are
weary of house of representatives
which has shown itself capable of moth
Ing better than carrying out the pre-
arranged dictates of an arbitrary ex-
ecutive and toadying to the trusts
Well may the Republican managers
fear the wrath of an aroused people
Republican congresses have been
throwing billion after billion of public
money into the rapacious nav of pri-
vate interests, and have known NO
other duty. They promise nothing bet
ter, and nothing else whatever for. the
future.
1t is not conceivable that men so
recreant to every public trust should
be retained in control of the govern
ment. Mr.. Bahena,~ Is right. The