The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-15
GOLDEN CHANGE
FOR DEMOCRATS.
Signs Of Reaction in Public Mind
May Spell Defeat for
Republicans.
Williams Not Unlikely to Be Next
Speaker If Followers Seize
81 "a Opportunity.

. l
Chicago, Dec. 15.--Walter Wellman,
in Washington special to the Record i
Herald, says:
5tThere is great deal Of talk among
men of both political parties here in
Washington to the effect that the next
house Of representatives is likely to
have democratic majority and choose
John Sharp Williams for speaker.
''EThe republicans, of course, do not
admit that they are going to be de-
feated next fall, but they do not deny
the voters which, if it cont nues, will be
likely to land a democratic majority IN
the lower branch.
"This talk was precipitated in part by
the warning which Mr.. Williams gave
the repu blicans in his clever talk yester.
day when he faced the republicans of
the hcnse and exclaimed amid a great
deal Of laughter: tThe people are tired
of you on that side of the house and
afraid of us on this side.'
Change in Public Mind.
t:But there was not a little truth and
philosophy in the wittlcism and, men Of
| both parties recognize it. Altho the
fortunes of the democracy appeared to
sink to about the lowest possible ebb in
the election OF last fall, it is q remark
able fact that today even republicans
do not deny that a change has come III
tho Mt titude of the public mind. Even
republicans agree that if the elections
/ for congress had been held last month
instead Of next November, nothing
could have saved them from an over.
wheln1ing defeat.
"I believe I can see about; what Is
poing to happen to the republicans,
said q well known member Of that party
today. 1--WE will fool along on the
rate question, permit the railroads and
4 tho senators who are in combination
with them. to force President. Roosevelt
into q compromise ON the railroad rate
! hill, do nothing on the tariff, fail to dc
i ANYTHING effective with the insurance
Z 3ouueestion and next fall the people vii
i rise up and shove us out Of the house
81 much as they repudiated the mckinley
law in 1890. And then, when it Is too
4 late, when the horse is gone, and tint
democratic donkey is in his place IN tn.
+ capitol barn, President Roosevelt ane
Iall the other republican leaders Will ge
I move on themselves and exclalm Will
J, one accord: For heaven s sake, let .
revise the tariff before the next presl
Dental campaign - E-= -
T. Chief Republican Hope.
: The chief hope Of the republican
! thought toward 1 big national vote 0
! protest, similar to that which swept s
q many cities last month, will not COT
+ tinue into the campaign of next yea
Z rests, in the expectation that, as u l1 9;
i, the democratic leaders will b1ngleI the
' moment. The Kilkenny row that hs
r 1e4o - J1,,, tho 1oy,,n0rqfo nf f. h
), house is in line with republican expect;
. lions of democratic discipline and pc
:. Torrance. %
q One republican leader put it this wa,
- in conversation: -~. -
a GIVE are fortunate in our enemy. Th
- democrats are showing q very poo
- quality of strategy: It they wei
= smart they would take advantage {
" the present situation and make sure {
the next house beyond all preadve ntur
The blunt truth Is that the republica
party here in Washington is in pickl
J. We can't agree on any important col
Q structive legislation.
e "The feeling between the executiy
lee and legislative branches, especially tt
# ing republican senators are trying
Re devise ways and means of sitting dow
on Roosevelt, and the president
1t straining every nerve to stir the peop
n and force the senate to respond to b
N wishes.
ut Golden Opportunity.
: eff the democratic leaders were wi
generals they would not announce the
ID intention to support a republican ra:
~ way bill, as Mr.. Williams did yesterda
. They would get up a bill Of their ov
~ and make it good one. Not being !
=, ~ sponsible, they should have no diffc,
, so' ty in agreeing to tactical move. VIII
70 we get into row, as we are pref
sure to do, let them come to the fro
ne with their bill and offer to save t
ny day in the opinion Of a great MAORI
or Of the people. The democrats have
m, golden opportunity, but I doubt if tn
are adroit enough to take advanta
re, Of it,