The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-12
OLD PARTIES FEAR
THE G0MPERs' VOTE
Continued From First Page.

-
there is a majority Of from twenty to
twenty-five. ii" go. .- ~-
These estimates are made on the nor
NAL basis of a straight fight between re-
publicans and democrats. Should labor
thus elect it's candidates in dozen or
more Of the republican districts where
contests will be made, it might have the
balance of power in the next house,
and as result find both parties bid
ding heavily for it's support. Such an
ton of the dream of President Samuel
Gompers. With a campaign fund of
million or more at his command, and
the labor fight we'll managed and con-
fined to about thirty districts, he be-
lieves the result here spoken Of can
be secured.
To many careful thinking and intel
ligent party. workers in both the old
parties, this is the greatest threat which
tains. Speaking broadly, both the old
parties, as represented by their lead
ers, in New York at this time, believe
that worse things could happen the
country than for labor to have sub
stantial representation in the house Of
representatives. With office comes re-
sponsibility, and with responsibility
comes conservatism, and both sides cite
as as f vn an illustration in point
Neither of the old parties, however,
wants to see a dozen or two labor
members holding the balance of power
in the house, thus creating a legisla-
tive situation fraught with the farthest
reaching consequences to the country
Labor Deep: Poser.
| It is noteworthy that neither Of the
| old parties is prepared to make guess
as to what labor may accomplish this
year. Both say that it will not be
time to make estimates until the fore
until after the Maine election, which
falls upon the 18th of that, month.
Meanwhile, they; are disinclined to treat
the labor movement dts a joke. The
potentialities Of the movement are too
great for that. III, 81 9.,.... -..-rs.2.
It was the original intention of the
republican campaign managers to es-
tablish western headquarters in Chi
cago this year, as usual, Representa-
gressional committee, to be in charge.
But this plan has been abandoned ow-
| ING to the committee lack of funds,
and Mr.. Tawney is to Join the other
officers of the committee in New York
the latter part of this month, or shortly
after his return from a business trip
to Arizona, which is taking his time
at present. <.. ... .
As between New York and Chicago
as the place fol-" the campaign head
quarters, New York was selected be-
cause of it's close proximity to certain
Of New England and the middle east
ern states where labor is to make de-
termined stand. Mr.. Tawney will be
expected to supply whatever informa.
ton the committee may need about the
middle west, and it will be part of
to Chicago to meet party leaders from
the close districts and states Of that
section.
In other words, the republican cam.
paign this year Is to be conducted In
that hand to-mouth fashion so familiar
to the democrats for ten years, or since
the last Cleveland campaign, when their
treasury was larger than that Of the
republicans. -.
Dollar Plan Poor.
AS result Of careful talks with re
publican leaders in this city. I am il
position to state that the dollar-sub
scription plan is not panning out. 81
far, less than enough money has beer
collected to pay for fitting up the com
mittee quarters on the thirteenth foo
; of tn, st. James building on Broad
way, just above the Fifth Avenue hotel
: year from the great corporations, which
: hitherto have come to the relief Of tn
republican party If rich men give thi
year, it will be Of their own privat
funds Later on, after the failure O
the dollar donation idea has become ar
G parent, the hat will be passed anon
i the wealthy men of the party, but tn
= outcome Of this program does no
: promise at this time to be howlngl
/. successful. The democrats tried tn
v dollar-subscription plan in, 1896, whe
k their party was worked up to degre
{, of enthusiasm no party in this countr
e the result was very dissatisfaction
" How much more 80 will be it at presen
> say the republicans, when there is notl
n ing in the campaign to stir up the e1
d thusiasm Of the average member {
h the party9
Atmosphere Not Cheerful.
n Because of the financial outlook, Il
n. atmosphere at republican COMPRESSION
=. h quarters is not cheerful. All necessa1
n bills so far as the headquarters a
20 concerned. will, Of course, be paid, b
* that there will be anything Of cons
A. quence with which to carry on the cal
, palgn work. over the country, In Il
manner Of former years, is SO unlike
as to stamp the campaign with all Il
gloom Of poverty before it has fair
! opened.
IL Should Mr.. Littlefield be defeated
Maine, or nearly defeated-his norm
/. majority. is about 5,000-it need 81
n prise nobody to- find the republica
+, bidding at once for labor support in
ed dozen or more districts in other state
re and the campaign as a whole taking
as a color that will carry consternati
an into the ranks Of conservative men
ST both parties.
r. For the reasons here Bet forth, tho
readers Of The j ourn al who wa
III to keep an eye on the most INTEREST,"
nd phase of the congressional campai
ID this year should not lose sight Of t
f. labor movement in general, and Of t
er second Maine district in particular T
ed Maine elections for many years ha
ely been sort Of index Of what the cou
at try as q, whole would probably do II
OF year. Maine Is second congressional
as trict seems likely to indicate in q