New-York tribune., 1906-10-09
THE CONGRESS CAMPAIGN.

The Hon. Jim" Griggs and the Hon. John
Wesley Gaines are going through the motions of
conducting a campaign for the control of the
next House of Representatives. But, except for
occasional reminders that they are maintaining
headquarters at Washington and franking Mr..
Gaines's monolOgues in the House and other
standard Democratic literature to the voters.
the public would scarcely suspect that a national
canvass of any sort was being conducted under
Democratic auspices. The party, In fact, is too
busy now with other political problems to think
seriously Of capturing Congress even to desire
a victory which would involve the acceptance of
any national responsibilities. No such situation
mas arisen in the memory OF the present genera
ton, and the curious self-effacement of the
Democratic party a national organization this
year may perhaps be taken as a sign that it's
vitality is exhausted and that 1t Is destined to
suffer before long some radical transformation,
II not in name, at least in character
The Democratic party to-day in most Of the
great states is occupied exclusively with local
Issues and interests. 1t made some apparent
gains In Maine In September by lodging national
questions and identifying itself with the oppo-
sluon IN mat state TO an unenforced and ap-
parently unenforceable prohibition system. In
Massachusetts and New York it Is in the throes
OF an internal revolution, its emblem and ma
chinery having been captured by an Indepen-
dence League, whose aims and programme are
frankly inconsistent with what has formerly
passed as orthodox Democracy. In PENNSYLVANIA
1t has allied itself with the independent Repub-
licans who are fighting for domestic reforms and
general housecleaning IN the state admtnistra-
uon- In Illinois 1t is wrestling with the new
issue Injected into politics by Mr. Bryan in his
capacity as censor Of party morals-the issue
of excluding from Office OF leadership every per-
son retained by or interested in corporations
exercising public functions or seeking and en-
joying legislative privileges. In Texas, too, this
new rule Of conduct and eligibility has driven
all other issues to the WALL and the Hon. Joseph
W. Bailey is fiercely shouting persecution and
defending himself against the new school critics
who want TO annul his denomination as Senator
on the ground that he has accepted large fees
TOT pollucolegal services to corporations. In
other states if not absorbed In purely local actiy
lties, the Democratic party is contentedy uuies-
cent
As we pointed out at the beginning of the
campaign, the Democratic leaders have no issue
On which they can effectively appeal 10 tho
voters. They could not attack the Presidents
policies or the legislative record of Conpress
Tor IN both House and Senate Democratic Con
gressmen supported the President and. on the
'i.ai measures OF the session, voted in alliance
"-sH ',o i'e'uoiicahs. Ihe campaign managers
had only one recourse, and that n feehIs ona
10 make Il warmed over issue of tariff revision
But, with so many other diversions IN taron+ .
novelty seeking public, preaching tariff revision
was as the Hon. George Fred Williams RECENTLY
put IL, like beating a broken drum Tba
voters would not listen to the oldtime music
much less march TO It, and when Mr. Rrvon
came back from Europe and selected eovernmsnt
ownership and operation OF the railroads as N.
leading party issue for 1908 the tariff reyisers
TOOK 10 the WOODS Ihe Democratic Congress
81
cry Of the Madison Square Garden speech Th.
Congress committee has had 10 work 70 do NO
programme TO offer II is consequently nra-
pared to accept a defeat which from IT'S ouyn