New-York tribune., 1906-09-04
KILLS CONGRESS HOPES
DEMOCRATS FEEL BLUE.
Bryan's Ne5o York Reception and
Speech Blast House Campaign.
1rrom Tn. rrlhun. Pureau.l ]

IFron The Tribune Buresu.l
Washington, Sept. s.-Whatever may prove 10
be the ultimate effect Of William j. Bryan's re-
ception and his radical declaration in favor OF
government ownership Of railroads. It's inmeoi-
ate effect has been to destroy the last vestise OF
interest i'm the campaign his party is conducting
for the control of the House. This is reluctantly
admitted by those In closest touch with the CAM
paign, and melancholy reigns at the headquarters
OF the Democratic Congressional COMMITTEES IN
this city
The record OF the Republican majorities In the
last session of Congress. the undiminished pop
ularity of President Roosevelt and the general
disposition Of the voters let well enough alone
had combined TO make the efforts OF the Demo-
cratic committee sufficiently uphill work. but
there were a few contributions coming I'm and
some slight evidences of enthusiasm up to the
time that Mr. Bryan landed In New York.
Then all Democratic eyes were riveted on him.
and the most loyal members of the party ap-
peared TO forget the Congressional campaign
But since Mr. Bryan has declared himself on
railroads and antagonized the Solid South the
prospects of a divided and ineffective party In
1908 have proved too much for the optimism of
the most enthusiastic Democrat. and the Hon
Jim Griggs has been obliged to devote his
entire attention 10 the problem Of maintaining
workers. printing campaign literature and pay
II is noteworthy that there is generally COM
paratvely little interest in the Congressional
campaign. Even the Republicans are reported 10
be prone 10 look forward to 1903 rather than 70
remember the earnest appeals of the Hon. Jim
Sherman for dollar contributions. but this is not
regarded by any means Ominous sign for
the Republicans, beyond the Inconvenience TO
which the committee may be put in meeting
campaign expenses On the contrary, II is main
tained. and with reason that the apparent
apathy Ot the voters merely indicates that they
are entirely satisfied with existing conditions
and that when Election Day arrives they VIII
stroll quietly to the polls and drop their ballots
for continuation Of Republicanism and good
times.
general trend of affairs political For instance,
there are things doing in the I'd District OF
Maine, where certain labor leaders have gone
after the scalp OF Representative Littleheld.
The Democratic Congressional Committee ad-
mits that fl is very short of heavy guns, but IL
has responded 10 the appeal Of the Democrats in
Mr.. Littefelds district and will send Repre-
sentative Charles Towne to reply 20 Secretary
Taft and Speaker Cannon, who viii address the
voters I'm Mr.. Littlefeld's behalf. Mr. TOwne will
speak in Rutland September and and I'm
Pennington on September s. He is now on his
way from oklahoma. where he has been SPELL
binding. and is expected I'm Washington to-mor-
row
IN certain districts OF New York there will be
some lively contests. and Iowa has witnessed an
exciting struggle for the control of the state or
ganization but. taking the country as a whole
there Is an entire lack OF interest in the Demo-
tain the Republican majority which has accom-
plished so much under the skilful guidance OF
President Roosevelt.
Perhaps Wisconsin presents the most notable
exception 70 the general rule. There factiOnal
o1nerences have created strife and the adherents
OF Senator La Toilette are reported ready 10 sac
rffce Republican seats IN the House rather than
permit lifelong Republicans who refuse 10 bow
70 the domination OF the Governor Senator TO be
returned II is reported that Representatives
Miner and Stafford Will be defeated and even
representative Babcock has serious fight be-
fore him. or course the first contests will occur
at the primaries but IL Is maintained that IL the
old members Of the House win there the effort
TO defeat them viii not stop short of the polls.
No matter how little interest is taken IN
politics elsewhere. Ohio Is always ready to con-
duct a war to the death and this year is no ex-
ceptton to the rule Representative Burton has
thrown down the gauntlet to Senator Foraker,
and there promises TO be a lively contest for con-
troll of the state organization, but the we'll
posted ones say that whatever they may DO TO
each other the Ohio Republicans will not fall
TO squelch their Democratic brethren, and they
will give excellent account OF themselves
when Election Day arrives.