Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-19
me ERECT on the Party.

Il Is said In Washington that many
prominent Republicans arc greatly wor-
jtied over the manner In which the adj
administration has been forced into It's
lerosent unfortunate position relative 70
the Railroad Rates bill negotiations and
lover the probable effect Of disclosures that
Aare no longer denied upon the Republican
party. No Republican President ever
baiore sought deliberately to defeat his
lown party with Democratic aid Before
the disclosures Of Mr.. Roosevelt's dealings
with Democrats In order to defeat two
thirds Of the Republican Senators the
Iparty managers were considerably con-
lceEned about the approaching Congress
sicnal and State elections because Of the
tariff issue. They know now that their
work Of carrying the next House has been
made doubly difficult. They are appre-
hensive that the Presidents negotiations
with the Democrats and the manner in
which his consorting with them has been
emphasized will have stunning effect
on all straight party men and paralyze
the organization, particularly in the New
England, Middle and Eastern States.
II Is also apparent 10 these Republican
politicians that an administration on the
defensive is heavy load for political
party 10 carry, under the most favorable
circumstances. And when that admins
tration is discredited in the eyes Of is
party followers, as well as in the eyes of
the general public, the burden becomes
10 heavy AZ 70 threaten general political
disaster at the election next ensuing.
The situation that confronts the Repub-
lican party managers is one Of the most
serious in the political history Of the
country. II Is infinitely worse than the
position Of the Whig party when IL broke
with President Tyler. or the Republican
party when IL parted company with
President johnson. In each Of those in.
stances the party openly repudiated th,
administration and left il 10 what com.
fort u might derive from an alliance with
the opposition party But the Repub-
lican party cannot 70 TO tho extent Of
repudiating President Roosevelt although
many Of the leaders would no doubt like
to do 70 II will have TO 20 into thi.
years campaign with the administration
as a drag on the wheel Of the party chariot
instead Of lead horse throwing every
pound Of lis weight upon tho traces. II
will find It's organization divided into fac.
tions composed Of those who unquali6edly
stand with the President, those who con.
denim him but condone his offendings, and
the much larger body who will simply
grit their teeth and ondeavor to make Oh,
best Of bad situation.
Other troubles are In store for the man.
agers Of the Republican party. Tn,
failure Of Congress TO give heed TO th,
demand for tariff reform will lead to dis.
sensions in New England and the West
and should the Senate refuse to concur
in the House bill to remove the tax from
denaturized alcohol great howl will com,
up all over the country. For Il has beer
shown that this measure promises great
benefits to the people in the way Of
cheap and effective agency for heat, light
and power purposes, and failure to pas
the bill viii be ascribed to the infuenc,
Of the Standard Oil Trust, whose products
would find formidable competitor il
denaturized alcohol cheapened by thu
removal Of the tax.
That the political campaign of this yea
will prove unusually interesting is alread,
assured; and that it may result unpleas
antly to the Republican party is highl,
probable.