Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-01
The PreaIdant ID a Lander.


The Washington special from yester-
days Now York Herald, which we reprint
elsewhere in this issue contains sig
nihcant and convincing presentation Of
the Republican situation at Washington,
and one which may be said to cover the
Republican situation throughout the
country.
When the polls closed on the night Of
the Presidential election in 1904, Presi-
dent Roosevelt stood forth as the unchal-
lenged leader Of the Republican party.
He had been nominated by the Republi-
can National Convention without the
shadow Of opposition, and he had been
elected President by an overwhelming
majority Of che popular vote Such a
result, in a campaign throughout which
tho opposition party had made steady
and consistent contest and certainly
was not demoralized, no matter what
may have been its drawbacks, was almost
without parallel in the political history
of the country lt marked President
Roosevelt as one Of the most command
ing of political leaders.
But how different the situation today,
with the administration but little more
than one-iourth gone and the Congress
elected with il in session less than six
months. The popularity Of the leader
has been immensely discounted the Re
publican majority in Congress is divided
and demoralized.
The trouble undoubtedly is, as the
Herald correspondent assumes, "that the
party has a leader who has signally failed
to lead" Either that or the leader has
signally failed TO command his following
But il is a failure distinct and pronounced
no matter which proposition may be taken
as the correct explanation of existing con-
diiions.
With the prestige Of his remarkable
victory, and the Endorsement given hi.
administration by large maiorities IN
each branch Of Congress, with the clos,
cooperation he has ever commanded
from the Speaker of the House Of Rep
resentatives, President Roosevelt shoulc
have made his administration famous fol
its achievements in legislation, no matter
whether they were in accord with publ,
sentiment or merely the result Of his domi
mating influence But instead Of success
ful leadership there has been ahsolut,
failure. Muttorings OF discomfort hav,
attended the servile compliance of th
House of Representatives with the dc
crees Of the White House, while opoi
revolt has prevailed among the Republi
can leaders of the Senate, even thoue
the President pleaded with them in porso
to give assent 20 those measures of leris
lation which he had approved as repre-
sonting the policies of his admins
tration.
Unless n radical change shall be brourh
about-and certainly there is little ind
cation that President Roosevelt will b
able TO do this-his administration wi
be in danger Of running up against
humiliating repudiation when the peopI
pass judgment upon It at the Novomb,
elections. Already there are prediction
land by keen political observers. too
that a Democratic House Of Represei
tatives will be one of the results Of n
coming elections, while changes in n
Senate. by reason of Democratic contr
Of State Legislatures. are not improbahl
Two such are promised here in Delawar
where the leadership Of President Roos
welt has proved impotent in bringir
about a fusion Of the warning Republics
factions, which was one Of the tasks
which he set himself at the outset of b
administration
A political party with a discredit,
and distrusted leader Is in poor conditi,
TO successfully conduct q national can
paign. Such a campaign now conlron
President Roosevelt, and It fn
the administration party in Congre
divided and disgrmtled. That the evI
Of such a condition win have due efe
upon the rank and file Of the party vote
is only a natural sequence. Utter. abs
lnic failure as great political leader
the fate that now threatens the prosidc
whose popularity Was so marvellous on
few months ago.
s