Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01
THE COMING CAMPAIGN
Speaker Cannon Getting on His
Fighting Clothes.
HOUSE WILL BE REPUBLICAN
Expects Loss of Some Districts, but
Not Enough to Change.
QUESTION OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS
Is Causing Both Parties to Sit UP
and Take Notice-They Are
Somewhat Worried.
QUESTION OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS

Speaker Cannon is getting on his fighting
Clothes for the coming congressional cam
palgn Some of the weak-hearted brethren
have been pestering the Speaker with their
fears of a possible slump in the republican
majority. Every one who has gone to him
with his little troubles has been treasured
and heartened by the Speaker who doesn't
take the least bit of stock in their appre-
henson. He says that it is not at all like
ly that the present republican majority of
1i2 can be wiped out when the democrats
have no particular bill o. complaint against
the administration.
Speaker Cannon does not overlook the
fact that this heavy majority was due in
large part to Roosevelt's popularity. He
knows that in his own state several dis
tricts which have been normally democrat tic
for years We're carried last fall by the re-
publicans through the potency of Roose-
velts name. He realizes that in New
York. New England, Pennsylvania Ohio,
Indiana and some of the western states the
same influence served to turn democratic
districts republican. But the Speaker is
counting on the probability of the voters
remaining true to administration policies
even though this is not national election.
Expect to Lose Some Districts.
The republicans expect to lose some OF
the districts that came into the republican
column under the Roosevelt banner. But
the leaders do not apprehend that they will
lose enough of them to change the COM
plexiOn of the House. Getting down to rock
bottom arguments, the republican managers
are not able to perceive that the democrats
have any definite policies in the coming
campaign. No issues. they claim have been
presented In Congress thus far They say
that the main democratic hope is founded
upon the expectation Of the republicans
making a fzzle of rate legislation and
statehood. Speaker Cannon and his as
sistants do not admit the possibility of the
democrats realizing upon their expectations
in the premises The statehood bill will be
settled on It's merits, and. anyhow, the
country is not lying awake of nights, they
say, worrying about statehood. AS to the
rate bill, there Is not the slightest doubt in
the mind of any leading republican that
bill will be passed acceptable TO President
Roosevelt, and consequently agreeabIesto
the country at large.
No other definite issue is before Congress.
The session of four months has not dew
oped 1t is claimed by the republican lead
ers any distinctive issue between the two
parties They say that the democrats are
hanging around on the outskirts of the re-
publican march of progress hoping to pick
off few stragglers here and there, but not
confident Of at any time turning the flank.
The minority In the House up to this
time Its is claimed by the republican lead
republican possession without being able
to make good any particular bill of COM
plant. 1t is quite true. the republicans say,
that the republican party has had its trou-
bles and still Is in the midst of some per-
plexities. But It Is a way the republicans
have of fussing and squabbling among
themselves and then at the last moment
getting together with show of unanimity
and presenting a determined front to the
opposition. Speaker Cannon thinks that
such will be the outcome OF the present en-
barrassments of the party.
Question Of Funds
Revealing some of the heart throbs of the
republicans and some of the thoughts which
brings perspiration to their brows 1t might
be said that the question of campaign funds
IS causing them to sit up and take notice.
1t takes money to run congressional cam
paign The legitimate expenses of litera-.
ture. speilbinders, special trains for the big
takers and campaign contributions for the
poor brethern run into high figures In
every campaign there are a certain number
OF men who can't afford to put up, for
their own legitimate expenses and have TO
be helped out by the committee II Is we'll.
known to the public that some senators who
have had campaign revenue available In
the past are likely to be cut on this year.