Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1907-12-12
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.


There was nothing notable about the
assembling Of Congress, except the
look of anxiety on the faces Of most
of the Republican members, who fear
that the Republican party will be held
responsible for the panic and the
business depression that has set in.
Republican politicians are poor losers,
for after years of success they had
come to believe that their party was
invincible, and to discover suddenly
for the panic was a great surprise to
most of them-that the prosperity bub-
BILE had vanished, has left them with
dropping wings and crests. The real
leaders are trying to resuscitate them
and urging that a bold face be put
on bad matter. Even the Presidents
message betrayed this disconsolate
feeling, and instead of the bold and
boastng statement presented in other
messages there is an apologize vein
running through it, which indicates
that Mr.. Roosevelt was also surprised
and has not yet recovered his seren.
ity and the fear of the political effect
Of the panic upon his party.
The hotels and the Hobbies of Con-
gress are already filed up with an
army of lobbyists. who always congre.
gate when a Republican Congress is
in session, which is the magnet that
draws such a cOnglomeration of pa.
triots, all shouting for the old flag
and an appropriation
The Democrats naturally feel en-
couraged by seeing the detection of
their political opponents. and all feel
that If the party can unite on plat
form and candidate. the chances of
carrying the necessary doubtful States
would be very favorable. But no truth.
full chronicler of events can overlook
the fact that there still exist divergent
factions in the party on the question
of policies and candidates. This was
emphasized by the "spat" between
Senator Daniel, OF Virginia, and Mr., |
Bryan who the Senator believes is |
trying to dictate to the party new and |
untried policies, which he views as un.
democratic. AS Senator Daniel was |
one Of the warmest and most able sup |
porters of Mr., Bryan in 1896, and is
personal friend, his criticism can only |
be intended for the benefit of Mr..
Bryan and the party generally. His
advice to Mr. Bryan in 1900 that TO
force the silver issue into the plat.
form would be fatal. is now followed
by the advice not to dictate new and
untried policies, If YOU want TO sue
coed" said he to Mr.. Bryan you
must quit riding rough-shod over all
the members OF the party" Senator
Daniels record Of four terms in the
United States Senate, always voting
In the interest of the people, and his
leading the delegation from his state
to six National Conventions, entitled
ais opinion to the greatest respect on
matters of party policy.
Former Senator Steward Of Nevada,
who was an ardent supporter Of Mr.
Bryan in 1896, has been in the city
the past week lie declares that In
his opinion, MIR Bryan cannot be- elect
ed as such new policies as Govern.
ment ownership Of railroads, and the
guaranty Of deposits In
National banks will lose him the votes
OF business men, for the amount d..
posted In State banks would b" still
have talked with a large number
OF Congressman the past few days on
the policies the party should pursue,
and ! find that while thos" who favor
the nomination Of Mr. Bryan are gen.
orally outspOkcn. there are many who
fear that be cannot unite the discard
ant elements 80 a. to insure success
But there Is no effort being made To
on any other candidate
or course, all Democrats will do their
best TO overcome the handicap. u Mr.
Bryan Is nominated