The Washington herald., 1909-05-17

New York, Nay 16.-A Washington spe-
eial 10 the Sun says:
Two eminent Democrats, William J.
Bryan. of Nebraska. and Gov John A.
johnson, Of Minnesota. and a captain Of
industry, James J. Hill. are on record
this week with assertions that the Dem
ocra;ic party viii control the House in
the next Congress If the Republicans fan
10 revise the tariff downward.
Conservative Republicans pooh-pooh the
thought that they are in danger Of los
ing the House They view the future
with composure. declaring that when
Congress has completed its work the
country viii be satisfied with the new
tarin law. They look for such a revival
in the activities Of trade and commerce
as win determine the people to stand pat
on lis representation IN the lower branch
OF Congress
IN conversation with a Republican mem
Der from Minnesota few weeks ago
James J. Hin said in effect:
Hill sounds a Warning.
IF You Republicans faH to keep your
platform pledges on the tariff you viii
be in the minority in the next House
The people were promised downward re-
vision. II IS not for me 10 say that YOU
are revising the tariff downward or Up
ward But If you should pass a tariff law
thzt does not meet with the approval OF
the people the next House VIII be con-
trclled by the Democrats
Mr. Bryan has written q letter to a
friend in Washington il which he predicts
that the Democratic party viii control
the House in the Sixty-second Congress.
He declares great Dissatisfaction exists
over the tariff biz. and Re does not ex-
pect 10 see q law passed that Will meet
with popular approval.
Mr. B-yan's letter indicates that he is
il an optimistic frame Of mind. He does
not say whether he viii be a candidate
for denomination n 80 As Mr Bryan
always talks in that vein. his opinions co
not have the weight with politicians that
is given 10 the views OF men ike Mr. Hiu
and Gov Johnson
Gov Johnson Optimistic
Gov. Johnson. who VIII be a contender
for first honors in he Democratic na-
t.oaaI convention Of 1912, was IN town
last week. He expressed the opinion that
things were looking Up for his party. He
criticised the tariff bill row in course
OF preparation. and declared the Repub-
Tcans would have 70 pass a better tariff
law than was now promised Il they ex-
pected 10 be successful in The Congress
elections next year
Both Bryan aaC johnson are keenly
Interested in ire outcome OF the struggle
between the ;wo parties in 1910
Republicans who are inclined 20 discuss
the political effect cf the new tariff law
give reasons for their belief that the
party is not IN danger Of losing the
House They say that present signs
point 70 q return OF prosperity. which
VIII surely arrive when the tariff law IS
spread upon the statutes. Business is
already recovering. they say. IN ire fan
Il VIII begin 10 boom and by the time
the Congressional elections Of 1910 roII
around the people, IN the midst OF fat
tines, VII forget any resentment they
may have felt over particular schedules
II the tariff bill.
Reublicans further assert that though
they are in control Of both branches OK
Congress. Democrats have had an impor-
tant part in framing the tariff measure.
especially in the Senate. It Is pointed out
that IN the House. as well as in the Sen
ate, soma Of the strongest speeches "a
vorable 10 higher duties were made by
Democrats. Free lumber, demanded by
the Middle West. was defeated by q COM
bination Of Republicans and Democrats
Had the Democrats followed their na-
tiCnal platform OF 1905. which declared
fCr free lumber, that product would have
teen admitted free IN the Payne bill as
8; passed the House Along other lines
the Democrats have bitterly fought sOr
protection, and have stood with Repub-
leans IN voting for T.
Thrift Not Party Question.
"A Democrat who denounces the tariff
law IN the next campaign viii be in
sorry plight" declared an old Re7ubIican
wheel horse The tariff has ceased to
be party question L Is local issue.
paramount IN Democratic communities
as well as in Republican communities
When Democrat tells YOU that he e
fer tariff for revenue he means ne
wants protection for the State or dis.-ir+
which hs represents. The tariff viii no.
be an issue next year. II we have rood
times then. and everything points -
return OF prosperity, our Democrs7,c
brethren VIII continue TO be in the MT
nority"
Efforts are now making by conservative
Democrats 10 render Mr.. Bran 2 ,erl;-
bic quantity in party ccanci3s. ATsnv
Southern organizations that supDo-+az
him in the last convention WIN have No
more OF him. N the fight over ere
House rules az the beginning Of the u-es-
ent session Bryan figured as an issua
and the sO-called Democratic Insurgents
represented an element that baked a.
the leadership OF nen who train with
the peerless one.
Representative Frank Clark. Daro-
crat from Florida, in discussing political
questions during the consideration of TIE
Payne bill in the House. denounced Brv-
an and Bryanisra His ceustfc ~efare1~ss