The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-05-12

REPUBLICANS SEEK ISSUES
| AGAINST DEMOCRATS
HAVING. VERY POOR LUCK
Wilson Says America First"-Let
the Democrats Run the Govern
ment and if Politics Must be Talk
ed the Republicans Must Talk It
Administration Strong.
If Isaak Walton were alive to-day,
says P. H. MCGOWAN in The State, he
unquestionably would find in the
craftsmanship oI the Republican ma
tional committee field for his pisca-
torial pursuits. But there is reason
to doubt if even he, with all the
prowess credited to him by legion
of followers, could land with a tram
mel net the catch the G. o. P. is
angling for.
That this is the fishing season in
the Republican camp no peruser OF
the columns of stuff being turned out
by the anti-administration press
agents may doubt. The big prize
sought, of course, is the presidency,
but more particularly the power that
goes with the office to restore a
horde Of politicians to the pie coun-
ter.
Disciples Of. Walton agree that to
catch fish one must have the tools.
The tools in politics are the issues.
And it is in casting about for basis
Of attack upon President Wilson that
the Republican leaders-make your
choice-are dragging their lines
through unproductive pools. So far
they have succeeded only in drawing
scavengers, which even the Old Guard
discards!
Immediately following the out
break Of the European war what was
then left of the G. O. P. sought to re-
vive the moss-covered 'tfull dinner
pail. 81 It was worked over in the
1914 congressional campaign, with
the result that the Democrats retain
ed control of both branches of con-
gress.
In the closing days of the recent
session and since strenuous efforts
have been made by the opposition to
make the people believe that the par
ty in power was responsible for the
business slumps incident; as every
student of economics knows, not to
the constructive legislation enacted
by the Democrats, but solely to the
condition of belligerency in the old
world. .
In one breath the Republicans
charged that the Underwood tariff
law had closed the mills, strangled
business and turned thousands of
workers into the Streets In the next
they admitted that the passage Of the
new currency law and the establish
ment Of the federal reserve, system
saved the country in the greatest
crisis Of its history.
To-day, when the balance Of trade
with Europe has turned in favor Of
the United States, when all lines of
industry are feeling the benefits of
returning prosperity, when normal
conditions are returning, when the
outlook in agricultural and manufac-
turing centres is brighter than in
years, only Republicans Of the rabidly
partisan stripe are aggrieved.
They tried to rock the boat when
the ship Of state was navigating
perilous waters, and now that the
governmental craft has come into a
safe harbor, not with their help, but
despite their attempts to scuttle the
vessel, they are weakly proclaiming
that the improvement is only tenn
porary and are praying for drought
or anything that will incubate an
other hard winter.
For the time being, however, they
have decided to cease shouting that
only under Republican rule may pros
porous times be expected. Just now
they are striving to rebuild their own
organization, and gather in one cor
raj the warning factions in their own
family.
They are hoping that Col. Roose-
velt will come back home, but trem-
Bile at the effect Of the disclosures
now being made in the judicial con-
fessional at Syracuse, where the col
onel and BOSS" Barnes are busy
telling the truth about each other
and revealing the invisible govern
ment" of a once great party.
The progressive element that
formed the Bull Moose organization
is watching the Developments from
the side lines. The purely profess
sional crowd in that party has shown
signs, it is true, of rejoining the men
they denounced in 1912, but the
great silent HORDE of independents
have both the COZ sentative and lib
eral chieftains guessing.
While the carpenters are trying to
reconstruct the Republican house, the
agitators are striking out in all direc-
tions in desperate effort to find an
issue that will stick. Here are few
Of the bats they have thrown out for
the consideration OF the party ma
ayers:
The repression of animosities
growing out of the dissatisfaction of
belligerents with the conduct of the
United States during the European
war.
The solution of the Mexican prob
lem.
The negotiation of commercial
treaty with Russia that will give the
American Jew the right guaranteed
by his citizenship in travelling
through the cars domain.
Protection of Americans in Turkey.
Preservation of friendly relations
with Japan and preservation of
American rights in China.
Retention and extension of foreign
markets for American goods created
by the war.
= Limitation of armament by the ma
tions of the world.
While these questions are impor-
ta0t they inst now are receiving the