Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1904 — WASHINGTON LETTER. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER.

Political and Oenral Oossip of tha , National Capitol. Special Correspondence to The Democrat: Chairman Cowherd of the Democratic Congressional Committee has issued his forecast of the results in the coming election and by it be shows that the Democrats will gain most of the admittedly doubtful congress districts, giving them a comfortable working majority in the Honse. It is significant, too, that present indications are that three of the most prominent Republican members of the Honse will, after the present Congress, be permitted to retire to private life. These three are Representative Babcock of Wisconsin and Representative Overstreet and Heminway of Indiana. Mr Babcock is the chairman of the Republican Congressional Committee and Mr. Overstreet is secretary, while Mr. Hemenway succeeded Mr Cannon as chairman of the important committee on Appropriations, when Cannon was elected Speaker. t t t Friends of Representative John Sharp Williams, and their name is legion, are greatly elated by Mr. Cowherd’s forecast as it is practically assured that with a Democratic majority in the lower chamber Mr. Williams would succeed Mr. Cannon as Speaker. Mr. Williams has made the ablest leader the Democrats have, had for many years and the elevation to the Speaker’s chair would prove a fitting recognition of his excellent and earnest work in his present difficult capacity. It is intimated, tor», that Chairman Cowherd would, in the event of Democratic control of the House, succeed Mr. Hemenway as chairman of the committee on Appropriations. t t t The valuable services of William J. Bryan in Indiana have received signal recognition, not only from the members of the national committee but from Mr. Parker bimself who has written to Mr. Bryan thanking him for the splendid services he has rendered his party. It is generally recognized that but for Mr. Bryan’s labors in Indiana the State would have given a large Republican majority whereas it is now looked to to give a gratifying majority for Parker and Davis. Aside from New York, which, although regarded as a safe Democratic State, requires constant looking after, Connecticut is now the center of Democratic activity. Reports from New York say that, despite the betting odds, which are 10 to 2 on Roosevelt, the Democratic managers are cheerful and even enthusiastic and that they expect the election of their candidates with several votes in the electoral college to spare. t t t The Democratic managers are looking daily for the arrival of Clarence Smythe who has been making investigations in Panama" and Columbia and who has advised the National Committee that he has proof of President Roosevelt’s having paid President Marroquin, of the United States of Columbia, $250,000 to promote and insure the success of the Panama revolution, in order that the way might be paved for this country to construct the isthmian canal by way of Panama and Colon. It is expected that these proofs will create a great sensation although the President and his advisors obstinately insist that no such proofs oan be produced. t t t One of the inexplicable feature of the last days of the campaign has been the attitude recently assumed by Representative Hearst who, in his New York newspaper, has attacked Parker for permitting ex-President Cleveland and ExSecretary Olney to appear on the stump in support of ihe Democratic ticket. Mr. Hearst declares that Cleveland and Olney are as closely associated with the trusts as any member of the Republican party and that in permitting them to appear for him and mellowing their voices to be heard in Democratic councils Mr. Parker is betraying the “real Democrats” in the party. Mr. Hearst, although now a Democratic member of Congress and renominated by a Democratic convention, has also shown insubordination by accepting the endorsement of the populist convention, in direct ence to Leader Murphy of Tammany Hall. It is generally believed that such methods most resalt in the disciplining of Hearst after eleotion, although it may be inexpedient to undertake it in advance, of November 8. t t t There is being made an attempt on the part of the Repablioan cam-

paign managers to create the impression that Alton B. Parker is the candidate of the Standard Oil Company. Suoh a charge is utterly without foundation. It is based on the fact that State Senator Pat McCarren and Delanoey Nicoll, both ardent supporters of Mr. Parker, are closely affiliated with the Standard Oil Company. But, contrary to the allegations 6f the Repnblioan press, neither of these men was responsible for Mr. Parker’s nomination which was the result of the unanimous choice of the Democratic national convention and not brought about by any two or three admirers of the Esopus jurist. t t t Judge Parker has decided to make three speeches before election, one in New York, one in New Jersey and one in Connecticut, while it is barely possible that he may be induced to extend his trip further west. At one time Chairman Taggart thought he had prevailed upon Mr. Parker to go as far west as Chicago but later the presidential candidate changed bis mind and he will be unable to go west at all, much as he appreciated the corciality with which he would be received. Mr. Parker has already replied to Senator Knox with great effect and there is reason to believe that he will give the Republican candidates some s mous food for thought in the speeches he is now preparing, A November sale; many mark downs for this special sale. Chicago Bargain Store.