President Roosevelt has achieved a rather remarkable victory in internal
politics. The " bosses " or managers of the Republican party were annoyed by his demand that Trusts should be controlled by the national Government, a policy which they saw would deprive the party of its heaviest subscribers for election contests. So strong, however, is the popular feeling in his favour that, after ten Western States bad endorsed his policy, Mr. Platt, the " boss " of New York Republicans, who had publicly condemned his action, "climbed down," and agreed, in conference with other leaders, that the President should be recommended for the election of 1904. There remain two years before the nominating Conventions are held, and much may happen in the interval; but if this decision holds good, Mr. Roosevelt will be nominated, and therefore re-elected. The victory is remark- able as one more proof that professional " managers " rarely understand the people, and that when a strong leader insists on his own policy they are either defeated or " come to heel." The great Beef Trust, if it is formed as reported and raises the price of beef, will make Mr. Roosevelt's election a certainty, even if it does not produce a popular explosion against Trusts. They should leave bread, meat, and salt alone.
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