Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-07-17

WAsHINGToN, July 10, go.

1t seems doubtful whether the Federal
Election bill can pass the Senate if the
Democrats have the determination to
| fight it to a finish There are several
| Senators who, if it came to a vote, might
vote for it but who do not think the
measure wise one, and who would be
glad to see it laid aside without vote.
They will do what thev can to bring this
about. Others there are who will never
vote for the measure under any circum-
stances. There is a determination on
the part of the friends of the measure to
force it through. Mr.. Reed saved the
President from the necessity of vetoing
free coinage silver bill, and it is believ
ed that in return for this service he will
seek and probably get the support of the
administration in the effort to secure ac-
ton on the Federal Election bill by the
Sanate. This gives promise to tremend-
Gus pressure-such pressure as might
naturally be expected to overcome all re-
sstance But it is evident that the only
way that the bill can be brought to vote
is by change of the rules of the Senate
so as to have the previous question or
dered and thus far cut off debate, There
are undoubtedly Senators who might not
have the firmness to resist party pressure
and vote against the bill directly who
would vote steadily against a change of
rules. A Republican Senator told your
correspondent that he knew personally
of enough Senators to defeat change of
rules who would vote with the Democrats
on that proposition. He did not think
that there was the least chance of the
Election bill passing. Unless there is
an understanding that the Federal Elec-
ton bill is not to be passed the Demo-
,lN,l, l. bat 10,
itf comes up to talk upon every paragraph,
and without saying any more than they
feel like saying about that measure they
can keep up the debate until the year
grows old. They can talk the Tariff bill
to death, as well as the Federal Election
bill. If, however, they are satisfied as
to the latter measure the tariff discussion
may not last very long.
The members of the Senate Finance
Committee show no great disposition to
get together for further discussion of the
tariff question, and from this indication
it seems more than likely that the real
battle on the tariff will not begin for
some time. The committee has yet to
take under consideration the reciprocity
question. 1t now appears that not only
did the members of the Finance Com
mittee have the reciprocity question un-
der discussion before Mr.. Blaine's letter
was sent to the Senate, but they laid the
matter informally before the President
for his sanction. They then learned
that it was the intention of the President
to send to Congress letter on the sub
ject written by Mr.. Blaine. Not wishing
to anticipate this action, they did moth.
ing further in the matter. They car
hardly be said to favor the Blaine propc
sition, for the proposition that was laid
before the President by them differed
materially from that of the Secretary o.
State. The reciprocity question, how
eyer, has taken very vague form as yet
but it is quiet among the possibilities
that in some shape it will be adopted by
the Senate.