Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-24
FIGHT IN PROSPECT.
The Federal Elections Bill Will Be a
Bone of Contention
WHEN CONGRESS- MEETS AGAIN.
Lodge Still Sticks To His Bill and Talks of
Coming Work.
APPORTIONMENT BILL WILL PASS
lrRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT ]

| lFROM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON. November 23.-It is
evident that there will be good deal OF
heated discussion among the Republicans
in Congress as to the course to be taken
with regard to the elections bill. The in
clination among leading Senators is to let
the bill die in committee. but as the more
radical members OF the House appear on
the scene. it is plainly apparent that they
will be almost as aggressive as they were
at the last session in defense of the bill and
determination to force its passage. A
sufficient number of Senators show dis
position to agree with them to form a
nucleus, around which to rally, and with
which to dragoon the conservatives ones
into a support of the bill.
The greatest obstacle possibly that will
be found in the way, is the necessity of
passing the appropriation bills and an
apportionment bill, and the short time that
remains for the work. In any event an
apportionment bill must be passed, even
though the appropriation bills should be
allowed to fail, as, though the new Congress
could safely be entrusted to meet in extra
session and pass the appropriation bills, it
would not do to let it have a chance at the
apportionment bill. The certainty that
there will be a long fghtover the apportion-
ment bill, renders it risky to allow even a
bill that is already out OF the House and in
the Senate to interpose an extended
discussion in the way OF the apportionment
bill.
LODGE ADHERES TO HIS BILL.
1t is a complication which leads the Re-
publIcans to be exceedingly careful about
expressing themselves until they have had
time and opportunity to counsel with each
other, and the more they talk about it, as
they slowly drop into the city, the more
serious the diversity Of opinion seems to be.
Henry Cabot Lodge is one of the last i'm
portant arrivals. He still adheres to his
convictions In regard to the bill which bears
his name, and declares that the Senate must
redeem its promise to pass the measure.
"While haven't con erred with anyone
since my arrival" said Mr.. Lodge to-day,
81 believe that the Republicans in Con-
gress have the ability and disposition to
enact all of the legislation that is in pros
pect before the 4th Of March. Possibly we
would not object to an extra session, how
ever. fancy it would not be bad politics
to allow the Democrats to get to work as
soon as possible with hot-head like Mills
for Speaker, and with a majority that will
travagances."
On the threshold of his return to Wash
lngton. Mr.. Lodge meets statement which
he Denies He has been quoted as saying
that many Republicans voted for the Nc
Kinley bill against their convictions and
were dragooned into its support by McKin-
ley's assertions that he knew what was best
for the party. Mr.. Lodge says such a state
ment never came from him.
NEVER MADE THE STATEMENT.
"I believe" he said, although I have
never even said this before, that the bill
was not satisfactory in every detail to all the
Republicans in the House, but they voted
for it, believing that in its entirety it was
the best bill that could have been passed
under the circumstances. But no one ex-
poets that a tariff bill will please every
body"
&. "Will the Republicans amend it ?'
ST think not"
"What will the majority do this session ?''
1--WE will pass an apportionment bill.
say that it will be the Dunnell bill as it
stands at present, but it will be bill framed
and agreed TO by the majority. suppose
the Democrats will regard any bill which
does not give them every advantage as an
unfair and partisan measure, but" added
Mr.. Lodge. with quiet smile, "the Demo-
cratic majority will not come in until the
9TH of March,"
"Will the Republicans have a working
quorum to pass the bill 90
Eyes; you will find that the Republicans
will be on hand. Mr.. Cannon struck the
right note when he said that we would do
our duty. There will be no trouble about a
quorum" LIGHTNER.