The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-08-15
QUAY FINDS HIMSELF IN HOT WATER
His Scheme TO Drop the Election Bill
StrenuousIy Opposed.
Western and Southern Representa-
tlves Threaten RetaIiatory Warfare
Senators Discuss the Matter In the
LIvelIest Caucus of the Year.
ISpecial 10 the Press.1

WASHINGTON, August l4-The Republi-
can Senators are this evening in the most i'm
portant caucus of the session. The bargain
between the Democrats and Quay with a few
other Republican Senators, to sacrifice the
federal election bill in order to secure the
easy passage of the tariff bill, has aroused
storm Of indignation against Quay and all
others with him who re willing to waive
the party principles in order to make sure of
the passage of bill which they conceive to
be of especial value to their sections of the
country. How many Republican Senators
are with Quay it is difficult to say.
Perhaps there are half dozen. Teller and
Walcott OF Colorado, and perhaps Plumb Of
Kansas and a few others of the silver sena-
tors, with Cameron Of Pennsylvania and AL
drich Of Rhode Island, are credited as being
the supporters Of Quay's plan. The caucus
the most earnest Of the ses.
sion, probably the most earnest for several
years. Messrs. H0ar, Edmunds and SpOoner
are said to have prepared themselves during
the day to snse some f0rcible arguments
against the Senators who propose to trade
busy also today among the Senators, getting
together those who propose to stand by the
party.
The House has been an interested specta-
tor of the performance in the Senate, but not
an indifferent spectator. The Southern Re-
pHblicans, except Ewart and Coleman, are
very bitter against Quay and have told him
that he may kill the election bill IL he wants
to, but to remember that when the tariff bill
gets back to the House there may be some
Southern Republicans who will conclude that
the articles which Pennsylvania produces do
not need the protection given in the tariff
bill. The Western Republicans also are very
restive. Some Of the men from Michigan,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and
California. voted for the tariff bill when it
measure, although the sentiment Of their
states did not wholly approve OF all its condi-
tions. These men now say If the representa-
tives of the industries most directly benefit
ted by the tariff bill propose to calmly throw
over party obligation in. order to pass one
measure, 1t may be found that there are
other parties to the little arrangement besides
Messrs. Quay and the Democratic Senators.
There are said to be upwards Of forty west
ern men feeling thus and with the southern
Republicans they have been making some
pretty forcible remonstrances to the Senators
all day.
AS Senators do not proclaim their views
from the housetops, much uncertainty has
existed today as to the probable result of to-
nights caucus. Some have held that the
caucus will adopt Quay's resolution and thus
make the surrender sure and formal; but by
far the soundest opinion has been that the
caucus would decide that the federal election
bill must be taken up. This would force the
Quay band to give up their bargain or vote
openly with the Democrats against their
party. Some of the items of the tariff bill
which most interestRhodelsland were adopt
ed in the House by very close votes, and the
western men have been reminding Senator
Aldrich of this fact today,