Evening star., 1895-01-15
Yesterdays Senate Debate Threatens
Serious Things for the Future.
RW0 STRONG BIDS FOR LEADERSHIP
Hill and Gorman Bracketed To-
gether by Free Traders.
4 NOT NJ UGH MONY

given many prominent democrats very
great uneasiness. In their judgment it not
only com 'licates existing legislative diff
culties, but il threatens even more serious
things for the future.
Behold. they say, how the eagerness of
leadership will at times sweep even the
ablest and ordinarily the best tempered
men of their feet. AS far apart as they
seemed to be yesterday on the subject of
tariff legislation, Mr.. Hill and Mr.. German
are bracketed together by the extreme low
tariff men. Both have been accused OF
strong protection leanings The free traders
believe that il the New York Senator and
the Maryland Senator had been invited to
q council table at the beginning of the
present Congress and commissioned to draft
and present a tariff bill no disagreement
whatever worthy of the name would have
occurred between them. Differences as TO
rates this thing or that might nave
arisen, but the bill a whole would nave
speedily been completed, and as completed
would have represented protection senti-
Ment through and through. And the Tree
traders give reasons for their belief. They
point to the public utterances OF the two
men, and then to the fact that both come
from localities where protected industries
are numerous and influential, ana WheFe
political leaders, as a matter of necessity,
have been obliged to include those INDUS
tries and their influence in their calcula-
then, the free traders ask, could Such Lead
ers as Mr.. Hill and Mr.. German, each at
the head Of the party organization at nome,
and both famous for skill and good manage
ment escape the obligations of such en-
yironment? The free traders thus. In a
measure. excuse, while regretting, the at
titude of the two men.
A Bid for leadership.
This is all strange enough. considered in
the light of yesterdays combat Mr. Cor
man charged Mr. Hill with an alliance with
men who would have reduced the revenue
even below the present begsariy and IN
adequate figure, and Mr.. Hill retorted by
charging the responsibility of the much
abused compromise bill up TO the indlvid-
ua1 account of Mr.. German. Inc DEBATE
was not only spirited, but acrimonious.
The real position of neither man, as lt is
generally accepted, was to be gathered
from the charges of the other Drougnt
against him. The free traders IN parucu
lar sat with amazement on their races. ana
afterward expressed surprise that so lively
an exchange was possible between men
who. could they but have had their way.
would have passed bill not only providing
for revenue enough but for protectlon
enough to satisfy even the repupiicahs
themselves.
There is but one explanation of this either
In democratic or republican circles, anu
that is that the future leadership OF the
democracy Is in the balance and each Oh
the two men in question Is STRIVING 10 nave
the beam tipped his way. Both are regard
ed as strong men, and, while unlike III
many things, they yet have many Things
i'm common. For one thing especially, poth
are regarded as remarkable Ihey are
thought to read the future ABOUT as ac-
curateIy as any two men who nave ap-
reared in American politics in half CEN
tury Both foresaw and foretoid the ul-
wisdom of their partys course last year,
and for that reason both are at pains
now. il is believed, to clear their skirts OF
all responsibility in the premises. Botn
foresee now. il is thought, wnat the Iuture
will demand of the democracy, ana hence
ore prltting themselves on record IN tiine.
Both il would seem. are persuaueu .iii'
no more extreme tariff policies VIII pc toi-
Grated by the country. They are calcuiat-
ing on a rev and conservative leauershlp
tn the south and elsewhere, and each hopes
10 see that leadership take the course on
the tariff as on other questions, nereto-
fore pursued by himself
Gorman's Change of Front.
Tbere was enc point in Mr.. Hills speech
Yesterday which several prominent men
had expected to hear made in some way loT
some time. Mr.. Hill charged Mr.. German
with having changed front on the question
of the income tax very unexpectedly. The
story that has been in circulation ever
since last summer is that before taking his
extreme and urcomproml5lnS stahd on .ne
income tax Mr.. Hill ccnsulted with MT.
C,orman ad received assurances OF un-
qualified support from the Maryland Sena-
tor He had determined to make the hSht,
hut he wanted all the support he could get,
and naturally turned to Air. Gorman rs lhe
ore Senator more than any other, who
could if he would render the most Valu-
able assistance. Mr.. Hill, 1t is said. has
always regarded Mr. Germans conduct In
that matter as strange and beyond excuse.
lie has felt that the Maryland Senator
abandoned him after having encouraged
bin to take the field. Mr.. Gorman has
never replied to the complaint. but his
IL q
of Mr. Hill. He did not, they admit, in
aorse the income tax, but when ne saw
that further opposition would De IN Vain,
and that the question presented was tarln
bill with an income tax, or no tariff Dill at
all. he chose the former. and tried to in
duce Mr.. Hill to take the same course.
failed to satisfy Mr.. Hill. and his remarks
Yesterday show that he still condemns Mr..
German for his change of front.
Where IL the Harmony.
Some of the democratic leaders are de-
manding to know what has become of the
new era of harmony thought to have been
inaugurated by a recent dinner at the
White House. Great results were expected
to follow the clasping of hands by the Pres
ident ard Mr.. Hill. There was to be no
more fighting in the ranks of the de-
mocracy. The rank and file were to be re-
minded that if Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Hill
could wipe old scores, all the old scores
Kept longer on view by anybody would be
an affront to the party and an evidence OF
disloyalty. That thought to be the
severeSt test TO which Mr. Hill could be put
The episode with Mr.. German, therefore,
comes as q surprise. And new test for
the New York Senator will, 1t is thought,
grow out of it. He must shake hands now
with Mr.. German, if dinner is not con-
ycnient. This later test. indeed, appears to
involve more than the other. Mr.. Cleveland.
it is pointed out, is approaching the day OF
his retirement from party leadership. Mr..
Germans retirement from politics Is not
looked for by anybody familiar with the
man or with the affairs in his state. TAX
ing Mr.. Clevelands hand, therefore, was an
easy matter OF courtesy and good will. VIII
Mr. German extend his hand, and will Mr..
Hill take it. in the interests of party har-
mony? Many anxious DEMOCRATS want to
know.