Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-12-10
Consultation Between Hanna and the
Steering Committee.
NOTHING UNUSUAL IN THE MEETING
What Mr.. Chandler Says Of the
Effort to Control.
DUBOIS AND SQUIRES' SEATS

The consultation between Mr.. Hanna and
members of the Senate republican steering
committee yesterday eXcites great interest.
An effort is being made to have 1t appear
tLat there Is something unusual in the
Chairman of the national committee being
consulted in matters Of party policy. This
is in Keeping with the purpose to make it
appear that Mr. Hanna is assuming the at
titude of a boss. The fact is that such con-
sultation is in no Sense unusual. Mr.. Han
IA, in the present instance, is the represen-
tative both of the national party organiza-
ton and of Mr.. Mckinley. 1t is the pur-
pose Of the republican leaders that there
should be a perfect understanding within
the party, and that harmonious policy
should be insured. 1t is necessary that Mr..
Mckinley should understand the present
sentiment and situation in Congress. es-
pecially in the Senate, and that the leaders
should know something of Mr. McKinleys
plans.
Three Things Made Plain.
Three things were made plain by the
talks between Mr.. Hanna and republican
Senators. First, that while the republicans
would readily avail themselves of an op-
portunity to pass a tariff measure at this
session, there was no probability of such an
opportunity occurring. Second. that an ey-
ira session of the Fifty-ffth Congress, to
meet in March, was decided on by Mr.. Nc
kinley. Third. that the republicans were
satisfied that they would be able 10 con-
struct a tariff bill which could be passed
through the Senate as well as through the
House at the special session.
In connection with the question Of the
control of the Senate ma .urallv comes up
the question of what the national comni!t-
tee can do toward securing the election Of
Senators from South Dakota, Washing gton.
a ian ,,C1-x
act with the republicans in .he Senate.
They have no chance to elect such a
man from Idaho. but If Dubois is defea ted
there by populist his absence from the
Senate Is expected to result in the falling
to pieces of the silver combine against
tariff. The five Senators, except Dubois,
who formed this combine. are claimed by
republicans to be naturally protection;sts,
and 1t Is thought that, in his absence they
Will not be apt to make further effort to
force silver legislation by blocking the
tariT What can be done toward electing
friendly Senators from the other states
ramed is a matter of doubt. The news
from Kentucky tGat Gov. Bradley declines
to call the legislature together indicates
vacancy from that state during the spe-
cial session, as an appointed Senator wouId
not be admitted. They believe that IN
Washington they may be able to defeat
Squires. and Pettigrew's opposition to
hyle, they calculate, may possibly create
antagonism in the legislature there that
they may be able to take advantage of.
What Senator Chandler SAYS.
Senator Chandler. talking about the situa-
ton this morning, in answer to INQUIRIES of
a Star reporter, said that he was not in the
confidence of the national committee as to
this matter, and cid not know what was
contemplated, but that it was a delicate.
and dangerous thing to try to control state
legislatures by outside influences
There is danger" he said, that such an
attempt might do more harm than good
l think, however. that we can confidently
count on being able to pass a suitable tariff
bill through the next Congress. While our
having the forty-fifth straight republican
Senator may still be a matter of doubt.
Senators Teller, Mantle. Cannon. Petit
grew, Jones and Stewart of Nevada are
protectionists, and 1 think they will vote
for a tariff bill that will give the protec-
ticn which their people want. I do not
think they will attempt to block tariff leg
1slatton by attaching to it the free coinage
of silver. They know that they could do
nothing for silver in this way, and it would
simply put upon them the responsibility
for preventing the republicans from legis-
latlng Tor the betterment of the condition
of the country.
II don't count Dubois, because it is rot
certain that he will be returned. He has
gone over TO the democrats, anyhow, and
you can't tell what he might do He calls
himself an independent, but he is bound Tn
win the democrats, and practically one of
theTc- l guess Squire may be count ed on to
act with the democrats pretty generally
also 1t is not certain whether either will
be returned. VA,
Il guess it is true that republicans feel
that they would like to see Dubois defeated
but | feel this way about it; that the exs
penditure of the funds of the republican
national committee to defeat him with a
populiSt would not be warranted What
ever the feeling may be on account of his
desertfon Of the party money ought not to
be spent by the republican COMMITTEES
merely to defat him or to defeat SQUIRE.
BEAR eo ~
Il don't think we can afford to spend
money JUST 10 make an example of Dubois
We shall be able to pass our tariff h;1I i,
tne next Congress by majority of five or