The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-03-17
POLITICS IN CONGRESS
MCKINLEY TO BULLDOZE CON.
GRESSMEN.
Can't Agree on Financial Matters
Wide Split in the Party on the
Currency
Philadelphia American.

Philadelphia American.
Having won his way to the Senate,
Mr.. Hanna tells US he is going to
make 1T his business to put through a
tariff bill. He will have quite an un-
dertaking on his hands. for 1t is only
by getting the aid Of Senators outside
the party that high tariff measure
can be passed, and Mr.. Hanna may
find that the methods he has so sue
cessfully used elsewhere may fail in
the Senate. 1t may be that there are
some places that money does not rule,
and If, as we believe, the Senate is one
of them Mr.. Hanna will fail.
The task of Mr.. Hanna Is to get
three votes more in the Senate than
the Republicans can count upon, and
where he is to get them is a problem.
The Republicans, in their extremity,
have taken to counting Senator Kyle.
recently reelected with the aid Of
Republican votes, and Senator Jones,
of Nevada. 1t is asserted that Sena-
tor Kyle succumbed to the tempta-
tion held out to him by the Republi-
can members of the State Legisla-
ture. giving his promise to vote with
the Republicans on the tariff for the
support of the Republicans in the
Legislature Of South Dakota, that led
directly to his election. But while
others record Senator Kyle as in ac-
cord with the Republicans on the
tariff, and the Senator records him
self as Populist, it Is not fair to as
sumo that he entered into any such
bargain to secure his reelection, If
he has done SO. he has made q COM
plete reversal Of principle for place.
He has always stood and voted in the
Senate for low tariff. He voted for
the Wilson Bill in 1894. 1t will be
time to believe he has sold his prin-
ciples for place when he has made
known change Of heart.
Upon the vote or Senator Jones, of
Nevada, the Republicans have no
claim. AS man he is upright and ir-
reproachable; he can be counted upon
to do what he deems right, and from
what he regards as the path of duty
he cannot be swerved. And as to his
position he is firmly convinced that no
tariff can be protective unless enacted
together with an amendment opening
our mints to free eeSilver-cOinage Last
year, as a member Of the Finance
Committee, it will be remem bered he
voted with the Democrats to report a
free-silver substitute for the Dingley
tariff bill. He is firm believer in
protection, but he believes in protect
ing all classes, not one. AS a prOtec-
zionist, and from protectionist's
standpoint, he will oppose tariff bill
that does not carry an amendment
providing for the free coinage of sill
yer. Just as we shall do. We do not
doubt that his position in regard to
tariff legislation will be much the
same as ours.
In what other direction Mr.. Hanna
is going to look for votes we do not
know. We do not think he will find
the requisite number. He will, Of
course, have the active assistan Of
the administrations regret to say
there is every evidence that free use
of the federal patronage will be made
to secure the passage Of tariff to
Mr.. McKinley's liking. Mr.. Cleveland
made the same use of patronage to
browbeat Representatives and Sena-
tors into voting for the repeal of the
purchasing clause Of the Sherman
Act. Thus we are told that Mr.. Nc
kinley will postpone all appoin tments
to office that are not absolutely neces-
sary to place the machinery of the
new administration in motion until
the tariff bill is passed and signed.
This will put the President in a posi-
tlOn to blacklist any Senator or Rep-
reSentative VINO kicks over the party
traces and thus punish him for his in
dependence. Recomme ndations made
by refractory congressman will be
ignored, and the fear OF this is calcu-
lated to greatly facilitate the passage
of the new tariff. But while such a
use Of patronage may serve as whip
to keep the lines of the party intact,
it can hardly be made effectual in in
1luencing those men who are already
beyond the pale Of the party, and who,
having nothing to expect from the ad-
ministr2 tion in the way Of appoint
mentS. have nothing to fear. And it Is
these men outside the party that the
Republicans must influence in order
to get the votes needed to pass their
tariff measure.
The consideration of other measures
than tariff during the anticipated
special session, is, it appears, to be ia
booed. Legislation aiming at reform
Of our monetary system is not to be
given place on the calendar if the
Republican leaders can help it. Why
this course has been decided upon is
readily eXplicable. 1t is to cover up
the differences of opinion and want
Of harmony in the Republican ranks.
A schism in the party over currency
matters is not wanted, at least during
the special session, and it is hoped
that before Congress meets in regular
session some definite financial policy
will have been evolved for the party
by Mr.. Mckinley or some one else. No
doubt the administration can evolve
some sort of a policy, but that it will
be acceptable to the party is differ
ent matter, for the policy that Mr..
Gage will lay out will be one for the
substitution Of banks for national
currency. How much at sea members
Of the Republican party are at this
time over monetary legislation is
'strlkingly shown by a remark attri-
buted to Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, a
member of the House Committee on