The herald., 1897-03-02
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Speculation As to the Success of
McKinley's Hobby
THE SENATE AND TARIFF
The Outlook Not Flatisrng fer the Re.
publicans
The Committee on Coinage Content to Do
Noth!ng-Dr. Mary Walker at the
Congress OF 1others
Spec.al to The Herald.

Special TO The Herald.
WASHINGTON, Feb 22-The Repub-
licans are now counting on Mir. kyle's
vote to aid them in passing tariff bill
at the extra session. 1t is very import
ant that the Republicans should control
the finance committee before the tariff
bill Is sent over to them from the house.
The committee as now formed is in con-
troll of the silver men The retirement
OF Senator Sherman will leave tie in
the committee on the question of pro-
lection, with vacancy TO be filled. 1t
is, of course. necessary that protec-
ZIONIST should be selected to fill this
vacancy in order to give the committee
to the Republicans, and it is most desir
able that there should be Republican
organization of all committees. The Re
publicans expect to have the support of
Kyle ard Jones of Nevada for reorgani-
zation, and to obtain the admission of
a senator from Kentucky to give them
enough votes for the purpose. They do
not count upon the election of senator
in Oregon, and the failure to elect Mr.
Mitchell there means the loss on one
Republican VOTE 1t Is expected this
will be offset in a way not generally
known. The term CT Mr.. Call of Florida
expires on the fth of March, and the
legislature which will elect his succes-
sor will not meet until April The extra
session will meet on March 18th. ard
for the first fifteen days at least there
will be a Democratic vacancy in Flor
ida. During the existence Of this va
cancy the Republicans desire to do what
they can to accomplish reorganization.
A COMPUTATION.
The situation as 1t now appears Is
something like this: Without the SEN
ator from Oregon the Republicans have
In the rCVt senate. IF SeCa-
tors Kyle ard Jones vote with them on
organization that Will make Al. and the
admission of a Republican from Ken
lucky will make the necessary as. which
would be enough. with the casting vote
of the, vice president, or, with two va
cancies, would maks majority OF ore.
They seem to count confidently on the
Kentucky senator because it is ureer-
stood that there Is some sort OF under
standing between Governor Bradley and
Senator Blackburn that IL the vacancy
from that state Is filled by appointment,
rather than by the calling of a special
session of the legislature. the appointee
will be admitted to serve until new
legislstu ture shall make selection. The
Democrats have 33 senators without
Call. and there are 10 silver senators
and Populists. rot counting Jones. In
the absence of Senator Call. the oppo-
stion would therefore have 43 votes.
If action can be had during the period
pending the meeting of the Florida leg
is,ature the Republicans could control
the organization. with the aid of Kyle
ard Zones, even If the Kentucky sena-
tor were not admitted. go If they are
not mistaken in the, expectation tha,
Kyle and Jones Will stand in ard vote
with them on organization, the Repub-
licans will be able 10 get control. Ii is
practically certain that the senate will
make the tariff bill and the ques-
tor of reorganization. therefore. is very
important In matters pertaining to the
tariff the serste must be satisfied, or
else no tariff legislation can be had.
1t is expected that the house committee.
before reporting the proposed new tariff
bill to the house. will consult with the
senate, with view OF getting as rear
together as possible. Present indica-
tions point to the yielding OF the house
to all demands made by the ssrate re-
garding this tariff measure, and If the
finance committee can be 50 framed as
to bring the bill into the senate in q sat-
factory shape. the outlook for it's pas
cage will be greatly improved. The bill
will rot be easy of passage. ad while
no filibusterir~ Will be irdulged in. still
full and fair debate will be the order
of the dav. Taking into cor sidera tion
all these Ifs and "ards.' the outlook
is not at all flatterlng for the Repubii-
cans.