The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-08
Gossip at
the Capital
Special Correspondence of The Tribune.


Special Correspondence of The Tribune.
Washington, May 7.
Increased harmony in Republican ranks
and increased dissensions among Demo-
Gratis are the leading features of this
weeks developments in Washington. The
Republican members of the Senate Fin
ance committee, who have been laborious-
ly engaged upon the tariff bill, have eX-
ercised such good judgment and tact in
shaping the bill that there is reason to
believe that every Republican vote and
the vote of every man who in past years
co-opcratcd with the party will be for the
bill and this insures its early passage and
enactment as a law. While this drift to-
ward harmony is clearly apparent among
the Republicans the mad rush in the Ill
rection of party dssensions is even more
apparent among the Democrats. Half of
the members of that party in the house
have chosen to follow the leadership of
that most erratic and extreme of the
Populist leaders, Jerry Simpson, while the
other half have fallen into line behind
Congressman Bailey, thus absolutely di-
Yiding in two equal factions the Demo-
cratic party in the house of representa-
tves When 1t is remembered that there
is still a third faction of the party in the
Cleveland element, and even a fourth III
that wing of the party which is now sup
porting protection, it will be seen that the
divisions are such as to leave the Demo-
cratic party In very much distracted
condition, while the Republicans are not
only thoroughly harmonious, but bringing
back into their own ranks, on the tariff
question, those who temporarily alienated
themselves on currency issues.
The important feature of the week was
the test vote in the house on Jerry Simp-
sons demand that the speaker should ap-
troublesome question to the Democracy,
fer that element which favored co-opera-
tion with the Populists in the last cam
paign had clung to Simpson and supported
his demand, while Mr.. Bailey, who was
the Democratic caucus nominee for the
speakership, has opposed simpsons pro-
position. This had already created a dvi-
sion between the members of the party
favoring conctinuance of the alliance
with the Populists and those who were op-
posed to further association with this Cle-
ment of American politics. The feeling
between these two factions had grown in
tense, and the final struggle came in the
vote on motion to require the speaker
to appoint committees. Upon this mo-
tion one-half the Democrats voted with
Bailey after he had made a strong appeal
to the Democrats i'm the house to cease
quarrelling among themselves, while the
other half voted with Simpson. 1t thus
appears that the Democratic party in the
house is spit squarely in the middle upon
the question Of further cooperation with
the Populists This Is especially interest,"
ing in view Of the fact that all the Demo-
Gratis in the house belong TO that wing
of the Democracy which supported the
Bryan ticket I'm 1896 This makes II ap-
parent that even the Bryan wing of the
party is split in the middle. When It is
taken into consideration that the gold
Democrats are still maintaining their or
ganizatlon as a party, and that the con-
siderable section of the silver Democrats
are now fayorlng protection and even vot-
ing for il In congress, ii will be seen that
the Democratic party is more hopelessly
divided to-day even than 1t was in the
campaign OF 1896.
The tariff bill has been completed, so
far as relates to the Senate Finance com
mittee, and Is now ready for consideration
by the senate. How long II will be before
that body cannot OF course be foretold.
but the outlook for a reasonable degree OF
| speed in its consideration appears to be
good, and there is good reason to believe
that 1t will be upon the statute books by
| the end of the fiscal year. Members OF
both parties are recognizing the fact that
nothing 50 disturbs the business condi-
tions of the country, both among the
manufacturers and others as the pendcncy
| of tariff measure Of any sort because OF
the fact that business contracts and un-
dertakings cannot be entered upon with
out definite knowledge as TO what the
prices on imported articles or the rates
OF duty will be. These facts are leading
men, irrespective OF party, to a desire for