The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-28
Review of the Week With
the Law Makers.
The Handicap on Republican
Tariff Program.
President Mckinley aud the Cuban
Situation Not Ready to ACT.
Especial Correspondence of The News)

There have becn some interesting de'
velopmonts in Washington during the
present week and some especially sIgnil-
can't in their character. The Republican
senator's have shown their determination
to push the tariff bill with all possible
speed, while the Democratic senators have
shown themselves entirely at sea III tDo
matter of policy upon this iInportan6
q uestion. Both parties have held eau.
cuses 20 determine their action III regard
to the tariff bill. and the contrast no
tween the developments of tho two CONFER
onces was strongly marked. The Demo
Gratis found themselves entirely ut sea, un-
able TO agree upon any course WIN
reference to the important features OF the
bill, while tho Republicans emerged from
their caucus "a thoroughly united Douy
determined TO present "A solid front to the
enemy whom they know to be in control
of the SenaGe.
That the senate of the United States is
not "a Republican body everybody knows.
That tho ability Of the republicans 10
pass "a tariff bill depends upon the
strength of the protective sentiment
among the Democrats and Populists Is
conceded. The Republicans are in the
minority i'm the Senate. To pass the tar
i'll bill they must either have the active
open support of one or more Democrats,
and Populist parties must omit TO vote
against il. There Is reason TO believe
that the bill will receive the support of mt
least one Democrat and probably two
Populists. II Senator Kyle is to be classed
as Populist. He is put down in the
Congressional directory as an independ-
ent Senator Jones of Nevada, who has
been classed as Populist for the past two
years, will, IL Is understood, support the
bill, and 10 is PROBABLE that Senator Kyle
will do so, or, at least, not vote against
it, Senator McEnery Of Louisiana. Dem
ocrat. has indicated clearly mis- intention
TO support "A protective tariff.
1t IL under these circumstances that the
Republican minority In the Senate en-
ter upon the desperate struggle To pass
their bill. They have. as above indicated,
the advantage of presenting solid front
in support OF the bill, while the other par
ties are not able to solidify themselves
upon any feature Of the measure. Their
caucus showed that upon the numerous
questions at issue, not only were they not
united, but that they could not unite.
The Republicans, on the other hand, in
their caucus, determined to put aside por-
sonal preferences in regard TO the various
items of the bill, each man submitting
his proposed amendments to the finance
committee and afterwards IL necessary,
to the caucus committee upon this SUBJ
jeCt.
They further agreed much as they
might desiie to enter upon a general
discussion of the tariff, to forego that
undertaking for the sake of economy OF
time, and TO press every turn for
active. energetic work upon the schedules
of the bill with the purpose OF getting
final action upon IL ut the earliest possi-
BILE moment Not speech, aside from
the explanation which Senator Aldrich
xtT... Ia No. ,t,,.s Iax - hA Anh
is To bo made by the Republicans, other
than the brief responses made necessary
in reply to the attacks which it Is OK
pected that the Democrats will make upon
the schedules of the bill rs the discussion
progresses. Thus the public may under
stand that IL there is delay in the pas.
sage of the bill through the Senate, the
will rest with the Demo
cratic party. If the Republicans could
control the action of the Senate, the bill
would be passed through that body within
n fortnight aud be upon the statute books
certainly by the end Of the fiscal year.
II they cannot, the fault will be with the
Democrats.
IL the Republicans are able to carry out
their program, the first four months of
President Mckinley's administration viii
witness heretofore unheard of occurrence
I'm the history of the Countrywide meeting
Df Congress within IL days of tho inaug-
uration of a new president the framing
of n great tariff bill and passage through
the House, Its consideration by the Senate
and Conference committee and enactment
into laval within four months. IL
this fails To happen, the public will under
stand that the failure Is because of delay
offered by Democrats, who recognize the
fact that every days delay Is postpone
lnent of business activity and prosperity,
and that by this process only are they able
TO create the dissatisfaction which they
hore may result to their advantage In the
coming elections.
The Cuban Question.
Much interest has been felt I'm the course
NJ the House Of Representatives upon the
Senate resolution recognizing the Cubans
as belligerents Whatever delay occurs In
this matter will be because the admins
tration is not vet ready to act in tho mat
ter. lt Is absolutely necessary that n new
which found on coming
into power its only sources OF informa-
tion those created by party adverse
TO its interests and methods, should
have time not only 10 study the
situation but TO study IL through
men selected by itself. Any step looking
TO the recognition of the Cubans either as
bolligerents or as an independent nation
must be grave one and is liable to bring
about serious COMPLICATIONS with one or
more European nations. Ii is easy for
men who have not this responsibility
upon their shoulders to insist upon Inn
mediate action and To talk glibly about
the ability of the United States TO whip
any nation, but the man who recog-
nizes that his action, unless carefully
considered, is liable To plunge nations
into war, sacrifice not alone millions of
money but perhaps thousands OF lives.
must feel that the responsibility Is very
grave one. Human life, whether i'm Cuba
or IN the United States, or upon the high
seas, is sacred, and president who could
or would take action liable TO create such
as To cndangcr the lives Of
his own people or the people of other
nations without the most careful con-
would be- unworthy Of the con.
iid snce Of his country. Those who
the responsibility which
rests upon President Mckinley In
what the attitude of this
shall be, recognize fully the
gisdom of his course I'm desiring ample
tiIae for a study -nf this question In the
light Il such information M he can OBJ
tain through his own representatives SCI
lected Tor that purpose. 10 is not through
any desire to tenporizo or To delay action