Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-06-04
RESORT TO GAG RULE
REPUBLICANS AFRAID TO SHOW
THEIR HAND.

SShAeoE sts' StENeS NOtiCe-ccuatOE
Cannon Thuuders Same Threat
Democratic Prospects Bright
epic" to EEis Pais-Tilc ExccrmbIe
Cuban Policy.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
! WAsHINGroN, May Is, 1897.
The gag-rule of the caucus has been
applied TO Republicans Senators in
order to hide their tariff differences
from the public. They must DO all
their kicking before the steering COM
mittee, with the privilege OF appealing
to the caucus when the committee
decides against them, but they must
follow the committee on the floor of
the Senate. 1t remains to be seen
whether this gag-rule can be made to
work. One Of the most notable things
about the opening OF the tariff debate
was the Republican acknowledgement
that, instead of the prosperity they
promised, the business OF the country
was in an awful condition. Of course
they claim that everything will boom
after the tariff bill becomes law.
Senator Vest opened his short tariff
speech by saying: There will be no
factious opposition to the passage of
this bill. We know the desperate
condition of the country, the ruined
homes, the blasted hearts. If pros
perity can come, even from our poll.
teal opponents, we will not only wei.
come it, but we will bless the moment
it comes; but / do not believe that
higher tariff duties will bring back
the sunshine and illuminate the coun-
try" and closed with the following:
"If our friends can bring relief, if
they can shed light upon our darkened
path, | will hail it no matter in whose
hands may be the lamp. Give us
prosperity; relieve the people. Put
blood again in the veins of the torpid
country. Do this, and | will accept
the boon, no matter whence it comes"
In proposing a tariff amendment
providing for bounty on agricultural
exports, Senator Cannon, of Utah, took
occasion to utter this significant
threat: eff the bill shall fail to give
some measure OF justice to the farmer,
| shall do all in my power to overthrow
it at the first opportunity"
Representative Lentz, of Ohio, who
is willing to be the Democratic candi-
date for Governor, says of the outlook
"The Democratic chances for carry
ing the State could hardly be bettered.
Unless the wrong man is put at the
head of the ticket, the Democrats, with
the aid of the Populists and Free Sill
yer Republicans, will, in my judgment,
easily beat Mark Hanna and the adj
ministration. 1t will be political
avalanche sweeping them off the face
of the political sphere. The Republi-
cans had bitter dose of defeat at the
spring elections. but that wasn't cir
cumstance to the bitter pill they will
swallow this fall"
An important conference was held
in Washington this week, those in
attendance being President Black,
Treasurer Clark, Secretary Gardner,
and Representative McMillin, Chair
man of the executive committee, OF
the National Association of Demo-
cratic Clubs. The difference was held
to arrange the details for carrying out
the plan adopted by the executive
committee of the association ut its
meeting last month, relative to a
thorough organization of the Demo-
cratic clubs throughout the country.
Work will be started at once in
Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey, Virginia,
Iowa and Massachusetts,, those States
receiving first attention because they
are to hold important elections this
year.
The promotion of Representative
McLaurin to the Senate to fill the
vacancy caused by the death OF the
late Senator Earle, of South Carolina,
until the legislature meets and elects
a Senator, was highly pleasing to the
Democrats in Congress. with whom
Senator McLaurin is deservedly
popular.
The choicest bit OF of pie handed
out this week by Mr.. Mckinley was
grabbed up by all "ex," as usual, ex-
Congressman and ex-Minister to
Brazil Conger. OF Iowa, being again
nominated 10 fill the last named posi-
ton. Mr.. Conger served in Congress
with Mr.. Mckinley, like so many of
the others who have been provided
for.
The friends of Cuba feel that they
have been buncoed by the administrs.
ton. and they are disposed to hold Mr..
Mckinley responsible. 1t is true that
he did not personally make any prom.
ises, but promises were made by those
who came as near claiming to speak for
him as it was possible without actually
doing so, that it was the intention of
Mr.. Mckinley to speedily put into
operation his policy, which the speakers
declared would make Cuba inde-
pendent. These promises secured
pledges from Republican members of
the House that they would aid in pre-
venting the Senate belligerency resolu-
ton from being brought before the
House until Mr.. Mckinley had been
given ample time to do something.
Now it is ascertained that it may be
weeks, even months, before Mr.. Nc
Kinley acts upon the policy which he
has in mind, if be really has one in
mind. Dem.