The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-16
Gossip at
the Capital

Special Correspondence OF The Tribune.
Washington, June 10.
The many friends of Senator Quay will
no doubt be surprised to learn that he Is
far from being a well man. While he Is
able to attend the sessions of the senate
and transact other business, stia he is
not enjoying his usual good health. He
has been complaining a good deal of late
of not feeling well, and his family and
close friends are becoming somewhat
worried over his condition. His principal
ailment seems to be nervousness, which
naturally prevents him from sleeping
This is not new complaint TO Senator
Quay. He has been afflicted with insom-
MIA for several years, and each recur-
renee becomes more aggravated. His
cure heretofore has been absolute rest
ana the laying aside of all businss and
political cares. The senator expects to
leave Washington as soon as the tariff
bill is disposed Of He may go before that
time if his health does not improve. He
has not yet decided where he will seek
rest, but 1t is likely he will go to either
his home in Beaver or his farm in Ian
caster county, which he purchased a few
years ago.
The Republicans in the senate are some
what handicapped by the fact that their
leaders on tariff matters are unable, by
reason of i'll health, to be present and
participate in the debates now going on.
Senator Aldrich is the acknowledged tar
if expert in the upper branch of con-
gress. He is more familiar with all the
debates of tariff than any Other man in
that body. 1t is so admitted by senators
of all parties Ever since the tariff bill
was reported to the senate by the finance
committee Senator Aldrich has been un-
able to attend the sessions on account of
!, N.nrkf &c Il 1.nh ii ng
visited the senate chamber for few
minutes at a time, but he is still far from
being well, and he may not be able to par
ticipste in general debate at ALL His alb
sence is notable, for there are few sena-
tors on the Republican side who can eX-
plain the various schedules of the bill sat
isfactorily. On Friday last Senator White,
of California, paid the Rhode Island sena-
tor a very high compliment when he de-
clared there was not a senator on either
side of the chamber who fully understood
the sugar schedule which was then being
debated, except Mr.. Aldrich, and he
(White) was exceedingly sorry the New
Enghander was not present to unravel the
mysteries of the measure, especially that
portion which related to sugar.
Another man who has been missed dur
ing the tariff discussion is the venerable
senator from Vermont - Mr.. Morrill,
Ever since his entrance to the senate, on
March a. 1867, Mr. Morrill, has been ac-
tive in tariff matters. No revenue meas
ure since that time has been considered
in which Senator Morrill, has not taken
an active interest. In fact he has been
the Republican chairman of the finance
committee for many years He is now
the head of that committee, and his alb
sence from the senate for several weeks
has delayed the proceedings of the tariff
debate to a more or less extent. Last
Thursday was the first time in many
weeks that the venerable Vermont sena-
tor has been in the senate chamber. Ow-
ing to his advanced age-H years-and
poor health incident thereto he Is unable
to take an active part in the proceedings.
1t Is now beginning to look as though
| the new revenue measure Will be in the
hands of the president for his signature
| by the middle of July. Much depends,
however, upon what course Speaker Reed
and his colleagues in the house pursue.
| If the latter insist upon the amendments
| made by the senate being stricken out
and the original Dingley bill sections re-
| stored there will likely be a long fight
which will delay the final passage OF the
measure indefinitely. 1t is hard to make
predictions regarding the disposition Of
| the tariff these days, The unexpected Is
| Just as hkely to happen as the expected
| In the meantime the country continues tc
suffer for want of prompt and proper
| legislation.