The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHINGTON, May "a, 1897.

When it comes to expressing their
sympathy for Cuba, or showing their
confidence in President Mckinley, the
Republicans of the House stand with
the President. They know that it is
not necessary to pass the Senate rcsO-
luton declaring that the belligerency
of the Cubans should be recognized.
in order to convince the country of
their sympathy for Cuba. They also
know that the adoption Of that resO-
luton at this time would unneces-
Sarily cmb2rraS the President. who is
working out policy that will be of
some practical benefit to the Cubans.
which it is far from certain that the
recognition of belligerency would be
This being the situation, it is not
likely that the House will act upon
the belligerency resolution or take
any other action relating to Cuba, un-
til President Mckinley has had time
enough to formulate and announce
his policy. The real friends of Cuba
want more than q recognition of belli-
gerency; they want to see the island
independent; and to that end they are
steadfastly working, meanwhile, the
money appropriated by Congress for
the relief Of destitute Americans in
Cuba, is being used for that purpose
by the [. s. COnsulS. There is no
good reason for any undue haste in
taking the next step, especially when
haste might defeat the very object
sought-the ending of bloodshed in
Cuba. President Mckinley has
promised to act in a short time, and
Republicans are willing to accept
that promise and wait.
Republican Senators held caucus
to-day, in order to smooth down little
differences as to modes Of procedure
during the tariff debate, now open.
There was general interchange of
opinion, and, while there was no at
tempt to bind anybody, general I'M
derstanding was reached that no time
should be devoted to lengthy speeches
by Republicans. At the caucus of
Democratic Senators, it was decided
to open their fight on the tariff bill by
moving to strike out the entire inter
nal revenue section of the bill, in or
der to try to curry favor with the
brewing interests. Republicans do
not believe the motion will carry.
The Bryanites are constantly talk
ing about the increase of free silver
sentiment in the country and saying
that the result of last November
would be reversed if there were a Ma
tional election held now. OF course
everybody knows that sort of talk to
be mere bluff and buster. If proof
was needed, it is furnished by the fact
that the Democratic leader of the
House-Bailey, Of Texas-and other
prominent Democrats have gone into
the first Congressional district of Mis-
souri, to speak and work for the cleo
ton OF d Democratic successor to the
late Representative Il. p. Giles The
silver sentiment is glowing so fast in
the silver state of Missouri, that stump
speakers of National prominence are
needed to make sure that the Repub-
Leans do not carry district that last
November elected a silver Democrat.
Facts like this are more convincing
than loud lalk, just as a man is always
judged TO a larger extent by his ac-
tons than by his words.
President Nc Kinley has been so oc-
cupicd with other matters that he has
not had time to decide what to do
about revOlling the extensions of the
civil service rules, made by Mr.. Cleve-
land. but he has heard the complaints
Of many prominent Republicans con
corning the injustice of the most of
these extensions and there is very lit
tie doubt that when he takes the ques-
ton up, some, if not all, of these eX-
tensions will have to go. Some idea
of how some of these extensions are re-
gardcd by prominent officials, who
know by experience just how they are
work ing NAV he had from tho follow