The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-28
Gossip at
the Capital


Special Correspondence of The Tribune.
Washington, May q.
There have been some interesting deve!-
opments in Washington during the present
week and some especially significant in
their character. The Republican senators
have shown their determination to push
the tariff bill with all possible speed, while
the Democratic senators have shown
themselves entirely at sea in the matter
of policy upon this important question.
Both parties have held caucuses to deter
mine their action in regard to the tariff
bill, and the contrast between the deVel-
opments of the two conferences were
strongly marked. The Democrats found
themselves entirely at sea, unable to
agree upon any course with reference to
the important features of the bill, while
the Republicans emerged from their eau
Gus thoroughly united body determined
to present a solid front to the enemy
whom they know TO be in control of the
senate.
That the senate of the United States is
not Republican body everybody knows.
That the ability of the Republicans to pass
a tariff bill depends upon the strength Of
the protective sentiment among the Dem
ocrats and Populists Is conceded. The Re-
publicans are in tho minority in the sem
ate. To pass the tariff bill they must
either have the active open support of one
or more Democrats, or one or more MEM
bers of the Democratic and Populst par
ties must omit to vote against it, There
is reason to believe that the bill will re-
ceive the support of at least one Democrat
and probably two Populists. if Senator
Kyle is to be classed as a Populist. He is
put down in the Congressional Directory
as an independent. Senator Jones, of Ne
vada, who has been classed as a Populist
fOr ha W g
understood, support the bill, and 1t is prob
able that Senator Kyle will do so or, at
least, not vote against It, Senator McEn-
cry, of Louisiana, Democrat, has indicaI-
ed clearly his intention to support a pro-
tective tariff. 1t is under these circun-
stances that the Republican minority in
the senate enter upon the desperate strug-
gle to pass their bill. They have. as above
indicated, the advantage of presenting II
solid front in support of the bill. while the
other parties are not able to solidify them
selves upon any features of the measure,
Their caucus showed that. upon the nu-
merous 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 personal preferences in regard TO
| the various items Of the bill, each man
| submitting his proposed amendments to
the finance committee. and afterwards
| If necessary, to the caucus committees
upon this subject.
They further agreed, much as they
might desire to enter upon a general dis
cussion of tho tariff, to forego that un-
| dertaking for the sake of economy of
| time and to press at every turn for active
| energetic work upon the schedules of the
| bill with the purpose of getting final ac-
| tion upon 1t at the earliest possible mo-
l
planatlon which Senator Aldrich offered
in the opening day OF the debate, is to be
made by the Republicans, other than the
| brief responses made necessary in reply
| to the attacks which 1t is expected that
the Democrats will make upon the sched-
ules of the bill as the discussion pro-
| crosses. Thus the public may understand
that If there is delay in the passage of the
| bill through the senate, the responsible
ity will rest with the Democratic party.
If the Republicans could control the ac-
| tion of the senate, the bill would be passed
| through that body within fortnight and
be upon the statute books certainly by
the end of the fiscal year. If they cannot,
the fault will be with the Democrats. II
the Republicans are able to carry out
their programme, the first four months OF
President McKinley's administration Will
witness a heretofore unheard of occur
renee I'm the history Of the country-the
meeting of congress within fifteen daXs
of the Inauguration of a new president
the framing of great tariff bill and pass
age through the house, its consideration
by the senate and conference committee
and enactment into laval within fouI
months II this fails to happen, the pubic
will understand that the failure is because
of delay offered by Democrats, who rec
ognize the fact that every days delay Is
a postponement of business activity and
prosperity, and that by this process only
are they able to create the dissatisfaction
which they hope may result to their ad
vantage in the coming elections.
Much interest has been felt in the cours,
of the house OF representatives upon the
senate resolution recosnizing the Cuban'
as belligerents. Whatever delay occurs
In this matter will be because the admins
tration is not yet ready to act in the mat
ter. 1t is absolutely necessary that {
new administration, which found on com
ing into power it's only sources OF informa
tion those created by a party adverse tC
its interests and methods, should have
time not only to study the situation, bu