New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-01
THE SENATE.

The situation in the Senate has not been es-
sentially changed by the iral success Of the
Republicans Of Kentucky after their long de-
lay, although with two seats vacant from Ore
gon and Florida, the Senate will be tie, and
the casting vote OF the Vice-Prpsident would
turn the scale for the present The Democrats
could and would waste time indefinitely. on any
great party question except the tariff, until they
could get Senator elected In Florida, and the
exclusion Of Senator COrbett, though apparently
contrary TO the Senate's rules, as the Oregon
Legislature never really org: nzed might also
be indefinitely prolonged by flibusterng on the
part of the Democrats. Hence the Republicans
do not ask TO modify the arrangement Of COM
mittees to which the Democrats consented some
days before thp Kentucky deadlock was broken.
On the tariff question the Republicans should
have sufficient votes assured, not Of their own
party Senator McEnery. Of Louisiana, a Dem
ocrat, and Senator Jones. Of Nevada silver
Senator. are publicly pledged to support pro-
tectve measure. and there are several others
who would either vote for such measure or
abstain from voting against it If their aid was
necessary. The vote Of the new Senator from
kentucky would in all probability not be In the
least necessary TO insure the ultimate passage
Of the Tariff bill. although in certain contin-
XenCleS IL might DC Ol great stTNICe III
proceedings TO that end.
On the money question the situation In the
Senate is not altered. While the new Senator
from Kentucky Is a straight Republican, In full
harmony with the Administration and with the
National platform, there are some Senators who
would not act with the Republican party on any
measure not directly involving protection and
affecting the silver interest. This one fact, al
fhouob norfectly wel known entirnlv aynloine
the indisposltion to press any monetary change
at this session Of Congress, even though 1t be
only the proposal TO create commission to In
vestlgate the svbject and report a bill for the
consideration OF Congress- There might be two
or possibly three Democratic Senators who
would follow Mr.. Clevelands lead and would
vote for such measure, but there are more sill
yer Senators on the Republican side who judg
ing from present Indications would vote against
II. or in favor Of an amendment requiring the
commission to report a free-coinage measure
Nothing whatever can be gained by trying to
carry a measure at the extra session, when the
mower OF few men to block the wheels OF Gov
eminent and delay action indefinitely IL prac
tically unlimited.
The new Senator from Illinois eloquently urges
that the rules should be so changed that this
obstruction by a minority shall be no longer
possible But II would take longer struggle
to change the rules than to pass any Tariff bill
upon which the Republicans are united. In
fact. the rules probably could not be changed at
all ut the extra session, because of the power Of
the minority to consume time even II there is
a majority In favor Of a radical change and
that Ia not certain. But there is a power vested
in the presiding officer Of the Senate which has
not been much discussed, but may In any seri-