The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-06-10
Our Washington Letter.
Correspondence of The Journal. |

some specially Slgnlncant IN their char
acter. 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 sthe two conferences was
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 solid front to the enemy
whom they know to be in control of the
Senate. i
That the Senate of the United States is
not Republican body everybody knows.
That the ability of the Republicans to
pass tariff bill depends upon the
strength of the protective sentiment
among the Democrats and Populists is
conceded. The Republicans are in the
minority in the Senate. To pass the
tariff bill they must either have the active,
open support OF one or more Democrats,
or one or more members of the Demo
cratic and Populist parties must omit to
vote against it. There is reason to be
lieve that the bill will receive 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 indie
pendent Senator Jones of Nevada, who
has been classed as a Populist for the past
two or three years, will, it is understood,
support the bill, and it is probable that
Senator Kyle will do so or, at least, not
vote against it. Senator McEnery of
Louisiana, Democrat, has indicated clear
y his intention to support a protective
tariff.
1t is under these circumstances that the
Republican minority in the Senate enter
upon the desperate struggle to pass their
bill. They have. as above indicated, the
advantage of presenting solid front in
support of the bill, while the other par
ties are not able to soldify themselves
upon any feature of the measure. Their
caucus showed that, upon the numerous
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 per-
sonal 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 committee upon this sub
ject.
They further agreed, much as they
might desire to enter upon general dis
cusson of the tariff, to forego that under
taking for the sake of economy of time.
and to press at every turn for active ener-
getic work upon the schedules of the bill
with the purpose of getting final action
upon it at the earliest possible moment.
Not speech, aside from the explanation
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 it is expected that the Dem
ocrats will make upon the Schedules of
the bill as the discussion progresses.
Thus the public may understand that if
there is delay in the passage of the bill
through the Senate, the responsibility
will rest with the Democratic party. If
the Republicans could control the action
OF the Senate, the bill would be passed
through that body within a 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.
If the Republicans are able to carry out
their program, the first four months of
President McKinley's admins tration will
witness a heretofore unheard- of occur
renee in the history of the Countrywide
meeting of a Congress within Is DAYS of
the Inauguration of new President. the |
framing of great tariff bill and passage
through the House, its consideration by
the Senate and Conference Committee and
enactment into laval within four
months. If this fails to happen, the pub
lie will understand that the failure is be-
cause of delay offered by Democrats, who
recognize the fact that every days delay
is postponement Of business activity and
and that by this process only
are they able to create the dissatisfaction
which they hope may result to their adj
vantage in the coming elections.
Much interest has been felt in the course
of the House of Representatives upon the
Senate resolution recognizing the Cubans
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 coming !
into power it's only source of information
those created by a party adverse to its in
forests and methods, should have time not
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