The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-12
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

Washington, June lo.--The debate on the
tariff bill this week promises to be quite
Interesting. Unless change is made in
the programme sugar viii engage the atten-
ton OF the august senators for a number OF
days. Up TO the present time Senators Al
drich and Allison. who have had charge OF
the bill with now and then little assist
ance from the pro-Spanish Senator Hale,
from Maine. have refrained from replying
to the criticisms made by the democratic
senator's. They have pursued this policy
for the purpose OF facilitating the passage
OF the bill, and also because they knew they
could not answer the criticisms or make
any defense OF the Dill, which is construct
ed in the interests Of the trusts, When the
sugar schedule is reached. however. MT.
Aldrich will find that the country will not
be satisfied with his silence on the subject,
but he will be forced to explain the why's
and whcreforps of the increase ana changes
made in the schedule as passed by the
housc
Senator Tillman may take occasion to
prod the republican members of the finance
committee and empale them on his pitch
fork. He is not afraid to do it. and II the
fiery South Carolinian takes the notion he
will make the sugar fly. The republicans
are In an embarrassing position ON the
sugar question. And no one knows this
better than Aldr'ch The discrimination In
favor OF the trusts is rank that SUI
fcent number of republican senators from
the West have said that they will vote
against the amendment reported by the
finance committee. The only hope Aldich
has for securing the adopson of the sugar
schedule as reported by his committee is
10y the action of the republican caucus. If
the republicans who are opposed to the
trusts agree TO be bound by the party eau
Gus. then 1t is possible that the sugar
schedule may stand.
Chairman Dingley Of the ways and means
committee of the house is more opposed TO
the SUGAR schedule than any other feature
Of the bill as reported by the finance com
mittee. And he will make a stubborn re-
sistance 10 it when it goes to conference,
1t is true that the sugar schedule as origl-
nally framed by MIR. Dingley was acceptable
to the trusts. but of course not so satisfac
tory the change made by the senate.
But whatever is the outcome of sugar, the
trust is bound to get the fat. The pro-
Grammc now Is to have the bill ready for
the president by July Is.
Senators Mills and Chiffon are following
the tariff debate paragraph by paragraph.
They are daily in attendance OIL the session.
vote recorded against the amendments re-
ported from the fina.s>e committee, which
increases the taxes OF the consumer, OF
course MANY amendments are not voted on
because they are not OF sufficient import
ance. but on all amendments which in
creases the rate of duty largely in excess
of Mckinley rates the democrats enter
their protests by demanding an aye and
nav vote.
Hon. Joseph w. Bailey, democratic leader
OF the house. whose return from a success
full s,umping tour through the First con-
rressional district of Missouri, as an
nounced in these dispatches, thus expresses
himself to reporter for the Washington
Post:
1T seems 10 be the almost unanimous
opinion of the democrats with whom l
have been brought In contact personally
and otherwise" said MIR. Bailey, that the
democratic party should commit itself
unreserVedy 10 the readoption OF the
Chicago platform of 1896. The almost uni
versai desire appears to be to add nothing
TO and subtract nothing from that plat
form. but 10 accept 1t without qualification
or reservation as the principles Of the
democratic party Tor 1900. 1t will be inn
possible 10 disassoclate MIR Bryan from
that platform. He is a part of the fight
year and refuse the nomination 10 MIR.
BRYAN would be q serious mistake
MIR. Bryan is identified With the Chicago
PLATFORM and with the issues of 1896 in
dissoiuhly. No man can so fully represent
that platform in 1900 as the candidate Of the
Chicago convention of last July. 1t is my
Judgment that his denomination Is fore
gone conclusion. Mr. Bryan is better
democrat now than he was when he was
nominated. and he appears to be settling
down upon basis that entities him to the
support of all democrats who stand squnrely
upon the undying principles OF the party
mat was founded by jefferson. | differed
from MIR. Bryan In many OF his earlier
opinions and convictions, but since his
nomination he has kept himself in every
thing that he has said and done strictly
within the Limitations of the Chicago plat
form. and that platform is good enough for
me or any other democrat to stand on
When MIR. Bryan first entered congress, six
years ago he was tariff socialist, his
studies having been confined largely to
economic questions. Since then he has
btoadoned out immensely, and / know of no
man who more fully represents the popular
idea Of pure democracy than he does. He
is true American, a patriot and a man
whom the democrats Of the country feel
mat they can trust. The democratic party
today ia more Nnlted than | have ever
Known 1t TO be. The populists wao left the
paw! pvVause OF Cleveland anu his policies
nave returned and are with us again heart
and soul. The middle OF the road ponulists
are still against us, as they always have
been, because We have NOT subscribed TO
their extreme views. and the gold demo-
Gratis are still an uncertain quantity. They
will nave to come TO us, however, or go over
To the republicans. We can not afford IN
Yield to either extreme. and must stand
upon the platform of 1896. Ninety-nino per
cent Of the democrats OF the United States
hold that view"
Ihese views are shared by nearly every
ue'ho'rat IN congress, and they demonstrate
mat Mr. Bailey has felt the pulse of the
democrats of the country Alright. There can
be no Disgusting the fact that William len.
nlngs Bryan is still the idol of the depo.
Gratis OF the country, And the issues ON
wmi'h 'he campaign was waged last year
! lutpngffipb In