The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1900-01-25
Washington Letter.
tFrom our own Correspondent y

(From our own Correspondent
Republican Senators have become
tired of the apathy of the Democrat!
regarding the currency bill. 1t ha!
been pending in The upper House fol
nearly two weeks and yet scarcely &
speech has been made upon it. Day
after day, it is laid aside because nc
Senator is ready to discuss it. Mr.
Aldrich. Of Rhode Island, chair.
man of the Finance Committee, has
now issued an u!,imatum on the sub
ject. "I shall feel it my duty" he
said on Thursday last, "to attempt 10
secure either a discussion or vote
upon the bill next week" He added
that as the Democrats had not at
tackled the bill. the Republicans did
not feel called upon to defend it.
This statement may possibly bring
things to crisis. The truth is that
the Democrats are for the most part
secretly glad to have the bill become
a law, thus retiring the silver ques
ton from practical politics for four
or six years. Only the silver Repub-
licans are strongly opposed TO it and
they are pretty we'll talked out on
the subject. 1t would not be surpris-
ing if the bill should pass within two
weeks.
The event OF the week has been
Secretary Roots refusal to be a can
didate for the Vice Presidency this
place almost by common assent, as a
recognition of his splendid work i'll
the War department.. But he proved
to be not altogether acceptable to
certain factions in New York, and
besides he preferred to remain where
he is with the idea Of continuing and
sustaining the fiuc record he has
made. His retirement leaves the
public in something of a quandary as
to the selection of the Presidents
running mate. Former Secretary
Bliss and Governor Roosevelt have
both been mentioned, but neither
will take the post, the former be-
cause he is tired of public life, aud
the latter because be wants some-
thing better in the future. Licuten-
ant Governor Woodruff, of New
York, is hot after the post and is
making the most vigorous sort of
campaign to win it. But he is not a
man OF national reputation, and there
is some doubt whether he can win
the support of his own state. Pro-
baby the most available candidate
yet suggested is Senator Lodge Of
Massachusetts, who has all the quail
fications for the post. 1t is doubtful,
however, whether he would sacrifice
what is probably life job in the
Senate for four years as presiding Of
ficer Of that body. The nominee, of
course, must come either from the
cast or the south. in view Of the fact
that the President himself comes
from the west.
Opposition to free trade with
Peurto Rico still continues strong in
this city, though it is not probable
that it will be possible to defeat a
measure so strongly urged by the
President. Most of it arises, not
from any fear of the products of that
island, but because it is thought that
to admit them will mark a break in
the protective system. Speaking of
this, prominent Republican Senator
said today: 81 think it will be grave
mistake il Puerto Rican products are
admitted duty free to the United
States. No logical claim that know
of can be advanced for that island
which cannot be advanced for the
Philippines, and which may not be
advanced for Cuba in the near future.
To admit these products will be to
deprive the Republican party of the
support of the sugar and tobacco
growers and thus allienate q large
section of our strongest supporters.
When these people are deprived of
protection on their own products,
how long will they support duties on
wool and woolens, on iron aaa61 steel,