The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-26
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

IL Serving It's PurpOse.-SenatoI
Morgan yesterday laid down the law to the
Republicans with the bark on it, concern
ing the Spooner Philippines bill. The Ala
baman declared that the bill should not
get through at this session or the next.
Inc Republicans said not word. Indeed
the Republicans seemed very well satisfied
with the law as laid down by Senator Nor
gan. And there IL excellent reason for
their satisfaction. 1t is known now that
neither Senator Spooner nor any other
representative of the Administration wants
TO pass the bill. 1t was not introduced for
that purpose. At first there was a faint
idea that maybe it might be utilized as
sort OF omnibus measure, or rather as an
excuse for continuing indefinitely the mill
tary government in Porto Rico. But that
was before the bold and startling PROPOSE
ton to levy discriminating tariff against
the productive energies Of Porto Rico mad
taken root In the minds Of the Administra-
ton folks. At the opening Of the session,
1t has been learned, the Spooner bill was
regarded with favor by all of the Repub-
lican managers. They saw in it way out
CT the difficulty confronting them with the
sugar, tobacco, and rum interests on ac-
count OF Porto Rico. 1t was argued that II
Congress should SO enlarge the powers OF
the Executive as to enable him to have
an absolutely free hand in the Philippines
the country would be willing for the mill
tary government In Porto Rico to be con-
t'nued until such time as Congress might
see MT to change it. In that case the Presi-
dent could have dealt with the tariff ques-
ton much more easily and adroitly than
ne has been able to do since a wild clamor
broke out in the nation against the mill
tary rule In Porto Rico. The Spooner bill
has since been adhered to by the Admins
tration mainly for the purpose OF keeping
the Philippines question before Congress
in shape that warranted discussion. Out
OF this discussion has come declaration
OF party principle and Administration policy
concerning colonial government On trust
worthy authority 1t is stated that for this
reason only has the Spooner bill been kept
TO the fore in the Senate. In point OF fact,
Republican Senator told a Times repre-
sentative yesterday what has here been re-
lated He said further that no attempt will
be made at this session to bring the Spoon
er bill to vote. That measure. having
served its purpose, will be abandoned with
the close Of the session.
A Maverick Ticket.-For fifty years
or longer unbranded cattle on the Western
ranges have been known as Mavericks.
This designation Is due to the custom
which distinguished maternal ancestor Of
Mayor Van Wyck of New York first prac
ticed with persistency-thato of claiming as
his own all cattle found roaming around |
without brands. One Of the counties in |
the Texas district represented in The |
House by the Hon. James L. Slayden Of
hrar sha nf Inv icl
in honor of the famous Texan who fol- |
lowed the custom referred to. This Nav |
erick County is about as big in area as
and in population 1t is
about on pr with the House OF Repre-
sentatives when adjournment is forced on
a point OF no quorum. But nearly every
man in the bounty is a Democrat, and.
what Is better still, every one OF them
seems to be Democrat sans isms and
rills. The population Of Maverick County
met several days ago to renew its allegi-
ance to the Democracy and to Slayden.
ii elected delegates to various
Conventions. Those commits
stoned to represent the county in the
State Convention which elects delegates
o the Kansas City Convention were in
tructed to vote for nobody for delegate to
Kansas City who would not pledge him.
elf to see toiit that the Hon. David Ben
let Hill is placed on the ticket with Mr..
Bryan. These Maverick Democrats de-
lare in their resolutions that the surest
way to save the country from its impend
ng doom is by making a clean sweep OF
he offices this year from President down.
they believe Hill would add more real
trength to the ticket than would any
Their running mate Mr.. Bryan could have.
hey declare that Hill must he con-
cripted IL he will not come forward and
olunteer. They also declare that they
ont care rap what his views On the
question are now or what they
sed to be. What they are principally con-
erned about at this juncture is Democratic
uccess in November. 1t is thought that
be Maverick brand OF Democracy may
ssert itself in a right vigorous way at
.ansas City In July. II the ticket should
e Bryan and Hill the Democracy of
Iaverick County, Texas. should be looked
fter well when the prize committee Or
anizes for business.
A Great Golf Pinyer.-A veracious
urnalist, who recently returned from an q
tour of the Middle West, /
as brought TO Washington a strange story
Ihdiana's most distinguished q
tizen. the Hon. Benjamin Harrison. The
urnalist in question stopped at Indian 1
)0llS rev Gays ana wnlle mere was es> | I
rted out to the golf links by friend. L
e could hardly believe his eyes when he [
,held scampering and cantering nimbly 1
er the field after the evasive white ball T
e pudgy but still dignified form of the I,
rmer President Of the United States. 1t is 6
lated that General Harrison wears a suit 6
the links that is the envy Of every be- q
:der. A jaunty cap. knee breeches gor- u
ously colored stockings-in brief, the y
mplete paraphernalia OF the golf player. =
e puts" and drives and does all Of the y
her things Of the game with the enthu- .;
,sm and vigor Of a youth, though the II :!
ashington journalist who saw him at the 4
ort declares that In his golf togs he u
,ks like Brownie The startled Wash
gtonians amazement was increased when
heard the former President utter the
me of the game In the way that its dew s.
ees insist that all proper" persons pro-
unce it, to-wit: "gawf." General Harrt-
n completely elided the ''l' in his pro- y.
notation of the word. and gave to the "a
;" harsh, cultural sound that even the $
glish "a does not possess g
rhc Blackburn Proposition.-Sen- b,
" elect Blackburn's proposition to re- II
Al the Goebel law in Kentucky is not Sc
". Il is known that he favored this In -
negotiations with the Republicans "a
ich Immediately followed the death ~ w