The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-15
KNOWN D IBE NATION
Long Energies From the
Porto RiCan Conflict
AS A NATIONAL FIGURE
His Work as Whip--kansans
at the Capital.

the national campaign is made; the
hardest fight in congress for forty years
Is over, and Kansas representative has
emerged from the fray with a national
reputation. That Kansas representative
is the member from the Seventh district
Mr.. Long.
1t is from the committee Of ways and
means that leaders of national parties
come; it is that committee that really
controls and embraces the organization of
the dominant party. 1t is that committee
that shapes the legislation and policy of
the country. When Mr.. Long was placel
on the committee, while he had many
warm friends and admirers in congress,
there were those of national repute in
the Republican party In the house who
thought that possibly the speaker had
made a mistake when he placed the
young Kansan on this important commit
tee. The speaker, however was confident
of his choice, and willing to abide by it.
The speech the Kansan made on the tar
if bill when it was first considered by the
house made him conspicuous. 1t topened
the eyes Of the doubters; it added to the
admiration of his friends. 1t satisfied the
speaker. It was spoken Of highly by the
president and his cabinet. 1t was taken,
by the hundreds of thousands, for distri-
button by the national committees of his
party.
But this speech was not all. Much as it
adde to MT. Longs prestige, there were
other things to distinguish him later.
They came with the return Of the amend
ed bill from the senate. Grave doubts
were entertained by Republican leaders,
of the possibility of the house concurring
in the senate amendments and thus pass
ing the bill. 1t was a serious question.
The majority was not large. 1t was de-
creased by the disaffection of Republi-
cans. It was only possible to secure a
very few Democratic votes. So the ques-
ton was a very hard one to solve. Into
the solution, the representative from the
Seventh district came, selected by the
speaker and his fellow-associates of the
majority of the committee of ways and
means. Out of 1t he emerged, victorious,
with new aurels to his credit, and with
his national reputation; with the COM
mendation of the speaker, the house lead
er, Mr. Payne, the press of his party and
the compliments of even the opposition
and its press, so thoroughly recognized
We're his services.
1t is no slight task to handle the pairs
on the final passage of a great piece of
legislation. 1t is task that is an ardu-
Gus one at best 1t takes skill and politi-
cal manipulation and it was herein that
Mr.. Longs ability as a political organizer
the results of which are known to Kan
san through the splendid Seventh district
came into play. There
never was such an organization, probably,
as that existing in the Seventh district
OF Kansas. It has puzzled the opposition.
1t has stood intact and complete through
all the disastrous political years since
1890. It has been composed of loyal fell
lows, held together through fealty to it's
candidate, and he, now de-
feated, now elected, with his power and
ability as an organizer, has demonstrated
to Kansas the good of a perfect organiza-
ton. This it was then, that assisted
Mr. Long in winning the day for the
Puerto Rican bill
1t IS not very puZzling to see how 1t
was that the Republicans were in dam
ger. The majority in the house is nine
teen. Nine Republicans were opposed to
the bill Their votes off, and cast with
the opposition. left TIE republicans one
majority, las it made a change OF eight
cen votes. Mr.. Sibley ow Pennsylvania,
Democrat, favored the bill. That made its
majority two. This was very slender,
and more than that must be obtained
How? That was the question.
Just at this time OF year, congressional
and state conventions are being held.
Many republicans and a number of DEM
ocrats were away. Nearly all had either
a fight in their district or were other
wise interested. Others were at homo
be arranged; every Republican must be
urged on here for the vote, else a good
pair that will stand must be arranged.
When Mr.. Long took charge on Wednes-
day, April 4, forty-five Republicans were
absent from the capital. Only handful
of these were paired, and some of those
not permanently or well paired. When
the vote was taken one week later, every
Republican either was present or the few
absent We're paired to stand, with one
single exception-NIr. Boutelle Of Maine.
This IS the greatest compliment that
could be paid Mr. Longs organizing abil4
ity TeIegrams flew fast and thick for &.
week. Every Republican was urged to
the capital. Where ne could not come a
pair was arranged for him Live" pairs
were sought by Mr.. Long That meant
pairing an absent Republican with a
Democrat who was here. 1t was a diff
cult thing 10 do. but il was done in sew
eral instances. Mr. Long simply out
generated the opposition The latter at
tempted TO work of Democrats who were
sick and could not POSSIBLY vote anyway
on Mr.. Long FOR pairs with Republicans
who would probably vote otherwise. Nj
Long refused in every instance to do 50.
Not a single pair was made that did not
reflect credit upon his management This
was where the advantage game, in the
end, to the Republicans. Some OF the
Democrats were sick others did not set
here. . few were unable TO secure pairs.
an5 that was how it came about that
the majority for The bill was eight in
stead 81 two.
Il has been Z great week Of ariumphs
for the advocates ofg a tariff for Puerto
Rico, and a great week for the member
from the Seventh district.
The Chicago Tribune in recent edI-
torial had q very complimentary men
ton o. The recent speech % Mr.. Long on
the Puerto Ric2n tariff question. In this
the Tribune said: II some
Of the persons who are making IN fam
r1arory speeches and printing excited ar
guments On this subject would calmly [