The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-15
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.
Ma, h. . R,uu..r, ponun,,,

May be q Rumpus.-The Republican
..sssosls gre beginning Peel uneasy over i
much wrath is accommodating in the White
House. and that an explosion is liable to
crinkle Mr.. McKlnleys incrustation of
placidity at most any time. The Presi-
dent is publicly committed to absolute
free trade for Porto Rico. Even II he we're
inclined TO change his view he could not
now do so without laying himself open to
the charge of unstatesmanly inconsistency.
But Republican Senators. particularly those
from Connecticut, are still insisting upon
the maintenance Of a disc iminating tarif
against Porto Rico for the protection of
special interests mainly the fine grade to-
baccos of Connecticut. How the President
is going TO get out of the dilemma without
arousing sharp conflict in the Senate that
may lead to a serious party split is not
now apparent to ordinary folks. II is said
TO be certain that he cannot much longer
resist the pressure bearing down upon him
heavily for Porto Rican free trade. 1t has
been made so manifest that the present
suffering and starvation in Porto Rico are
directly due TO the tariff barriers main
tanned by the Administration that II is
uOl DtlltNtu Mt. NChlUItN VIII uiuih
longer rest under the imputation Of re
sponsibility. 1t is well understood that
the indisposition OF his party 10 relieve
the wretched situation in our new insular
possession is furnishing the anti-expansion-
lists ammunition for use against the Presi-
dent Aside from the fact that Mr.. Nc
kinley is said to be deeply touched with
the tales of suffering that reach his sym
pathetic ears from Porto Rico. II is known
that he is not the kind Of statesman who
contributes by supins inactivity TO the
arguments of his political opponents.
Hence. ii is regarded as highly probable
that the President will very soon issue
proclamation of defiance to those leaders
of his party in Congress who are OBJ
structing free trade for Porto Rico.
Favored by the Prcsidcnt.-The St
Louis Worlds Fair boomers returned home
yesterday considerably elated by the pros
poets of the success of their bill. after
alternating periods of ioubt and hope dur
ing their weeks work in Washington. II
is said that President Mckinley has been
brought around to a favorable view CT the
enterprise. and that he has advised Re-
publican leaders ia Congress to vote for
the appropriation of the s5,000,000 sub
NeHilOn asked Dy 81. LOUIS. ana also 10
appropriate 81. 900 for a Government
building and exhibit Ii appears that the
st. Louis representatives have at last sue
ceeded in measure not only in nation
alzing their projected exposition. but also
in Matchmaking their city. which was an
object of primary consideration. 1t is
commented upon as a curious circumstance
that though in point of population St
Louis is the fourth city in the Union, yet
there Is apparently less national pride ard
interest in the metropolis of the Missis-
sippi Valley than in a half dozen or more
cities of smaller size7snd commercial inn
portance. The st. Louis Worlds Fair
boomers first had to overcome this lack
Of pride and interest in their town on the
part of the national. lawmakers before
they were able TO make substantial prog
ress with their proposition for Congress
sional aid TO the exposition in celebration
of the centennial OF 'ithe Louisiana Pur-
chase. Even if they have accomplished
nothing else than this their expensive visit
to Washington will not have been In vain.
But II is confidently believed that the ap-
preparations asked will be granted by Con-
gress. and thus the fairs prospects are
assured. asa-