The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-05-02
FROM THE NATIONS CAPITAL.
{ From Our O,rn Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. April 81, 1900.
There is some chance for the preser-
walton of Porto Rico from being looted
by the franchise grabbers who are
swarming in this city and who will soon
be swarming around the carpet-bag
executive council Of the islands, to
which the original tariff bill allots the
duty of dealing out the pie. This
chance comes through the desire of
the President for more time in which
to select the officers Of the new govern
ment and his consequent appeal to
Congress to permit the military Office
holders to retain their posts until Au-
gust next. In reply to this appeal, the
Senate promptly agreed to resolution
granting the necessary authority. The
House, however, dissatisfied with nav
ing the franchise provisions of the
tariff bill crammed down it's throat
took advantage of this opportunity to
have something to say about franchises
and tacked to the Senate resolution an
amendment limiting the granting Of
franchises. The Senate, Us represented
by Mark Hanna and other friends Of
the trusts who propose to loot the
island. seriously objects to this, and
says that the bill shall never pass with
any amendment lessening the powers
Of the council. But the House, too,
insists on its point. AS only week is
left for reaching an agreement, there is
little doubt that the House will have
it's way. Even If no agreement is
reached and the bill fails, the Demo-
Gratis will have won, as in that case,
the civilian officers will have to be ap-
pointed at once and will be confirmed
by the Senate which will have adjourn
ed by August. The trusts will not
dare to run the risk of having their
men nominated and rejected and the
President will be forced to select far
better men than he would have done
had they been able to take Office with
ont being confirmed.
Democrats in this city are amused by
the almost frantic search Of the Re-
publicans for q candidate for the Vice
Presidency who will add strength to
their ticket this fall. 1t is conceded
that Roosevelt would do this, but
Roosevelt declines to be impressed,
and the Republicans really have no
other man who can be relied upon to
make up for McKinley's tremendous
loss Of popularity on account of his
lodging attitude on the pSSrrtt0 RRicaE
bill. Before this blunder was made by
the Republicans in Congress there wac
no thought of the party being con-
strained by the consideration Of local
expeiiency in the selection Of candi-
date for Vice President ON the ticket
v;.a.. Mckinley, s sWls not thought 10
be necessarv fcs tho candidate for the
second place to add strength to the
ticket. 1t was enough that he should
not be q source of weakness. Nor was
it formerly felt that there was any sec
tion of the country that had to be par
ticularly considered. But now, in con-
sequence of the universal lisapproval
of the Porto Rican tariff il is felt to be
necessary TO be guided in the selection
OF a candidate by consideration of the
weak spots in the West.
More than this, the argument is be-
ing seriously advanced by. mon of high
standing in Congress that the platform
adopted at Philadelphia must not'fully
commit the party as tothe permanency
Of the insuihr policy. the idea being
that the course adopted toward Porto
Rico may he excused OF The ground
that conditions do notwarrant our con-
Guiding definitely, IA yet, what dispo-
siti0n we are to make of our new pos
sessions, and TINT ae soon as that has
been settled; nclicyy wi!: 20 adjustsa to
snit tho eondiisi,,lis.
While one dislikes to believe that the
present furry in Turkish affairs has
been gotten up merely for home con-
sumption, and with q view to. the con-
vention and election, it cannot be
denied that there is something very.
curious in the fact that It has been
saved up until now, although the out
RACES complained OF took place years
and years ago, and although the mis-
sionaries have been elamoring for rep
aration ever since. Long before the
Spanish war, public meetings were
held in various parts Of the country
! demanding redress at the cannon's
mouth; meetings, by the way, which
were ignored entirely by the admins
tintion.g But now that q closer and
bitterer struggle than that Of '98 is ap-
preaching, and now that Che church
people all over the country are passing
resolutions condenning the President
Cor sustaining his Attorney -Genefal in
defnntly vi0latine The ..l.:::: :ts, ::Ituus ana
purpose of Congress by maintaining
the eanteen, ii is, to say the least. most
lucky for Mckinley TINT 4 ssaaooIuiSi a oI,i;Sii
q nave ssvs q ehance TO stand out as a stDe-