The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-28
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IS, 1900.


WEDNESDAY, MARCH IS, 1900.
MIR. Foraker's Brilliant leadership.
After two or three weeks of incessant
caucusing and conference, the Administra-
ton leaders in the Senate have finally de-
cided to let the Payne-F Foraker iniquity
come to a vote. when they can get one,
and take their chances of its passage.
Abandoning all hope of being able to pass
the House bill they have made COM
posite OF il and the civil government bill,
and the mixed measure yesterday was in
troduced by Senator Foraker. They will
now press this Interesting confection to its
fate, accepting the risk of what may hap
pen should it slip through the Senate and
get within strangling distance of the
House.
Just what the prospect may be for pass
ing the enlarged and amended infamy, or
any other thing designed to impose IN
constitutional tariff taxation or the do
nestle commerce Of American territory, it
would be impossible 10 say with even ap-
proximate certainty. Senators Foraker
and Allison are quoted as expressing the
most perfect confidence that, when the
roll is called. the Republican Senators
will rally around the Administration just
as the House Republicans did recently. On
the other hand. members of the little band
Of constitutionalists on the trust side OF
the Senate Chamber are insistent that Mr..
Foraker cannot muster enough votes to
immediate free trade no matter how hard
he may try or how long he may wait. Just
row there seem to be enough Republican
Senators with conscientious scruples about
continuing the reign of famine and desc
lstion in Porto Rico, and with respect for
;he fundamental law of the land, 10 pre-
vent action. with the help of the Demo-
Gratis. if not TO dominate it in the direc-
tion of humanity and justice. 1t remains
10 be seen, when the vote comes how
many of these constitutionalists will be
found true to their colors. That is some
thing concerning which no one. and GER
tainly not The Times, would now venture
a prediction.
Whatever may be the outcome OF the
family feud and irrespective of whether
the Administration is TO be indicated by
a measure promoted and pressed with the
object of expressing Porto Rico that the
trusts may be benefited and the campaign
fund enriched, nobody can help admiring
the courage. devotion. and fixity OF pur-
pose which have illuminated the course OF
Senator Foraker in the connection even
since the plain duty of Mr. Mckinley
and the every consideration of justice and
humanity" of Secretary Root were over
turned and publicly swallowed at the COM
mand of the oil. sugar, tobacco, and rum
trusts.
II others have been afraid or ashamed to
set the Administration right, and to place
ii before the American people upon plat
form luridly explanatory of itself. Mr.. For
aker has not. The absolute self-abnegatioa
which he has shown and still displays in
sacrificing his health and peace Of mind in
carrying on this Payne tariff war to the
last ditch, is certainly admirable when we
consider antecedent history. and it almos,
seems to offer evidence of return Of good
for evil. For who can forget that not SO
were flying at each others threats and
with red blood in their eyes hoarseIy
shouting on one side for McKinley-on the
other for Foraker? Again, who does not
recall the interesting Buckeye campaign
in which the Forakerites were inserting
their cruel political knives in the middriff
of Hanna and the Hannaites whenever or
portunity offered? Evidently Foraker is as
forgiving as the other equally virtuous Jo-
seph was TO the wicked brethren who stole
his coat, put him in a hole, and sold him
to the Egyptian pyramid and mummy
trust. Having pardoned his elder brother
Mckinley, 1t is Foraker's dearest ambition
TO serve him, and now, for campaign Dur
poses, he would place that once more
fondly loved individual upon a pinnacle OF
periidy TO his word and plighted faith. of
callous cruelty to an American community
possessing ali the rights of other like COM
munities. and OF Nat and open defiance IN
the plain letter and spirit of the Constltu
ton. Could disinterested fraternaI affec.
ton go further?
II is barely possible that a man less
amiable. less unsuspecting. less able 10
agree with delegations OF every conflict
ing opinion and shade OF opinion as they
walk into audience in turn, might see
or think he saw. something suspicious in
the sudden and miraculous conversion OF
this Saul of Cincinnati from prosecutor
OF the Administration saints-holding the
garments Of them which stoned Saint Mar
cu5-to the condition OF the saintllest and
trustiest henchman of the lot. But
guileless himself Mr.. Mckinley cannot
discover guile in others. and will not hun,
for 1t. He accepts the platform and pin
nacle provided by his late enemy. and
occupies them with apparent comfort and
satisfaction.
II 1t should chance that they did no,
appeal fayorabiy to the mass OF American
voters next November. that might be 9
moving cause for Presidential regret dur.
ing the fragmentary remains OF the pres.
ent term; but Foraker would have the
proud consciousness of setting the Presi
dent right and keeping him so to tn,
bitter end. These words OF praise for
political opponent are wrung from US b,