The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-04-05
WASHINGTON.
from Regular Correspondent.


The Republican wobblers in the
Senate have at last succeeded IN
patching up Porto Rican bill that
will receive enough Republican votes
TO lam 1t through the Senate. and an
agreement has been made to vote on
the bill next Tuesday. The new bill
retains the IS per cent tariff, although
changes have been made to catch the
votes of four or five Senators, and the
provision for civil government
There is much speculation as to what
speculation as to what the House will
do with the bill. If the members
could vote as they talk they would
strike out the tariff clause and insert
one providing for free trade, but press
ure is being brought to bear upon
them to vote for the bill as the Senate
passes it. Mr.. Mckinley has for the
time ceased to wobble and is using
his influence to push the bill through.
Democrats hope the Republicans will
succeed IN forcing the bill through as
party measure, as responsibility for
making it a law will give the Demo
Gratis the electoral votes of several
States and at least twenty seats in the
next House.
During one of the slttings of the
House Military Committee, which is
investigating the use of Federal troops
in Idaho, Representative Lentz, of
Ohio, was very near to coming to
blows with Representative Hull,
Chairman of the committee The lie
was passed. Mr.. Lentz accused the
chairman and the Republican mem
bers of the committee of unfairness in
the conduct of the investigation.
What Democrats think OF the Re-
publican attempts to make it appear
that Col. Bryan is not as strong can
didate as he was in 1896 may be
judged from the opinions herewith
given, which voiced the general Dem
ocratic sentiment in Congress and in
Washing ton. Senator Morgan-''Mr.
Bryan will be nominated again be-
cause he Is the strongest man IN the
party" Senator Money-Mr. Bryan
will be nominated and he will be
elected. He is the strongest man in
the Democratic party" Senator Tur-
ley do not know of any one in the
Democratic party who as President
ial candidate, would receive the sup.
port which will be gwen to Mr.. Bryan.
His chances of election are much
better than in 1906" Senator Till
man-"rhere is no comparison, SC
far as the chances of Bryan's election
this fall are concerned, with the stu
alton that prevailed In 1896. His
chances are very much greater.
Senator Bate-"Bryan is today the
strongest man, and he will pull mill
ION more votes than any other mar
who could be named. l believe he
will be elected" Senator Kenny
"Under all the circumstances, Bryan
is the strongest man we could nom
nate. don't think any Democrat
will contend otherwise. He is strong
because he is near to the people, and
he represents Democratic principles
better than any other man." Senator
elect Blackburn-"Our Republican
friends are all busilv engaged in trying
to convince us that our chahces o.
winning are good with anybody excep
Mr.. Bryan. l think know the motive
that prompts this disinterested advice
and / am equally positive that Mr.
Bryan at the head of our ticket will
poll million more votes than an!
other man unburied. His nomination
IS accepted by every one, and is a
much an accomplished fact now as i
will be after the 4th of next July"
Senator Morgan trapped Senate
Foraker very cleaverly on the question
OF whether the Constitution extends t,
Porto Rico. 1t was during a discussion
OF the new Porto Rico bill, which i
the result of the last Republican eau
sus-a little change In phaseology
but none in principle. Mr.. Morgan
remarked that he found no provision
IN the bill tor the establishment O
national banks on the island, whel
Mr. Foraker interrupted to say tina
the bill extended all laws of the U.
TO Puerto E.ico which are not local.
inapplicable. "Does the Senator thin
national banks may be establishe,
eref" asked Mr.. Morgan. "Withi
the limitations named in the bill,
should say yes" replied Senator Fol-