The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1900-03-30

lrrom our laagul,r corsapondaal.l )


wAsnNoToN. Mar. 10th, 1909.
The nightmare labeled "Porto Rico
tariff" still hoyers over the pillow oI
prominent republicans land destroys
their rest. Conferences are held every
day with Mr.. Mckinley BY Senators who
favor the tariff and by Senators who
iavor tree trade. and. the odd thing Il
that both classes OF Senatora talk ~
though trey bel,evs Mckinley to be on
their side. All sor.s Of propositions are
being advanced by republican senators "a
avoid anything like an open rupturel In
their party on thls question. one os thetr
being TO continue the debate until the
cloee Of the session without allowing the
bill TO come to vote, ana another to
cad it up with all sorts Of amendments
and then defeat Ii by an overwhelming
vote. The dodge in either Of these tx
pedients would be so palpable, that Il Ia
hardly conceivable that the republican
eaders will be foolish enough to allow
either to be adopted. The republican
party is Ia control Of all branches Of the
government and for 1t to fail to place
itself on record by positive LEGISLATION ON
this question. would be az acknowledge
ment OF weakness that would be
absolutely certain to drive the party
from power. That Is why they win
havt TO patch up come sort OF legisla'
ton.
1t was by strict party vote, except
ing Senator Lindsay, of KY, who voted
with the repblicans, int tns senate
tabled Serator Aliens amendment to
the Porto Rico b,l. declaring that by
force OF the Patis Treaty Of Peace the
Constitution Of the o. 8. was extended
over Porto Rico and its inhabitants, aud
the previous talk Of some OF the. republic
can senators made their votes somewhat
surprising, as a vote TO table the amend-
nent was equivalent to vote in favor Of
the contention that congressl can legis.
late for our new poesesslone, regardless
of tie Constitutica.
The alleged offer Of the good Offices OF
this government to facilitate negotia-
tions for peace knetween, Great Britain
and the Dutch republics in South Africa
was confirmatory rather than Otherwise
of the belief that an understanding exc
lists between the Mckinley administers.
ton and the present British government.
II enabled Mr.. Mckinley to make an at.
tempt TO soothe the numerous republi-
can sympathizera with the two strug-
Cling republics, by pretending to d.
something, aud at tis same time gave
Lord Salisbury iu he wanted
an excuse to serve notice on the powers
ef Europe, through his answer to the al
legged cffer Of our good otices that no
mediation would be tolerated by Great
Britain, and that the conquest OF the two
republics would be pushed 20 . conclu-
sion rs originally planned. II that was
not the result Of an understanding be-
ween the British government and the
Mckinley administration, Ii was one Of
the oldest condolences that ever oc'
Cured.
Foreign policies are not the only
things this administration 10 copying
from European nations. Secretary Ions
has created board TO be known as the
Naval Policy Board, corresponding TO
general staff o European navies, which
will control our Navy both in peace and
war. Admiral Dewey is head of.h .
new board.