The evening times., 1900-03-07
WEDNESDAY. MARCH {. 1900.
How the called Jade winces.


How to serve the trusts and at the same
time fool the people is the Republican prob
lem Of the hour and the party leaders are
finding it a very difficult one TO solve.
Various gentlemen of credit and renown
are figuring on schemes which they hope
may operate to disguise the hideousness
of the Payne iniquity and render it less
nauseous TO The country; but. so far, moth
ing very promising has been developed in
consequence. The Davis amendment, de
signed 10 rlacate free trade Minnesota, and
10 catch Democratic Senators asleep, has
fallen rather fat. Perhaps the most
gaudy plan Vet evolved from the aching
brain OF a terrified Administration is one
TO sive Porto Rico free trade in everything
bur the commodities controlled by the
trusts. For present purposes it may he a
fact that this scheme would placate North
western Republican millers. Western agri-
cultural implement makers, and so on, and
of course the great oil. sugar. tobacco, and
rum monopolies would be satisfied But
the confession which such a measure
would present TO the country that what
ever right Porto Rico may have to free
trade must be subordinated to the inter
ests of the trusts while the Republican
party remains in power. would not make it
a good campaign record or document Tor
Mr.. Mckinley
The truth is that all efforts to evade the
direct issue precipitated by the Payno
Porto Rican Tariff bill have failed. The
Democrats in the Senate are not 10 be lur-
Cd from the unGssailable position that the
plot 10 tax the island for the benefit OF
the trusts is not only monsuous in itself.
but is IN open and fragrant violation OF the
Constitution. Their opponents do not rel
ish the idea OF the impending debate. The
latter have bad cause. which they and
their President have frightfuily misman-
aged, to defend. and they realize THAI they
have the humane and law-abiding senti-
ment Of the American people against them
Yet the Republican organization dare not
turn back now. If it cannot regain public
respect and confidence. ii viii try to be
CUntented with the money Of its masters.
and trust to the campaign tactics Of 1896 to
pull il through.
That probably viii prove a poor depend
tAlNts 1uuNlAiOlS nave changed Inc
money combination of New York and Lon
don no longer fears bimetallism. That
matter is settled for five years TO come
at least. One prolific source of political
revenue is therefore cut of. Oil sugar
tobacco. rum, and few other protected
Interests can be depended upon for cash;
and the Ship Subsidy bin. the Hay Paunce-
fote Treaty. il ratified. and perhaps a
subsidized Pacific cable company. would
help considerably. But. after all is said
and done il may well be doubted that there
viii be enough wealth at headquarters
70 control another Presidential election.
Consciousness or such things renders the
Republican managers extremely nervous
al the present time. and painfully sensi-
tive to the unfavorable public opinion they
have created regarding the recent course
Of the party and its Administration. APP
parently The situation for them is a hope
less one. They are bound hand and foot
to the trusts. The people know it. resent
it. and may be counted on to show their
reseutment on the sixth day OF November
next.