The Springfield herald., 1900-02-09

udNt dbhtu lOI lhc VI tlC
reciprocity treaty with France for sew
eral similar reasons, but the President
declines to crafty them. He thus
shows that he Is not so extremely pro-
tectionist rs many people supposed,
and still believes in the reciprocity
principle. He approves of the treaties
and hopes they will be ratified, but II
they are not he will let the blame rest
upon the Republicans of the Senate.
Miss Susan B. Anthony has arrived
in Washington to make preparation for
the annual convention of the National
Woman Suffrage Association, which
opens there next week. 1t will be as
sociated with two interesting occur
rences in the life of Miss Anthony
the celebration of her eightieth birth
day and her resignation as president.
The first will be made a great fes'ivity
by friends of the veteran Suffragist
leader. The second will cause univer-
sal regret. even sorrow, though II Is
Miss Anthony herself who so earnestly
desires to lay down the gavel. 1t Is
no question of failing vigor, mental or
physical. for Susan B. Anthony never
looked better in her life" Active of
step alert and ready of speech, retain
ing the forccful characteristics of her
strong individuality, she would pass
for n woman of sixty any day. For
twenty-eight years Miss Anthony has
welded the gavcl at annual conven-
tions-in the first years as vice presi-
dent at large, acting in the absence OF
Mrs. Stanton, the president, and later
when elected president to succeed Mrs.
Stanton. Miss Anthony says she has
other work to do before passing on
"beyond the river" and therefore de-
sires herself to place the gavel in
younger hands and encourage the
younger element to lead in suffrage
work. She does not specify the other
work, but 1t is understood that 1t in
cludes the complete history of suffrage
from the beginning, in 1913. to 1900.
The Republican members of the SEN
ate committee ON Pacific islands and
Puerto Rico have bolted the Prcs-
dents recommendations in regard to
free trade and territorial government
in Puerto Rico. AT their meeting on
Saturday they showed n decided ten
dency to reject his advice and estnb-
lish Il colonial system, which will have
to be applied to the Philippine islands
also. Its adoption is demanded because
the high protectionists fear lest the ad-
mission of Puerto Rican products free
of duty may be n wedge to split the
present tariff If Puerto Rico is to
have free trade Hawaii and the Philip
pine islands are entitled to the same
favor, and then we will be taking in
Cuba next and cannot refuse her what
we have given to the others. The OBJ
lection to the establishment of n terri
torial government in Puerto Rico Is
found in the census returns, which
show that fully four-tifths of the in
habitnnts of the island are absolutely
illitcrate, and therefore unfit to eXer-
else the rights and privileges guaran-
toad Inv thp constitution N pitiynnS n
the United States. The senators argue
that if we take in Puerto Rico as a
territory we must give the people free
and unlimited suffrage. trial by jury
and the right to enact their own laws.
responsibilities which cannot safely be
intrusted to more than II small part of
the population. Therefore it is deemed
best to treat Puerto Rico us IL child and
keep her in the nursery until she has
been educated in the ways of civilian
tion. a colonial government will be
recommended. with u governor general.
to be appointed by the President. and
Legislative council whose acts are to
be subject to the approval of Congress.
The controversy among the ambassa-
dors over rank and precedence begins
to be contagious. for Speaker Hcnder-
son has asserted his social prcroga-
tivcs and demands the second place at
the Presidents table and the seat of
honor at all other social functions. 1t
should he said at the beginning that
Colonel Henderson does this. not from
personal pride. for he believes with
other Scotchmcn that wherever Nc
Grcgor sits is always the head of the
table. but he feels il his duty to de-
fcnd and vindiCate the office to which
he has been elected: 1t came about this
way: When President Mckinley gave
IL state dinner in honor of the Cabinet
the other day, he placed Mrs. Frye, the
wife of the president pro TEN of the
Senate. in the place of honor, and Mr..
Frye was asked to escort Mrs. McKin-
ley to the table. Speaker Henderson
escorted Mrs. Hay and had the second
place. while Secretary Hay escorted
Mrs. Henderson. This arrangement
was made after "A Cabinet consultation
and upon the recommendation of Sec
rctnry Hay. who waived his own
claims of precedence. which most peo-
pie believe are stronger than those of
either Mr.. Frye or Mr.. Henderson. Mr..
Henderson made no objection to the
seating arrangements at the time.
but after the dinner he sent friend
to the President TO explain the social
status which he claimed. not for him
self personally, but for the office he
holds. and expressed the hope that
hereafter he might be given the seat to
which his rank entitled him. Senator
Frye holds that aS president of the
Senate he is entitled to all of the pres
tige and prerogativcs of the vice presi
dent. Colonel Henderson maintains
that the office of vice president being
vacant the Speaker of the House oc-
cupies the highest rang after the Pres
ident. He claims that the President
pro ten. is merely n substitute elect
ed as matter of convenience and the