The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-24
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

The Bill Will PaSs.-The efforts Of
the Republican managers to make it ap-
pear that there is serious doubt Of the pas
sage through the Senate Of the Porto Ric- n
| Tariff bill are beginning TO arouse sus-
picions in the best informed circles. A few
days ago there was an impression in these
same circles that probably there was some
doubt as to the passage Of the bill. That
is to say, the talent even became excited
by the play now going on among the dig
nided old Senators and actually had begun
to believe that there was a lively row on.
Senator Foraker carried the play so far as
TO declare in the open Senate Wedn sday
afternoon that he was ready at that very
moment for final vote on the bill. There
upon the calm and imperturbable Mr.. Proc
tor arose and interposed objection to a vote
being aiken at that particular moment.
Il thought you would have somebody ready
10 do that said the cynical Senator Allen,
the Nebraska Populist, who has been in
legislative life long enough to know few
things himself. Senator Spooner yesterday
made a speech, which was frequently inter-
rupted by Senator Tillman. Senator Spoon
er refused to answer directly the repeated
question Of Senator Tillman as to whether
OF not the amiable Mr. Mckinley was now
in favor Of a discriminating tariff against
Porto Rico since his famous plain duty
message. Senator Spocner, however, did
dwell with a good deal OF emphasis on the
kind heart OF Mr.. Mckinley, which nobody
doubts-not even Senator Tfllman-and
rung the changes eloquently on the gen
crosby toward Porto Rico contained in the
relief bill, carrying gratuity Of more than
two million dollars from the pubic reve-
nues. It is no longer doubted, however,
that Mr. Mckinley favors the tariff bill.
His love Of party harmony is conceded to
be too great TO permit him TO oppose what
evidently is a party necessity even though
he dill irdite with his own hand the plain
duty message that was read at the open
ing of the Fifty-sixth Congress. The naked
truth seems to be that after the Senate has
held up the bill sufficient time TO permit
the party machinery to straighten out the
leaders in various parts Of the country, the
ill will be passed practically by
party vote. Senator Beverage. who, at an
inCpportune time introduced free trade
amendment. after he had openly declared
himself for the House bill. NAV vote with
the Democrats against the measure. So
may Senators Davis and Nelson of Mime
sofa, Senators Mason and Cullom of I'LL
nOlS, ana one or two other members whose
constituents have frightened them into a
free trade position; but il is freely predict
ed that the disseEteTs will not be sufficient
in number TO dignity their dissent as a re-
volt. 1t is generally believed that the bill
will be held up for fully month yet.
Meantime il is expected that numerous
amendments will be introduced and ac-
cepted, charging the free list TO the point
Of imposing tariff only on such articles
as ii was originally intended to protect
mainly sugar, tobacco, and rum. This
would not be breaking faith with the in
terests represented by Henry OXnard who
framed and forced through the House the
bill as il came TO the Senate With these
special interests protected the Republican
managers can demand large contribution
to The Mckinley campaign fund. With this
object in view, Mr.. Hanna felt called upon
to take young Senator Beverage into the
Vice Presidents room Wednesday and read
the riot act TO him because he came very
near 10 knocking all of the fat in the fire
by the introduction of his free trade
amendment 1t is said that the brilliant
young Hoosier now understands the harm
his amendment threatened and for that
reason he postponed the free trade speech
he was scheduled to make in the Senate
other people whose special business it is |
TO guess how the cat is going to jump in /
the Senate are betting heavily en- the adop- |
ton of the Foraker bill with the amend |
ments herein noted.