The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-02-22
AN UNEASY FEELING.
House Republicans Anxious About
Fate of Porto Rican Bill

Washington, Feb. 21.-Again Tues
day there were but three speeches in
the house upon the Porto Rican tariff
bill. Five hours were consumed in
their delivery. Mr.. Hopkins (IllJ
spoke in support of the bill, and Mr..
NewIands (Nev.l and Mr.. Swanson
Wal in opposition to it. The speak
ers devoted themselves almost ex-
clusively TO the constitutional question
involved. and were listened to with at
tention. The republican leaders are
becoming nervous over the fate OF the
bill. They have only a majority of IA
over the opposition, whlch is soidly
opposed to the measure. Eight votes
from the republican side would there
fore defeat it, and there are from II
to Is republican votes in doubt. a
movement for a republican caucus IS
being agitated- and although no call
had been issued up TO the time of adj
journment, the general understanding
was that one would be held tonight.
The republicans reported to be opposed
to the bill are Mes srs- Mccall (Slass-l,
LfttIefeld (Me.J, Powers Cyt.l, TOmp-
kins On. VI. Cromwell co.,, LorImer
Iu.J, Heatwole (AIfnn-l Tongue Tore },
Loud (Cal-l, Jones and Cushman
(Wash-y and Crumpaeker CInd-l-
senate
Washington, Feb, sf--Discussion OF
the Philippine question was resumed
for q time IN the senate Tuesday,
Senator Kenny speaking against the
retention bv the United States of the
islands, and urging that the FihPinos
be aez1rtied the right to govern them
selves. After the passage OF - PEN
sion bills and number of bills on the
general calendar consideration was
resumed Of the Hawaiian government
bill. Some amendments were agreed
to but consideration of the measure
was not concluded
We Agreement Yet
Washington Feb. af.-The couferees
on the finance bill were In session sew
eral hours Tuesday, but it was an
nouneed at the adjournment that no
agreement had been reached upon
any point, although prospects were
that an agreement might be finally
reached. After the adjournment the
house conferees consulted leading
members relative to the bimetalEic
amendment adopted by the senate, TO
see If there would be any great OBJ
lection to allowing it TO remain part
OF the bill
The Maerum Case.
Washington, Feb. 21--The state de-
partment has completed preparations
for the reply to be made to the house
resolution inquiriug into the allega-
lions that ex-Consul Macrum's mail
had been opened by the British censor
at Cape Town. The answer viii be
sent TO the house to-day by the presi-
dent. as is customary with communi-
cations of the kind from the state de-
partment. IL viii show in brief that
the department has no official knowl-
edge whatever that there was any in
reference with the ex-consuls mail,
as he made no complaint To the de-
partment on the subject
The. Clark Case.
Washington, Feb. Ex-senator Clark
on Tuesday continued and completed
his testimony before the senate COM
uittee on elections, but his testimony
did not attract as much attention as
that Of other witnesses who were heard
during the day. The other witnesses
were Frank Corbett, of Butte, recalled;
z. G.. Day, who was the Clark leader on
the floor OF the Montana house of rep
resentatiyes, and John z. Welcome,
who was a general manager for Mr..
Clark. Mr.. Welcome did not take the
stand until late, and his examination
in chief was not completed when the
committee adjourned for the day. He
made general and specific denial of
all the allegations made by Whiteside
and others. Denials were made In re-
Spouse to questions by Senator Faux
ner, and the witness uniformly an
swered: Il did not" "No," or Moth
ing like it occurred" Mr.. Day admit
ted having accepted a present of S.
900 from Mr.. Clark, and said he under
stood that it was given as testimonial
and as compensation for his services.