The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-14
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP
The Programme CRnnr.ed-Aupar


The Programme Chnnged.-Appar-
emily cog has slipped in the Republican
machinery. Less than a week ago it is
known that the party managers had con-
cluded that the easiest way out of the en-
barrassment caused by the national in
sistence upon fair treatment for the Mica
ragua Canal enterprise was to permit the
House to pass the Morgan HEPBURN bill at
this session aud then have the Senate kill
1t This would have enabled the party to
defend its course in the campaign and lay
upon the Senate direct responsibility for
the defeat of the measure. This proposed
course found justification in the theory
that the people can be made to believe
anything and that no House member
would be made TO suffer for the failure OF
the party TO proclaim its position on the
lnteroceanic canal proposition. Proceed
ing upon this theory and in pursuance OF
the programme agreed to a week ago. Mr..
Hepburn yesterday asked unanimous con-
sent for May l to be set apart for consid-
Grafton of the Nicaragua Canal bill Up
bobbed the Hon. Theodore Burton of Cleve-
landmark Hanna's town-and objected.
VI course this put a stop to all further
proceedings. When month ago Mr.. Hep
burn asked unanimous consent for the
consideration of the bill Mr.. Burton OBJ
Jected on the plea that at that time
treaty Affecting the subject was then pend
ing in the Senate-the Hay Pauncefote
Convention. This was regarded as rea-
sonable excuse then. But the Hay Paunce-
fote Convention has been put to sleep, and
that cannot now be urged as the STUN
bling block in the way. unless it is to be
admitted that the administration is firmly
IN no nf vic n
Great Britain all of the essential points in
the silly old dispute over the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty. Mr.. Burtons surprising
conduct yesterday is being interpreted as
indicating this admission. He is too close
to Mr.. Hanna and the other machine man
ayers not to understand perfectly what the
party. as at present controlled, desires to
do in all matters of such Importance as
that involved in the Nicaragua Canal pro-
ject. 1t is thought that no further effort
Will be made by Mr.. Hepburn TO get his
bill before the House at this session Only
the day before Senator Morgan's effort TO
force the measure on the consideration of
the Senate was voted down by strict
party vote. Obviously the canal enter
prise will become a Democratic measure
before it is finally disposed of.
The Mclean Dinper.-It has been i'm
possible thus far for the sensationalists TO
make anything out of the dinner given at
his residence Thursday night by the Hon,
John Z. Mclean to his brother law and
sister. Admiral and Mrs. Dewey, and to
Mr.. and Mrs. Perry Belmont, of New York.
Careful enquiry has failed TO show that
politics had any part in the dinner. Evil
IDENTIFY the affair was social, without the
least bearing on the Admiral's Presiden-
tial candidacy. When the Admiral an
nounced his willingness to be elected
President nobody in the country expressed
greater surprise than Colonel Mclean In
deed. so shocked by the news was the
colonel that he threw up his hands when
the reporters bore to him what apparently
was the first Information he had received
of the important announcement. II is true
that Mr.. Perry Belmont has come out
boldly for the Admiral. and is in favor OF
the New York delegation going to the
Kansas City Convention sunhampered by
instructions. but this does not signify that
he would not have been entertained by
the McLsans IL he had not declared for
Dewey. The plain truth seems 10 be thai
the Belmonts came over to Washington on
pleasure trip and Colonel Mclean
thought to contribute 10 their pleasure by
inviting them TO meet I'm his elegant home |
the Admiral and Mrs. Dewey-a- privilege
that very few Americans can expect to en-
joy for while, al least or until the Adj !
miral has completed the statement of nis |
political views and purposes that he has
been preparing for publication since he an
nounoed his Willingness to be elected |
President 1t is not believed that Mr. Perry |
Belmont's espousal OF the Admiral's can 4
ddacy necessarily guarantees the big New |
York delegation for the famous sailor. Tins |
particular Mr.. Belmont. though member |
of Tammsny Hall. has not been in har |
mony with the organization for some time. |
His brother, the Hon. Oliver Hazard Perry |
Belmont is a candidate for second place |
on the ticket with Mr.. Bryan. and IL is |
said that he is the statesman Of the Bel |
mont family Besides. the last named Bel |
had much to do with holding the organiza-
ton in New York in line for Bryan and |
even If he were inclined 10 do So 1t is not |
believed he could now switch Tammany OF !
of the Bryan trolley. Therefore il seems !
safe to assert positively that |
there was no political significance what |
ever in the entertainment at dinner of the |
Perry Belm0nts by the Hon. John r. Nc |
Leans In fact. it is even held that there /
is no political significance whatever In the !
Perry Bemouts. They are supposed TO be |
too deeply engrossed with the social az /
fairs of the world to feel any interest in |
its politics.
4 Merited PromotiOn.-Preside Nc |
Kinlev has. perhaps, made no appoint I