The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-07
wEDNEsDAY. MARcH Z. 19oO.
How the called Jnde Minces.

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 w.. they hope
may operate 20 disguise the hideousness
of the Payne inquity and render il less
nauseous TO the country; but, so far, Meth
ing very promising has been developed in
consequence. The Davis amendment. de-
signed to Placate free trade Minnesota. and
10 catch Democratic Senators asleep. has
fallen rather fat Perhaps the most
gaudy plan yet evolved from the aching
brain Of a terrified Administration is one
to give Porto Rico free trade IN everything
but the commodities controlled BY the
trusts. For present purposes il may be 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. obacco. 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 subordnated to the inter
ests of the trusts while the Republican
party remains in power. would not make It
a good campaign record o.. document Tor
Mr.. Mckinley.
The truth is that all efforts t. evade the
direct issue precipitated by the Payno
Porto Rican Tariff bill re-. fcHed. The
Democrats i'm the Senate are not 20 be Iur-
cd from the unassailable position that the
plot 10 tax the island for The benefit OF
the trusts is not only monstrous in itself.
but is in open and fragrant violation OF the
Constitution. Their opporeats do not rel
ish the idea Of the in. enslng debate. The
latter have a bad cause which they and
their President have frightfulIy mfsman-
aged to defend; and they realize that they
have the humane and. law-abidiug senu-
ment cf the American people against them
Yet the Republican organization dare not
turn back now. If it cannot regain public
respect and confidence it will try to be
contented with the money &C its masters.
and trust to the campaign tactics Of 1896 to
pull Il through.
That probably will prove a poor depend
ence. Conditions have changed The
money combination of New York and Lon
don no longer fears bimetallism. That
matter is settled for five years to come
al least. One prolific source Of political
revenue is therefore cut Of. Oil, sugar.
tobacco. rum, and a few other protected
interests can be depended upon for cash.
and the Ship Subsidy bill. the Hay Paunce-
tote Treaty. il ratified. and perhaps a
subsidized Pacific cable company. would
help considerably. But. after all is said
and done, il may well re doubted that there
will be enough wealth at headquarters
10 control another Presidential election.
Consciousness OF such things renders the
Republican managers extremely nervous
at the present time. and painfully sensi-
tive 70 the unfavorable public opinion they
have created regarding the recent course
OF the party and its Administration. Ap-
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
resentment on the sixth day OF November
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