The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-10
Eight Republicans Determined to
others May Join Them.
TELEGRAMS TO ABSENTEES
GREAT EFFORT TO SECURE FULL
ATTENDANCE IN THE HOUSE..
New Pairing System Has Changed CAL
culatiOns of the MajOrity-Meet-
ing tn BE Held Tonight.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, April 9.-The Republican
leaders of the House have not quite de-
cided whether they will bring the Porto
Rico bill up next Wednesday or not. They
think they will, but they have not commit
ted themselves irrevocably to this date
Their hesitation is due to the doubt that
hangs about the result-a doubt that has
developed a feeling very like fear in the
bosoms of Speaker Henderson and the
other House leaders who are responsible
for the situation. Their programme is to
ask the House to concur in all the Senate
amendments and so settle the whole mat
ter by single vote. They are not so sure
as they would like to be that they can
command a majority for the proposition,
but, in the language of the street, they are
''up against it" and must play the game to
the end, whatever the outcome may be.
There are at least eight Republicans who
will vote against the bill long as there
is any tariff between Porto Rico and the
United States. There are persistent ru-
mors that there several who voted for
the bill in the House who now propose TO
vote against 1t. If there are any such they
are careful TO remain under cover as "A
means of averting the exercise of pressure
from the White House and from the
speaker and his lieutenants on the floor to
stand by the measure. This pressure is
even more strenuous now than when the
bill was on its halting progress through
the House in the first instance.
The Democrats, under Richardson's lead,
will vote against the bill more solidly than
before. The Senate amendments confning
the tariff in it's practical operations TO ar
ticles coming from Porto Rico only, and
limiting its duration 10 two years or less. do
not commend themselves to the two men,
bers from Louisiana-Davey and Meyer
who voted for the bill before. They see little
in it for the sugar growers of that State,
and II is now reported they will either vote
against the bill or absent themselves with
out a pair. De Vries. of California, is un-
derstood to have weakened in his support
of the amended measure. This leaves Sib-
ley, of Pennsylvania, as the only member
elected Democrat certain to vote for
the bill on the motion to concur in the
Senate amendments. and he is no longer
regarded as much of Democrat.
Chairman Cooper and other members of
the House committee on. insular affairs
insist on having reasonable time in which
TO debate the civil government features
which the Senate tackled on the House bill.
AS this committee was created for the pur-
pose of originating this class of legislation
it's members naturally resent the taking of
the matter out of their hands in this un-
ceremonious manner If the speaker and
his lieutenants were sure of a large ma
jority for the bill they would ignore the
insular affairs committee but in the un-
certain. condition that prevails they are
mighty apt to treat il with some consid-
Grafton, though with just as little as pos
sible, just enough to get their votes for
the motion to concur. but no more.
The situation is regarded as extremely
unfortunate by all Republicans who possess
the ability to look ahead and who are at
all informed as to the feeling and senti-
ment of the country toward the proposed
tariff for Porto Rico. The only thing that
will save the bill is the party argument
that the Republicans of the House and
Senate have gone far that ii will be
safer to go further--to go the whole
length-than To go back. This argument
may again drag the bill through a reluct-
ant and doubtful House. If this appeal
does not save the Porto Rican tariff moth
ing will, for IL cannot stand on its own
merits.
Representative Overstreet introduced to-
day bill In the House TO pay Rufus NeaIl,
Company G. Tenth Illinois Infantry So 156,
for services rendered TO the government in
the engineer department at Nashville,
Tenn, from July. 1868. TO April. 1866. Also
bill TO increase the pension of John Kin
sic. Company b. Forty-ffth Pennsylvania
Veteran Volunteers to $35 monthly.
Representative Hemenway introduced to-
day bill To pension Rebecca j. Hall at
s12 monthly for services as an army nurse
Senator Fairbanks's bill TO increase the
pension of Henry III. Blockson. Company
+. Observation-Disclosures Indiana volun-
teers, was to-day reported favorably TO the
Senate with an increase TO $50 monthly.
ABSENTEES NOTIFIED.