The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-12
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

Narrow Escnpe.-The passage OF
the Oxnardized Porto Rican bill by the
House yesterday was accomplished by a
margin much narrower than indicated by
the recorded, vote. It is not denied that
the majority OF eight by which the bill got
through represents. not the judgment or
the sentiment of the House, but merely
the overfhastering power of political or
ganizatiOh controlled by forces entirely
alien to the higher sense Of the men who
cast the majority Of votes. An analysis
of the final ballot shows that had all Of
the members of the House who are known
inferentially or positively to be opposed
to the far-reaching principles involved
voted as their Judgment and conscience
dictated the bill would have been defeated.
For example, three votes that undoubtedly
would have been cast against the measure
had the men who controlled them been
present would have reduced the majority
almost to the vanishing point. Reference
is made to Representatives Wheeler and
Stallings Of Alabama and Representative
Ridgely Of Kansas. The latter is Popu-
list and he voted against the original bill.
The excuse given for his nOn-attendance
yesterday and the unusual fact that he
was not paired against the bill was sudden
and unexpected illness. The other two
absent members are Democrats. Gen.
joe Wheeler. who is supposed to be still
a Democrat, is carried on the rolls of the
Army as a brigadier general; but there is
nothing to indicate that his connection
with the Army has changed completely the
complexion Of his political views. There
fore it is fair to account him an opponent
OF the scheme Of Imperialism contained in
the Porto Rican bill. 1t can be said in
all fairness that but for the leniency Of
his Democratic colleagues General Wheeler
long ago would have been dropped from
the rolls Of Congress and his seat been
declared vacant so that his Dem
ocratic constituency could have elect
ed somebody worthy to represent
them at Washington. Mr.. Stallings
has appeared In Washington only long
enough during the present session of Con
gress to claim and collect his mileage. He
is candidate for the nomination of Gov
ernor of Alabama and has not been here to
vote on any issue OF vital interest to his
party except the gold currency bill. I'm
mediately after voting against that meas
ure he FASTENED back to Alabama and has
been there ever since prosecuting his can
didacy for the gubernatorial nomination.
Representative Cooper OF Wisconsin. Chair
man Of the Insular Committee. is known
to be opposed specifically and generically
to the Porto Rican bill, but for the poor
sake Of keeping his party record
straight he voted with the majority yes
terday. The same can be said of Repre-
sentative Watson of Indiana. who made
pitiable spectacle of himself yesterday in
the House by his excuse for voting for the
bill. Hence. it is literal fact that had
the members of the House who for one
reason or another are opposed to the leg
islation voted their convictions the bill
would have been defeated. 1t is evident,
therefore, that to the overmastering power
of political organization, rather than to the
merits Of the measure, is due the passage
of a bill which has not yet been satisfac-
torily explained even to OutspOken Re
publicans in Washington, where the mar
row sentiment of partisan politics is
probably stronger than in any other com
munity.