The evening times., 1900-03-20
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

fObAIlOhb NUIES AND GUSSlP. -
The BeVeridEe AmenJment.-F an
pears quite evident that II the Beyeridse
amendment to the Porto Rican Tarin bill
was approved or inspired by the White
House there will be a lively row over it
before the measure is finally disposed OF.
Chairman Cannon. Of the Appropriations
Committee made a speech in the House
yesterday which showed plainly that the
House members are convinced that their
only hope Of salvation lies in a resolute
adherence 10 every feature OF Porto Rica-
legislation initiated by them. If. there
fore. the President should be able TO bend
the Senate to his will as expressed in the
Beveridge free trade amendment il is not
improbable that the House will revolt
when the bill in its amended form is re-
turned to the south end of the Capitol
But there is no certainty either that Mr.
Mckinley wrote or approved the Beveridgr
amendment OF that even il he did. the Sen
ate can be brought around to it. 1t is
known that Senator Platt OF Connecticut
acting for the tobacco interests OF his
State. was quite as potent in forcing the
tariff policy upon his party as was Henry
Oxnard, who is using the liye-y Of the
Trust Of which he was once an officer and
is still large stockhoider. Senator Platt
Is now in Cuba. as chairman of a special
committee. and today Is looking into the
condition and prospects OF the tobacco in
dustTy in the Province OF Pinar del Rio.
The Senate caucus is not at all liable TO
adopt any definite course Of action until
Senator Platt returns, despite the fact that
the peace committee is supposed 10 be en-
deavcring 10 bring about an understanding
between the Northwest free traders and
the New England tariff advocates IL Is
thought that Of course the peace commit
tee VIII Sad ample excuse for postponiue
action until Senator Platt gets back. II
they should proceed without his consent
and adopt the Beveridge free trade amend
ment there would be trouble all down the
line for the Administration. On the whole
there is good reason TO believe. therefore.
that Senator Bcveridge's amendment Is not
an Administration measure. and that the
Indianan introduced IL In the hope OF quiet
ing the storm that has been raging furI-
ously IN his State ever since the Oxnard
bill was passed By the House
Don't Want Interference.-Chairm
Barnett. OF the Republican State Commit
tee internal Revenue Collector Sapp. Of
Louisville. and X. J. Hampton. prominent
Republican leader Of Winchester. Ky. have
been very busy since their arrival in
Washington yesterday. They claim to have
come here solely for the purpose Of con-
sulting the party managers in regard to the
time for holding the State convention for
the election OF delegates TO Philadelphia
This. OF course. is only a ruse for which
under the code of political ethics. politi-
clans always are 20 be excused Il is known
that the object Of their visit is to enlist
the active aid Of their party sympathiz-
ers in Washington In the troubles now be
setting the usurper Taylor al Frankfort
aud also 20 add materially 20 the defence
fund being raised by popular subscription
for the prisoners now in jail charged with
participation In the wretched conspiracy to
assassinate GoebeI Mr.. Hampton. who is
on particularly close terms with Taylor
declares with considerable warmth that
the Republicans DO not want the Federal
authorities to interfere in any way in Ken
tucky. The time was" said Mr. Hamp-
ton. when we needed aud asked for Fed
eral interference But that time has
passed. All we want now is for the Fed
eral Government TO let us severely alone
and permit us 10 fight out our difficulties
as we may see fit For the life Of me I
can't see how a blood conflict between
the organized forces Of the Republicans and
Democrats is 10 be sverIed. Governor Tay-
Tor Is not going 70 submit TO the decision OF
the partisan court Of appeals. which. to my
knowledge, already has its opinion written
in the contest case thus far in advance Of
the litigation reaching that tribunal When
the Democrats try to enforce the decision
OF the court Of appeals ousting Governor
Taylor the clash will come. Then We shall
ask all outsiders TO stand aside and allow
us a free Ia nd 20 fight our battle IN our
own way. The Republicans OF their State
do not propose TO have their State Missis-
sippized. II seems certain that We shall
have to fight and die for our liberties. and
this We have made Up our minds TO do"
Cable II HarnIess.-A great deal Of