The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-08
CAPITOL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

The Delay in the Taft Report
There has been good deal of comment
over the fact that, though sent to the
printer nearly two weeks ago, the report
of the Taft Philippine Commission was
long time in making its appearance on
the desks of the Senators. Among the
Democrats the opinion has been current
that the delay in publication of the docu-
ment was intentional. The report left the
hands of the printer only yesterday, but
this fact was not sufficient to allay the sus-
picion that IT had been held back for
good reason. Its appearance now is sup
posed to have been rendered necessary TO
avoid further comment and criticism.
The hardness in bringing out the re-
port is attributed to a desire on the part
OF the Administration and the supporters
| of the Ship Subsidy bill to keep out of the
way anything which might lead to dis
| cussion or give any plausible excuse for
laying aside their favorite measure. There
| seems no doubt that, with the information
| concerning the islands in their hands, the
| friends of the Spooner resolution will be
| inclined to debate the points, and the
| controversy once begun will soon be of
such public interest that it will be I'M
1 PooSipt lOT lTlenUS 10
| obtain consideration of the Subsidy bill.
Until forced to, 1t is the general opinion
| the Administration did not like to jeopar-
| die its favorite measure. 1t is bad enough
| 10 nave the Philippine report before the
Senate. What will the Administration do
| II the Cubans should finish their consti-
| tuition and send it 10 Congress? That is
a question propounded by many, and an
| swered by none. At least however, it
~ a Gs. had
Little Chance for a Dark Hor.e-
Although Representative Burkett of Ne
braska has personality that is striking
and distinct, he is frequently pointed cut
as the Representative from Bryan's old
| district" This is Mr.. Burkett's first term
| in Congress, although he was reelected
by handsome majority and is thought by
many to be sure of denomination by his
party, thus breaking a precedent in the
| First Nebraska district that no Repre-
| sentative shall have more than two terms
| In Congress. Mr.. Burkett is one of the
youngest members OF the House, hut he
| is modest and reserved. Although he is
known as one OF the best campaign ora
| tors in his State he has seldom obtruded
himsels upon the notice of his colleagues
| in Congress He has a strong. firm face
keen black eyes. and might easily pass for
relative of the late Democratic oandi-
| date for President. He has been men
| toned as one of those on whom the Ne
braska legislators nigh. have TO unite
in order to break the Senatorial dead
lock in that State. Whatever his admir-
ers may think of this contingency Mr..
Burkett evidently does not attach much
Importance to it. There will be two Re-
publican Senators from Nebraska he
arInv Tnty
sured of that. do not think that there |
is the slightest show in the world for a |
fusion man, whatever way the dice may |
fall. II you ask me what two men are |
going to be elected | shall tell you that |
am not indulging in prophecy, especially |
at such long distance from the scene of i,
action. Still. l believe that the strong |
men are going to win, and take no stock |
in any of these dark horse. theories. |
These little fiurrles and attempts to start |
stampede by throwing votes to ore can |
didate or another mean nothing. They |
cannot alter the real state of affairs. and |
have not by any means the significance |
they are given in the newspapers"
Night Session PInns-There is no |
doubt that every effort will be made by |
the Republicans TO carry out the schedule |
of night sessions which they began We'd
1t, they are not intending to let their |
bluff be called, whatever may be the |
tactics of the opposition. Among the Re
publican Senators, yesterday. there was
much chagrin evidenced that the session
of the evening previous had proved so IN
profitable. and. in a certain sense so dis
astrous. They admitted that il had been
demonstrated to them that they would be
required to keep in evidence at all times
practically their full force, and are now
taking measures to be able to do so. |
Noses are being carefully counted and it |
is not resulting in anything that can be
called encourage TO the supporters of the |
bill. There are q great many who can be
counted on to help out in support of the
measure when there is fair weather. but
attending night sessions Is quite differ
ent thing. a matter of discomfort and
something to be avoided II possible
Among the Republicans in the lobby
yesterday there was much condemnation
of the Democrats and their action in pre-
venting the Subsidy bill from coming up
at all at the night session. 1t was de-
nounced as the most fragrant hlibustering |
ever INDUCED In on the floor of the SEN
ate. and there were threats that the party |
would have 10 suffer for go deliberately |
blocking legislation. There was no secret
made, however. OF the fact that the move |
Vi 1GiuutidCS ihu DetH Uudue WIN |
complete success and that, having sue
ceeded once, might succeed again.
Knew But One Candidnte.-Repre-
sentative Crowley Of the Nineteenth ILL
nois district has long been a figure in his
part OF the Prairie State, though this is
his first term In Congress. He has been
in politics In one way or another for
many years and has with clock like regu-
larity received the vote of every Democrat
in his county every time he was a candi-
date. He has rather a peculiar constit-
uency. It is composed of white people.
with quite large proportion OF ilIterate
darkfes. who are, however. Mr.. Crowley's
particular supporters They are faithful
and have followed his progress through
the various steps of political life with
much interest. When he was nominated
for Representative there was great re-
joicing among his colored friends. The |
news Travelled through the country into
the backwoods, so to speak, and II did not
lose anything az 1t travelled. II was a
mighty high Office that Mistah Crowley
was gwine ter git the negroes said,
for they heard him talked about when
they came out from the woods and bought
things in the country stores. When cleo
ton time came. OF course they all trooped
in TO the polls 10 cast good Democratic
votes for Crowley. One old negro had his
own idea of what ''Mistah" Crowley was
going TO be elected to. When he was
asked Well Uncle, | suppose you are
going TO vote for Mr.. Bryan for Presi-