The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-19
REPUBLICAN FREE TRADER


1t is no doubt the intention of Repre-
sentative Eabcock of Wisconsin,, to in
troduce in the next congress his bill pro.
Viding for taking the duty off iron and
steel. Since the late congress adjourned
he has been receiving letters from all
parts of the country, written by leading
men in all parties complimenting him
for the stand he has taken, and predict.
ing that the time is rapidly coming when
TIE Republican party win be compelled
to adopt the Babcock position. One Of
these letters is from Boss" Shepard, the
man who is responsible for the fact that
Washington is now the most beautiful
city on the continent
1t is said that not a member of the
ways and means committee of the house,
as at present organized, save the Demo-
Gratis and Mr.. Paddock himself, is in
favor of the Babcock bill, and that the
Republican members of tho senate COM
mittce on finance are also in strong op-
position. but times may change, and if
they do these men will change with
them.
NORTHROP NOT APPOINTED YET.
Eastern newspapers continue to state
that President Northrol1 will be appoint
Ell q member of the Louisiana purchase
exposition, although it is believed the
oIIucttAOiA lids no. CJdnSSQ SlIlC6 idSI
week. President Mckinley will return
tomorrow morning, and he will probably
take the matter up at once. Congress-
man Tawney is still here, and he will
stay until the matter has been disposed
Of. Senator Nelson has also interested
himself in the matter and so has Con-
gresham McCleary. These gentlemen
With Mr. Tawrey will bear down hard
on the president tomorrow in Mr..
Northrops behalf
THE PENSION OFFICE.
The latest semi official utterance re-
garding the pension commissioner mat
ter is that even if Commissioner Evans
should resign. it will not be until after
the fire of his enemies has ceased. 1t is
given out definitely that he will not
withdraw under fire. After the men who
have been annoying him have quit, it is
barely possible that the president may
offer him something equally as good"
aud that It Will be accepted. But this
IS not certain. The president is a stanch
defender of the pension policy of Mr..
Evans.
INTER OCEAN1C CANAL
Congress having given President Nc
.Kinley free hand in Cuba and the Philip
pines, administration senators still in
Washington now talk of giving him
discretionary authority to acquire either
the Nicaragua or Panama canal route
Several prominent members of the SEN
ate foreign relations committee favor the
idea, Notwithstanding that the bill which
passed the house and was pending before
the senate during the session just closed
provided for the adoption of the Near
aguan project.
Secretary Hay has requested the Co.
lomhian minister to submit a formal
memorandum embodying the verbal pro-
posals regarding American acquisition Of
the Panama canal route, which he SUP
mitted some days ago.
The Nicaraguan minister and the Costa
Rican minister both of whom have
worked energetiCally to promote the
Nicara guam canal, will leave next week
for their respective countries and will
return charged with new instructions
relative to concessions their governments
are willing to make to the United States.