The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-27
Special to The Globe.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 26.-Con-
gresham Tawney is one of the most i'm
portant men now in the Cuban reel
procity fight. His Yes or NO will
swing the fate of battle.
The ways and means committee is short
one vote for the administration purpose
The score is to in favor of the Demo-
Gratis and insurgents. If the ways and
means committee could only get one more
vote they could report out the bill so
nicely drawn by Mr.. Payne. Nine Repub-
lican votes would make it a party meas
ure, but lacking one they cannot report
It out except with the help of Democrats
1t appears that Richardson and Nc
Lellan stand ready at any time to vote
with Payne and his Republican friends, but
leaders of the Republican majority can
hardly afford to accept Democratic as
sistance to override opposition in their
own party and with the aid of Democrats
begin tariff revision, which they them
selves have so StrenuouSly opposed.
Tawney, Babcock and Metcalf, of Cali
fornia, decline to vote for the 20 per cent
reduction bill. There is no hope Of NOV
ing Metcalf. He comes from a state
where the beet sugar interest is para
mount. Babcock owes nothing to Payne
and the others who fought his own tariff
revision plan, but the leaders did figure on
being able to control Tawney. With his
assistance, they figured they could pull
through the rule applying a gag and shut
ting off amendments.
They see no reason why Tawney should
be so obstinate, but Tawney evidently
knew what he was about and he has been
obstinate to some purpose. Just at pres
ent he can have anything he wants.
Brothers Payne, Dalzel and Grosvenor
would crawl on their knees to him from
AIo9u4 9ul 9W!ll qua re '9I0qM 'uoIuO
dves if that would induce him to yield
his point The sugar trust would give him
one of their medium sized factories and
the president would appoint him min
lister to the pleasantest country in Chris
tendon, if he would yield
The administration has been placed in
an awkward position. Party leadership
is threatened, the issues of the congress
slonal campaign are being spoiled and the
whole protective tariff system is placed
in jeopardy If the Cuban reciprocity bill
is reported by aid of Democratic votes
the insurgents will not scRupIe to vote
with the Democrats in support Of all
kinds of tariff revision amendments.
Hence these worried conferences, these
night sessions and these trips to the
White house. Just now all depends ON
Tawney.
1t is reported tonight-the report evil
IDENTIFY emanating from the sugar mem
bers of the ways and means committee
be reported out. In explanation it is de-
clared that Babcock is the man who has
come to ,--e aid of the administration
measure. Babcock could not be seen at
his home tonight, and neither confirma-
ton nor denial could be obtained.
In view of the changed condition Chair
man Payne has under consideration the
ACCESSIBILITY of calling special meeting
or the ways and means committee the lat
ter part of this week instead of waiting
until the regular meeting day, next
Wednesday, to pass the Cuban bill.
NO final determination has been reach
ed, however. although the return of Rep
resentatiVe GrOsVenor tomorrow probably
viii bring about an early arrangement.
For over an hour tonight the president
was engaged with Senator Plat. OF New
York, presumably regarding New York
appointments. Senator Aldrich, Of Rhode
Island was with the president 70" some
time. The senator is chairman of the
finance committee
Today Speaker Henderson was at the
White house for some time closeted with
the president, but the speaker declined TO
say anything for publication as to the
matters which brought him to the White
house As his visit followed close on the
conference with the Republican leaders
last night it is believed the Cuban re-
ciprocity question was talked over.