The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-03-21

The question OF so amending the
constitution as to permit Of the elec-
ton OF senators by the people seems
TO have taken new lease Of life
during the past week in Washington
and is being actively discussed by
the democrats in lobbies and COM
mittee looms. Colonel William ].
Bryan spent Thursday at the Cap
itol and warmly advocated the
change, which may have added to
the interest taken in the subject,
though the agitation had begun be-
fore Mr. Bryan arrived. With a
view to learning the actual status Of
the movement made limited
canvass Of the situation yesterday
and obtained the following opinions :
Senator Rawlins, of Utah, said
that he was heartily in favor Of the
proposed change and believed it had
better opportunity Of being adopt
ed at this session than ever before
"If it is not adopted at this ses-
sion, however," said the Senator,
81 believe there is considerable
likelihood of its being made party
issue in the next compaign." Sen
ators Culberson and Bailey, Of Tex
as, both expressed themselves as
strongly in favor of it. Senator
Vest, OF Missouri, is unconditionally
opposed to it. Senator Jones, OF
Arkansas, a. is we'll known, is COM
mitted to il, as is Senator Berry, al
so of Arkansas, and both the sem
ators from Tennessee. Senator
Clay, Of George, said he had dis
cussed the matter with Colonel
Bryan, and that he hoped to see the
amendment adopted. Senator
Clark, Of Montana, said he was
committed to it, and SO did Senator
Burrows, of Michigan. Senator
Morgan, Of Alabama, refused to ex
press en- opinion. Should the
amendment pass the Senate It
would be promptly adopted by the
House. Mr.. Richardson, the dem
ocratic leader, told me all the dem
ocrats would vote for it, and num-
Der of republicans would also. "It
would make the strongest kind Of a
party ISSUE" said democratic
member, "and l earnestly trust it
will be adopted as SUCH"
A democratic senator told me yes
terday, apropos Of Senator Hale's
announcement to the newspaper
men that he believed that congress
would adjourn about the tenth Of
June, that the policy Of the repub-
lican steering committee was to
avoid the consideration Of the many
knotty problems which confront it
until after the election. "They
wish to prevent all further debate
on their actions" said the Senator,
land with that end in view will per-
NIT liberal debate on the issues
which are more or less non-partisan,
and will track those which the
democrats seriously oppose. Then
there will be the appropriation bills
to be disposed Of and they will oc-
cupy all Of the time until adjourn
ment. | think it most probable
that considerable time will be de-
voted to the Isthmian canal prob
lem. but l regard it as very doubt
full if any bill will be passed.
The Philippine problem is daily
becoming more embarrassing to the
republican party, and, despite the
efforts Of the republican press to
present the news Of the islands in
an alluring manner, the facts will
not down. Representative Slay-
den, Of Texas, called my attention
to some Of the figures one day this
week and said, "It is certainly re-
markable that the people can be led
to believe there is either wisdom or
policy in paying out hundreds OF
thousands of dollars every year to
maintain standing army in the IS
lands larger than the entire army in
the United States before the Span
Iish war, and receiving in return a
trade amounting to few paltry
thousands. The only people who
are receiving any benefit, or who
will do so in the future, are certain
capitalists who will secure franchises
and land grants, which will enable
them to farm the Philippines, while
the people pay the expense Of main
tanning peace, SO that the unfortu-
nate islands will submit to the farm.
ing process. "What would be the
policy if the democratic party were
in power?' | asked. 1--WE would
make the Filipinos understand that
liz they would stop fighting and or
ganize a government, we would give
them their independence in all in
ternal affairs. and, as soon as they