Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-01-24

1t Comes Up for Consideration - LODGES
Philippine Tariff Bill-The Canal Projects
First Gun for Tariff Revision Political
Drift.
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 1902.
awe are engaged in the unholy Of
flee of crushing a Republic" were the
words with which the venerable Sena-
tor from Massac husetts startled his
complacently self-satisfied colleagues
on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday.
They were followed by a severe ar
raignment OF the course OF the admin.
istration in the Philippine Islands.
Among other things, Senator Hoar
said that he had heard OF the investi-
CATION OF proceeding which if true
has covered with foul blot the flag
which we all love and honor" He
urged upon his colleagues the advisa-
bility of appointing an investigating
committee to which Senators and
people could appeal for the verfcation
or reputation OF some of the frightful
stories which were being brought back
from the islands by soldiers and civili-
ans. The Senator sought to relieve,
from the responsibility OF a course
which might bring odium upon the
administration, his colleague, Senator
Lodge, but the latter, apparently fear.
full Of entrusiing so important mat
ter to a committee not as thoroughly
in touch with the executive branch OF
the government as is his own, protest.
ed so vigorously that Senator Hoar
finally yielded and the resolution was
referred to the Philippines Committee.
Speaking on the subject last night,
Senator Lodge said that he did not
imagine that any report on the reso.
luton, which calls for an investigation
of the war in the Philippines. would
be made, although he admitted that
for the general information of his
committee" Governor Taft might be
asked to appear before it and explain
the needs of the islands. Whether
Senator Lodge was perfectly frank in
the matter is not known, but another
member OF the Philippines Committee
assured me that the public had not
heard the last of Senator Hoar's reso-
luton and that it was likely to precip-
itate bitter fight in the Senate later
on. He also intimated that it might
be necessary to send a subcommittee
to the Philippines as soon as Congress
adjourned in order that the commit.
tee might know for itself the real
status of affairs. Senator Carmack OF
Tennessee said, after the Senate ad-
journed, that the Democrats had in.
tended to introduce a resolution SINH
lar to that introduced by Senator
Hoar, that he was fearful that the
Philippines COMMITTEES would fail to
report on the resolution, but that the
Democrats would bring the matter up
on the floor OF the Senate and that a
state OF affairs most embarrassing to
the administration was likely to de-
velop. There are a number of Con-
gressmen who have been to the Phil
ippines and, while they have held
their fire for an opportunity, it is
bound to blaze sooner or later. Some
OF the Democrats believe that the
basis OF the next campaign will be
laid in the Senate when this matter
comes up for discussion.
To-day Senator Lodge will report
his Philippine tariff bill and Senator
Culberson will make a vigorous attack
on its provisions. He will receive the
support Of practically the entire Dem.
ocratic side as we'll as of Senator
Mitchell OF Oregon, who told me last
night that he favored free trade with
the Philippines because of the com.
mercial advantages which would re-
suit to the entire Pacific coast. An
effort will also be made to attach to
the Philippine bill provision for re-
ciprocal relations with Cuba. Sena-
tor Mason is doing yeoman's work for
the latter cause and on Tuesday deliv.
cred Q speech on the general subject
OF reciprocity, concluding with the
words. nothing can excuse us from
honorable and fair trade with Cuba.
We paid a mighty price in blood and
treasure for the change Tin Cuba) and
the American conscience will demand
that our relations with Cuba must
close upon the same lofty plane upon
which they began"
The isthmian canal has made little
progress during the past week. Sena-
tor Morgan has examined and cross
examined NJ. Lampre and yesterday
told me that he was Through with
him." The venerable Senator from
Alabama has not changed his prefer.
ence for the Nigaraguan route, but he
failed to demonstrate that there was
any connection between the trans
continental railroads and the Panama
company, and the Panama route has
made many friends. While compare
lively few OF the Senators have salts
fed themselves that the latter is the
best route, enough have decided that
it demands further consideration to
prevent the committees reporting, al
though Senator Morgan said yester-
day that he was ready to do 40. Even
If the Senator succeeds in converting
his committee to his views the matter
will be extensively discussed on the
floor Of the Senate, and have heard
rumors Of Congressional Committee
being sent to the isthmus to investi-
gate for themselves as soon as the ses.
sion 10 over.
5. The first gun in the fight for tariff
revision was fred on. the 18th when
Representative Babcock introduced
his bill for the reduction of the Ding
ley tariff on iron and steel. The bill
is very carefully drawn and is calcu.
lated to meet the objections of all ra-
tional protectionists. Only the ex-
tremists can seriously object to it and
it may prove to be the entering wedge
that will split the majority in House.