The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-03-21

OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., March 18th.

WASHINGTON, d. C., March Eth.
amending the constitution as to permit of
the election of Senators by the people
seems to have taken Il new lease of life
during the past week in Washington and
is being actively discussed by the demo-
Gratis in Hobbies and committee rooms
Colonel William J. Bryan spent Thursday
at the Capitol and warmly advocated the
change, which may have added to the in
terest taken in the suhi' ct, though the
agitation had begun before Mr.. Bryan
arrived. With view to learning the
actual status of the movement | made a
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 a better oppo:-
tunity of being adopted at this session
than ever before. IF it is not adopted at
this session, however," said the Senator,
II believe there is considerable likelihood
of its being made a party issue in the next
campaign" Senators Culberson and
Bailey, of Texas, both expressed them
selves as strongly in favor of it. Senator
Vest, of Missouri, is Internationally op-
posed to it. Senator Jones, of Arkansas,
as is we'll known, is committed to it as is
Senator Berry, also of Arkansas, and both
the Senators from Tennessee. Senator
Clay, of Georgia, said he had discussed
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 Bur
rows, of Michigan. Senator Morgan, of
Alabama, refused to express an pinion.
Should the mendment pass the Senate it
would be promptly adopted by the House.
Mr.. Richardson, the democratic leader.
told me all the democrats would vote for
it and number of republicans would
also. 1T would make the strongest kind
of party ISSUE" said democratic MEM
Der. land l earnestly trust it will be
ado pted as SUCH
A democratic Senator told me yesterday,
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 re-
publican steering committee was to avoid
the consideration of the many knotty
problems which confront it until after the
election. They wish to prevent all fur
ther debate on their actions said the
Senator, land with that end in view will
permit liberal debate of the issues which
are more or less bipartisan and will
side. track those which the democrats seri-
ously oppose Then there will be the APP
preparation bills to be disposed of and
they will occupy all of the time until adj
journment. think it most probable that
considerable time will be devoted to the
isthmian canal problem, but l regard it as
very doubtful if any bill will be passed
The Philippine problem is daily becom-
ing more embarrassing to the republican
party and, despite the efforts of the repub-
lican press to present the news of the
islands in an alluring manner, the facts
will not down. Representative Slayden,
of Texas. called my attention to some of
the figures one day this week and said,
at is certainly remarkable that the people
can be led to believe there is either wis
dom or policy in paying out hundreds Of
thousands of dollars every year to main
tain standing army IN the islands larger
than the entire army in the United States
before the Spanish war, and receiving in
return trade which amounts 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 Philip
pines while the people pay the expense of
islanders will submit to the farming pro-
cess" Nv hat would be the policy if the
democratic party we're in power:" l asked.
"We would make the Filipii.os understand
that if they would stop fighting and or
ganize government we would give them
their independence in all internal affairs,
and, as soon as they developed sufficient
strength to warrant it. we would give
them absolute independence" was Mr..
Slayden's reply.
All last week the Senate discu ssed the
ship subsidy bill. Senator Vest delivere d
most able speech on the subject exposing
the faliacies of the republican reasoning
with scathing logic. Senator Depew
supported the measure, as did also Sena-
tor Foraker, but the latter's support was
half hearted. He admitted that he was
opposed to the bounty system and would
greatly prefer helping the shipping inter-
ests by discriminating duties, but stated
that he would vote for the bill because the
majority favored it.
Senator Morgan has determined to re-
port the Hepburn Lill back to the Senate
without amendment and he told me one
day last week that he believed it would
pass, but Senator Hanna will rry his
fight for the Spooner amendment on to the
floor of the Senate and the contest will be
bitter one. The Senator from Ohio is
very angry with the Senator from Ala
bama because of the latter's determination
and makes all kind Of dire threats. That
the Senators will treat the Senate to an
another Tillman- McLaurin episode is
hardly to be expected, although it is
known that they nearly came to blows at
one of the committee meetings and are
very irascible old gentlemen.
The constant and severe application of
the republican whip has about procured
harmony in the House ON the question of
Cuban reciprocity and it is expected that
the joint committee which has been APP
pointed to settle the diffe. ence between
the beet sugar men and the party leaders
will announce the terms of agreement to-
day. The magnificent discipline of the
republican party has served it well in this
issue, although, as used by Speaker Hen
derson and his lieutcnants, it is tyranical