Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-04-11

ton in the Senats-Capt. Christmas Ale.
cations Of Bribery Of Congressman Nay Not
Be Sustained Hanna Asks the President to
Pardon Kathbone-The Ship Subsidy Bill
Shelved for the Session.
tFrom our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, April 3, 1902.
For eight days, not counting the
four days recess beginning last Thurs
day, the Senate has discussed the anti
oleomargariue bill which comes to a
vote this afternoon. The amendment
of Senator Harris of Kansas, which
includes in the provisions of the bill
renovated butter" and all similar
butter substitutes, has been accepted
by Senator Proctor and will probably
be adopted by the Senate. 1t is re-
garded as very probable, however, that
it will be stricken out by the confer
ence committee. 1t was freely whis-
pered when this bill was up for con-
sideration in the House, that the
power which secured its passage was
an organization OF renovated butter
manufacturers who desired to drive
the Oleomargarine manufacturers out
OF business. An amendment which
included renovated butter, but which
WAS patiently unconstitutional, was
accepted by the House leaders but was
stricken out by the Senate committee.
Those Senators who are posing as the
friends of the farmer dare not vote
against Senator Harris amendment,
as to do 80 would be clear violation
of the interests of the farmers, but
they have it in their power to instruct
the Senate conferees to yield to the
wishes OF the House committee and
strike out the amendment in confer
ence, and there are many who believe
that they will do so.
Through the efforts of Senator PEN
rose, the Chinese exclusion bill has
been made the regular order following
the oleomargarine bill and Senator
Lodge is patiently waiting the consid.
Grafton OF the Philippine government
bill which will probably follow and
which will be attended with prolonged
debate. The Democrats have pre-
sented their views in regard to the Iu-
ture of the islands in minority re-
port which provides for the establish
ment OF peace and the negotiation, by
the United States, of treaties with for
eign powers which shall insure to the
islands freedom from foreign interven.
ton.
After passing the Appropriation bill
the House of Representatives took up
the Sundry Civil bill which was passed
yesterday. almost without amend
ment. The Senate bill for the inn
provement of the Revenue Cutter Ser
vice ia now the unfinished business.
On Monday, by a vote of IL TO 5,
the Ways and Means Committee
adopted the bill authorizing the Presi.
dent to grant 20 per cent. reciprocal
reduction OF tariff to Cuba. Repre-.
sentative Tawney placed the Republi-
can leaders in most disagreeable po-
sition by offering an amendment re-
moving the differential tariff from re.
fined sugar. As 10 we'll known, this
differentisl furnishes the major por-
ton of the enormous profits of the
Sugar Trust and its removal would
not only benefit the consumers by re-
ducing the cost of sugar, but would.
to some extent, dissipate the power of
that octopus power freely used to
the detriment of the beet sugar pro-
ducers. Facing the alternative of vot-
ing contrary to the interests of the
consumers and the beet sugar produce
ers on the one hand, and OF voting
against their friend. the Trust, on the
other, the Republicans were sorely
perplexed but Chairman Payne came
to their rescue and. without rhyme or
reason, decided that the amendment
WAS not in order. A similar ruling
will probably save the members of the
House when the bill comes up for
consideration there, as Mr.. Tawney
will again present his amendment.
When the Cuban reciprocity bill
gets to the Senate it will have to face
serious opposition. Senator Elkins
and Senator Burrows are both deter.
mined that it shall not pass and sew
enteen Democratic Senators will es-
pouse their cause. It is believed that
the House has delayed the passage OF
the measure until the Trust has &C.
cured options on all the sugar in Cuba
and its enactment at this late date
will serve merely to increase the
profits OF the trust. Senator Perkins
OF California tells me that the bill will
never pass the Senate. He refuses to
make public his figures, but it is
known that he has made q careful
canvass and he ought to know the sit
uation in the upper chamber. 1t will
take forty-five votes to defeat the
measure in the Senate and forty have
been pledged. Where Senator Per.
kins expects to secure the other five
votes is not known.
The investigating committee of the
House, appointed in response to the
resolutions of Representative Richard.
son, has not, so far, unearthed any
fraud in regard to the alleged bribery
by one Captain Christmas, whereby
Christmas claims that he promoted
the ratification of the Danish West
Indies treaty, and it is not anticipated
that any corruption will be discovered,
but the members of both parties are
glad that the charges are being inves.
tigated rs otherwise they might be
the basis for many unfounded rumors
impeaching the honor of the Congress
of the United States.
The efforts OF Senator Hanna to &C.
cure the interference of the President
with the sentence pronounced upon
the defaulter Rathbone, who has been
convicted of embezzlement by the Gu.
ban courts in connection with the IA
nous Cuban postal frauds, are re-
garded with great complacency by the
Democrats. Mr.. Hanna will, it is be.
lieved, be the candidate of Republican
politicians, for the Presidency two
years hence, and this effort on his
part is considered an evidence of the
kind Of government which the people