Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1902-03-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.)

l. hho" ~ tiiC oiilb Dill,
and the bill for the defense of the
President, the former of which is
the regular ''order of business"
and on which q vote will be taken
on the 18th, inst. The discussion
so far has been characterized by an
able presentation of the merits of
the measure by Senator Frye and a
speech by Senator Hanna, whose
plain, business-like statement of
the advantages to be derived by it
was exceptionally forcible. Senator
Clay, of Georgia, opposed the bill
in speech which lasted four hours
but which was largely a repetition
of the oft-refuted arguments pre-
sented by the Democrats when the
bill was considered by the last Con-
gress. Senator Bacon has also
argued against the bill for the de-
fense of the President, claiming
that the measure is an extension of
the law regarding treason and
therefore outside the province of
Congress.
The House of Representatives
has been the scene of an interesting
and spirited debate on the bill pro-
viding for the substitution of the
contract for the salary basis in the
management of the rural free de-
livery. Party lines have not been
drawn in the contest but much feel
ing has been displayed and it is
impossible to tell what will be the
outcome. The vote will take place
to-day and there is considerable
likelihood that the Committee on
Postof1ices and Post Roads will be
instructed to report a revised bill
maintaining the service on the sal
airy basis. Representative New
lands of Nevada, Williams of Mis-
sissippi, and several other Demo
Gratis have told me that they favor
the contract feature. Representa-
tive Swanson, prominent Demo-
cratic member, is the author of the
minority report which condemns
the change, and there are a large
number of Republicans who sup
port his view of the matter. Among
the latter is Representative Hedge
of Iowa, who tells me that while
he at first approved of the bill as
reported he now favors a change.
Gas whole" said Mr.. Hedge, 'I
regard the bill as a distinct advance
for the cause of rural free delivery.
1t defines it and brings it down to- a
system whereas, heretofore, Con-
gress has merely appropriated
money for the service and has left
its expenditure entirely at the dis
cretiOn of the Postmaster General.
There is no doubt but that the bill
will carry when it comes to a vote
though it seems quite probable that
it will be so amended as to provide
for the employment Of carriers ona
regular salary" Mr.. Hedge. by
the way, is opposed to any revision
of the tariff and confidently pre-
diets that none will be undertaken
at this session of Congress. "The
people of my state" he said, "are
quite contented to let well-enough
alone. We are enjoying exception
al prosperity and desire no
change"
The third caucus held by the
Republicans of the House on
Thursday evening did not result in
any decision on the question of
doing something for Cuba. The
floor, throughout the evening, was
occupied by the friends of the Ways
and Means measure but no vote
was taken and the caucus adjourn
ed to meet again tomorrow even
ing. When / saw Mr.. Tawney, of
Minnesota, who is the leading
spirit of the opposition to the meas
ure, he said. "We are not parti-
cularly anxious that the substitute
bill which | offered should be ad-
opted. We are chifley concerned
in preserving the traditions and
good faith of the Republican party.
The party has promised protection
to the beet sugar producers and the
tobacco growers and those promises
were made long before any promis-
es could possibly have been made
to Cuba, if any were made. If,
however it is necessary to do any
thing for Cuba, a fact which per-
sonally / doubt, there will be no
objection from the members whose
sentiments | voice, provided it is
done, not at the expense of few
industries but at the expense of all |
the people. That is what my sub
stitute bill provides for and while
we will not push the measure we
will not accept the Ways and
Means Committee measure. So
many rumors had been circulated |
to the effect that the President had |