The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-28
Democrat Position.


So the Democrats cannot do anything
that mou.d nsaAe them appear 10 be
opposed to the omnibus bal, either by
omect vote or in the comnli tee. They
could not even vote to Icy the bill OF
the table without laying themselves open
TO crlLicism for the SAME thinS tnsy 50
censured The Republicans for dong in
1885, namely, promising to admit the ter
r.Lories and then not doing 1t.
Already the name OF Senator Jones,
Of Arkansas, the right-haud man of VII
liam Jennings Bryan, and Chairman Of
the national committee, is mentioned as
one Of those VINO has agreed not to sup
port the bill. After the fourth Of March
Senator Jones Wa be only a pr.N ate citi-
zen unless President Roosevelt decides
to make him one OF the lsrhmian Canal
Comm ssioners. The PRESIDENT Is op-
posed to the admission OF New Mexico
and Indian Territory, as they might rea-
sonably be expected to become Demo-
cratic States. and 1t would not be be-
coming for Jones to so against Roose-
welt when Roosevelt is thinking Of max
ing him q Lanal Commissioner. At the
same time i a vote were taken and
Senator Jones and. perhaps, one or two
of .44s close friends vo.ed against the
BIZ, uncornpl!mentary rema, ks would be
sure TO follow, particularly if Jones
This Is one OF the reasons assigned for
the desire on the part OF --4e opponents
OF the IA to keep quiet about the split
they are said to have brought about il
the ranks OF the Democlatc Senators.
Leaving the position OF the Democrats
and reve1 ting to the position of Sena tor
Quay, il may be said tnat if he adheres
10 his plan to hold up the Senate very
Interesting parliamentary situation will
result. To make his hold-up effective,
Senator Quay would have TO blcch the
appropria.ion bills. The Senators do not
care anything about the trusts Or the
other ordinary questions of legislation at
the short session. All they want to do
is to get the appropriations through and
so home. All the other measures that
are looked upon as OF vital importance
by thousands Of people. never bother the
Senate leaders in lac least. The supply
bis passed, the big men OF the Senate
consider their work done.
What i. May Mean.
But even these cannot pass if Senator
Quay insists upon a vote on has state
hood bill. Only the pension bill has gone
l..rougn the Senate so far, although one
third OF the session has b>en consumed.
This leaves an immense amount OF work
to be done and bat snort lime il:
which TO do it, even if no action is
taken In regard TO the canal bill or the
general staff and militia reorganization
bill, and it is obvious that II senator
Quay really means business he has a
fine opportunity to delay the work OF
the Senate until an extra session is nee |
essary for the passage of the appro-
priation bills.
OF course, it is rather an unusual thing
for single man to hold up the Senate,
and the longer man stays q member
OF that body the less likely he is to
attempt it, but Senator Quay knows his
business about as well as the next one
and Il he takes stand of the sort he
is contemplating it may be taken TO mean
that he feels sure OF a majority for his
bill.
On the other hand Senators Aldrich !
and allison, who are conducting the fight
against Quay, are very reSourcefui and
astute pair of pariamentarians. and 1t
may be that they will be able to Ind (
some way to defeat the Pennsyivanian. /
They are hard at work on the luke |
warm Democrats and It is thought they {
may find some way to let them out Of
the difficulty and at the same time pre- /