West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-13

the Michigan delegation, on which
Mr.. Babcock had counted as an ally,
declined to vote with him, and con-
sequently he determined to abandon
his project for the time, and has
since devoted himself to the organi-
cation of those Republicans who de-
sire a revision of the tariff at this
session. Whether the autocracy of
the Reed rules and the vigor Of the
party whip will be sufficient to sup
press the "schism," as it is called
by gentlemen of the Henderson
DGlzell school, remains to be SEEM
but unless the subject of reciprocity
with Cuba is soon disposed of it is
safe to say that they will not.
/ / /
Cuba is another "thorn in the
flesh" of the leaders. The third eau
Gus on the subject, held Monday
evening, was productive of no re-
suits, and another will be held this
evening. The President refuses to
recede from his original position,
that something must be done for
Cuba, and Gen. Grosvenor of Ohio,
has become a warm advocate of the
Ways and Means Committee bill,
which grants 20 per cent reciprocal
reduction on Cuban imports. Mr..
Roosevelt is threatening to send a
special message to Congress on the
subject, although if he does, it will
be against the advice of his friends,
who fear that it would have a ten
dency to make the opposition even
more obstinate and might even in
jure his chances for denomination.
Senator Rawlins of Utah, told me
the other day that while he had not
Investigated the subject as he in
tended to before the matter came up
in the Senate, he was certainly sus-
picious of the vigorous advocacy of
Cuban reciprocity which is being
displayed by newspapers which have
always heretofore been the friends
of the trusts, and he was at loss to
understand how the Cubans them
selves could have produced the
widespread sentiment which there
seems to be in favor of concessions
to the island.
TIT
The Senate has sent to the Presi-
dent the bill providing for a perma-
nent Census Bureau, but Mr.. Roose-
welt has expressed disapproval of
the section which includes in the
civil service all of the clerks now
employed by the Bureau, not more
than one-third of which will be re-
tanned in the permanent organiza-
ton. He has so far refused to sign
the measure, and has even stated
that he felt inclined to veto it, al
though it not believed that he
will yield to the inclination.
I I I
On Monday, Senator Frye COM
menced his argument in favor of the
ship subsidy bill, and the measure is
still under consideration. Several
Democratic Senators will present
the views that lead them to oppose
the measure, butthey will not adopt
obstructive tactics, and there is lit
tie doubt that it will pass the upper
chamber. The Senate has also
passed the irrigation bill and has
sent it over to the House, where il
may not receive as favorable con.
sideration
1T
The House Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads has reported
bill providing that hereafter the
routes of the free delivery service
shall be let by contract instead Of
being covered by salaried carriers.
and although this was voted for bv
a large majority Of the Committee.
the minority report, prepared by
Mr.. Swanson Of Virginia, has re.
ceived considerable support in the
House. Mr.. Swanson told me yes
terday that he considered the pas.
sage Of the bill would be a grave
mistake. "Great responsibility
said Mr.. Swanson, "rcsts upon the
carriers Of rural routes, and their
personality is matter Of great inn
portance 20 the residents Of the dis.
tricts. In the first place, the con.
tract system would result in securing
thc'cheapcst class Of men and cquip.
ment The prices bid would be too
low to secure men Of high grade.
BY the provisions Of the bill there
would be no permanent tenure. as
either the government or the carrier
could cancel the contract on thirty
days notice This would. Of itself.
initiate against the efficiency Of the