Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-03-21

terday, apropos of Senator Hale's an
nouncement to the newspaper men that
he believed that Congress would ad-
journ about the tenth of June, that the
policy of the republican steering COM
mittee was to avoid the consideration
of the many knotty problems which
confront it until after the election.
"They wish to prevent all further de-
bate on their actions" said the Sena-
tor. land with that end in view will |
permit liberal debate of the issues |
which are more or less non partisan
and will side track those which the
democrats seriously oppose. Then
there will be the appropriation bills to
be disposed of and they will occupy all
of the time until adjournment. think
it most probable that considerable time
will be devoted to the isthmian canal
problem but regard it as very doubt
full if any bill will be passed."
The Philippine problem is daily be-
coming more embarrassing to the re
publican party and, despite the efforts
of the republican press to present the
news of the islands in an alluring man
ner, the facts will not down. Repre-
sentative Slayden, of Texas. called my
attention to some of the figures one
day this week and eaid: lit is certain
ly remarkable that the people can be
led to believe there is either wisdom or
policy in paying out hundreds of thou
sands of dollars every year to maintain
standing army in the islands larger
then the entire army in the United
States before the Spanish war, and
receiving in return a 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 Philippines
while the people pay the expense of
maintaining peace so that the unfor-
tunate islanders will submit to the
farming process" "W hat would be
the policy if the democratic party were
| in power % / asked. "We would make
the Filipinos understand that if they
would stop fighting and organize a
government we would give Them their
independence in all internal affairs,
and, as soon as they developed suffici-
ent strength to warrant it. we would
give them absolute independence"
was Mr.. Slayden's reply.
Senator Morgan has determined to
report the Hepburn bill back to the
Senate without amendment and he told
me one day last week that he believed
it would pass, but Senator Hanna will
carry his fight for the Spooner amend
ment 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 Alabama because of
the latter's determination and makes
all kind of dire threats. That the
senators will treat the Senate to an
other Tlllman 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 pro-
cured harmony in the House on the
question of Cuban reciprocity and it is
expected that the Joint committee
which has been appointed to settle the
difference between the beet sugar men
and the party leaders will announce
the terms of agreement today. The
magnificent discipline of the republican
party has served it we'll in this issue,
although, as used by Speaker Hend-
erson and his lieutenants, it is tyranni-
cal to an extent far in excess of any
method ever adopted by "Czar2 Reed.
The House has passed the rural free
delivery bill after providing that the
rural carriers shall receive salary not
to exceed $500 per year. The postofice
appropriation bill has also passed. in
GLIDING provision for the rural deliv-
cry. Saturday was devoted to the
discussion or private bills and it is
hoped that the Ways and Means Com
mittee will be prepared at noon today
to report the Cuban reciprocity meas
ure.
Colonel Bryan received quite an ova-
tion when he appeared in the Speaker 3
lobby On Thursday. 1t was amusing
| to note the efforts of the newspaper
men to secure an interview but the
Colonel replied to us all with the same
words: 81 am member of the craft
myself now. you know, and I cannot
permit you to steal the thunder of the
Commoner. Read the Commoner if
you want democratic news"