Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-03-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
,pEo1AL ooRRFsPoSDENoE OF THU MONT Or

lu6 S6udU0 las uONOOCu OuO pdol
week to the consid Grafton of the bill
to promote commerce, popularity
known as the ship subsidy bill, and
the bill for the defence of the presi-
dent, the former of which is the reg
ular "order of business" and on
which a 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 Sena-
tor Fry and a speech by Senator Han
ma, whose plain, business like state
ment 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 repeti-
ton of oft-refuted arguments pres
ented by democrats when the bill was
considered by the last congress. SEN
ator Bacon has also argued against
the bill for the defence of the presi-
dent, 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 int eresting and
spirited debate on the bill providing
for the Substitution of the contract for
the salary basis in the management
of the rural free delivery. Party lines
have not been drawn in the contest
but much feeling has been displayed
and it is impossible to tell what will
be the outcome. The vote will take
place today and there is considerable
likelihood that the committee on
post offices and post roads will be in
structed to report a revised bill main
tanning the service on the salary basis.
Representative Newland of Nevada,
Williams of Mississippi, and several
other democrats have told me that
they favor the contract feature.
Representative Swanson, a prominent
democratic member, is the author of
the minority report which condemns
the change, and there are a large
number of republicans who support
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 a
WHOLE" said Mr.. Hedge, 81 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, congress has
merely appropriated money for the
service and has left it's expenditure
entirely at the discretion of the post
master 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 en-
ployment of carriers on regular sal
ary." Mr.. Hedge, by the way, is OPP
posed to any revision of the tariff and
confidently predicts that none will be
undertaken at this session of congress.
'The people of my state" he said, care
quite contented to let we'll enough
alone. We are enjoying exceptional
prosperity and desire no change"
The third caucus held by the repub
licans of the house on Thursday even
ing 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 ad
journed to meet again tomorrow
evening. When I saw Mr.. Tawney of
Minnesota, who is the leading spirit
of the opposition to the measure, he
said, eve are not particularly anxious
that the substitute bill which | offered
should be adopted. We are chiefly
concerned in preserving the traditions
and good faith of the republican party
The party has promised protection to
the beet sugar producers and the to-
! bacco growers and those promises
were made long before any promises
could possibly have been made to
Cuba, if any were made. If, however,
it is necessary to do anything for
Cuba, fact which personally doubt,
there will be no objection from the
members whose sentiments I voice,
provided it is done, not at the expense
of few industries but at the expense
of all the people. That is what my
substitute bill provides for and while
we will not push the measure we will
not accept the ways and means COM
mittee measure" So many rumors
had been circulated to the effect that
the president had receded from his
position that the United States was in
honor bound to do something for