Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-05-23

so with the Republican show.
The cardinal principal of the Repub-
lican party is: Equal rights to none,
and special privileges to all.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent
Washington, May -"There is ev
cry indication that the Hon. "Marc"
Hanna will carry the sobriquet, Sub
sidy Hanna" during the rest of his
political career. Only twice during the
Fifty-seventh Congress has the junior
Senator from Ohio made a speech in
the Senate, once when he vigorously
advocated the ship subsidy bill, and
once, this week, when he rose up to
support bill which granted a subsidy
estimated at 81, 900, 900, to the Penn
syIvania Railroad Company. This
bill, which provides for Union Ry.
Station" in Washington, grants to the
company named funds and concessions
which the attorneys Of the company
themselves admit to be worth 81, 700,-
900. The whole history of Congress
siOnal legislation in which the company
named has been interested is of the
most savory character but this bill is
the most infamous of all the measures
so far passed and the circumstances
which attended its passage are, to say
the least, peculiar. On Wednesday
| evening there was manifest very gen.
| eral determination to return the bill
to the committee which framed it and
vote at that time would have I'M
doubtedly so resulted but the friends
Of the bill secured the postpenement
of the vote until Thursday. What hap
pened in the interim cannot ascertain
but on Thursday morning, at an hour
when ordinarily but few senators are
present, practically all were in their
seats and by an almost straight party
vote the bill was passed. Senator Hans
brough, who had warmly urged the
adoption OF substitute which prOvid-
ed for municipal ownership of the de-
pot, voted against the measure. After
the vote was taken it was everywhere
remarked that Senator Hanna was re-
gaining his former leadership. While
the Department of Justice is proceed
ing in the courts against the north.
western railway Merger" and against
the Beef Trust, the republicans in
Congress are practically ratifying
merger of the Pennsylvania and Balti-
more Y Ohio lines and granting a sub
sidy of $1,000, 900 to the railway trust.
Here is a magnificent opportunity for
the President to exercise his power of
veto to the great embarrassment of his
political rival, Hanna, and at the same
time prove his sincerity in his opposi-
ton to trusts. It should be remem-
bered that, of the amount stated, a
large portion will be paid directly out
of the United States Treasury and the
taxpayer will have Subsidy Hanna
to thank.
The Philippine debate is not yet
concluded but Senator Dubois has
agreed that, beginning today, the
democratic senators will be prepared
to speak continuously until the discus
sion is closed. Senator Spooner will
speak for the republicans and Senator
Lodge will probably sum up. Senator
Dubois told me yesterday that he
thought the vote would be cast the last
Of this week.
1t is with no little enjoyment that
the democrats view the present dis
comfiture of ther opponents. The re
publicans are facing a serious division
of opinion in their own ranks and
which faction will win no one can de-
finitely predict. The opponents of
Cuban reciprocity are determined that
the isthmian canal bill shall take pre-
cedence over the former measure when
the Philippine bill is disposed of.
Senator Platt, manager of the Cuban
bill, is not yet sufficiently sure of the
support which straight reciprocity
bill would secure in the Senate to urge
Its Immediate consideration and be ap-
preciates that If he reports the bill as
passed by the House, while it will re-
celve the unanimous support of the
democrats, the friendship of the Sugar
Trust would be forfeited. The only
way out OF the dilemma would be ad.
JOurnment as soon as the Philippine
bill and the two remaining appropria-
t1on bills are passed but the obstacle |
to that course, which is being consid- |
cred, Is the publicly announced inten.
ton of the President to call an extra
session in case Congress adjourns with |
out acting on the Cuban bill. Viewed |
from any standpoint it is a serious
dilemma and the republicans are IA
cling 1t with a bad grace. II the Presi-
dent will yield almost immediate adj.
journment will follow. liza Sufficient
number of "beet sugar Senator's can be-
whipped intO1ine the Cuban bill will he
passed and there will be no canal leo
lslation, but the fear is that the canal
bill will have to be taken up and that
would mean the pOstponement of ad.
journment for many weeks.
Tomorrow or the next day the renuh.
licans of the House except to call a can.
Gus to consider the advisabilitv of
passing the Fowler banking and chr.
rency bill. There is no hope that the
bill will be passed or even considered
at this session by the Senate and there
Is little likelihood that the Senate will
pass 1t at the next session but it ia the
belief OF the House leaders that it will
draw" the democrats in the fall cam.
paign and it is with the intention of
stirring up the advocates of free silver
that the leaders wish to pass the meas
nre. The bill provides for the retire
nent OF the greenbacks and the con.
Veyance to the national banks of al.
most unlimited powers and RESPONSE
oilities. The Western republicans are
'eriously opposed to it's passage as they
believe it would be another instancelof !
ne sacrifice of their interests to the |
General good of the party and they con- :