New-York tribune., 1902-05-14
VOTE NOT YET IN SIGHT.
MANY SPEECHES STILL TO BE MADE
ON THE PHILIPPINE GOV
ERNMENT BILL.
IBY TELEGRAPH 4c THE TRIBuNE.I

Washington, May Ex-senator Lodge this af-
ternoon attempted in vain to secure from the
opposition some hint to when it would be
agreeable to them to vote on the Philippine
Civil Government bill. He explained that he
had decided not to press his request at this
time for longer sessions of the Senate pending
the further discussion of his BILL although he
submitted that in all fairness the Democrats
ought to signify a willingness ia set "A date for
vote Messrs. Rawlins and Dubois the recog-
nized leaders If the Democratic obstruction, lis
tened attentivey to Mr.. Lodge, but neither of
them volunteered a statement to the purpose
Of the Democratic side of the Senate 1t is pos
sible, of course, that Mr.. Lodge may be able to
get vote next week, is generally reported.
but it is evident that the prospects at this time
do not favor so early end of the debate. Some
OF the most pretentiOus speeches yet are TO be
made on both sides of the chamber Senator
HOar will probably speak against the bill this
week, also may Mr. Jones, of Arkansas; Mr..
CulbersOn, of Texas; Mr.. Dubois of Idaho; Mr..
Teller, of Colorado, and several other Demo-
Gratis. Then number of the majority mem
bers of the Philippine Committee doubtless will
feel called upon to reply to some or all of these
assaults on the measure, which have degener-
ated into violent attacks upon the administra-
tons Philippine policy.
Senator Lodge is the only Republican member
of the committee who thus far has delivered
anything like set address the bill. Mr..
Foraker who spoke at length and with much
force and clearness yesterday, is not member
of the committee, Mr.. Lodges party associ
ates on The committee Messrs. Allison, Hale,
Proctor Beveridge, Burrows, McComas and
Dietrich 1t was Mr. McComas who in a short
speech last week stirred Senator TilIman up and
provoked from the South Carolinian bitter
arraignment Of the Republican party for trying
to secure fair elections in the South. 1t is un-
derstOod that Senators Hale, Burrows Beveridge
and Proctor are preparing speeches in favor of
the bill and it is not improbable that Senator
Frye Will leave the chair long enough to reply
at length to some of the Democratic misrepre
sentations of the Paris Peace Commission, of
which he was a member. Then. too il is pos
sbe that Senator Platt. of Connecticut. may
be induced to take the floor against Mr. Hoar.
as he did without preparation while the Philip
pine Tariff bill was being debated Thus the
chances seem greatly against an early close Of
the debate and tinal vote. On the contrary,
they appear favor an indefinite extension OF
the discussion, at least its continuance
through this month, and perhaps through the
first week OF June
In that event there is scarcely any doubt that
the Hepburn Nicaragua Canal bill will be
placed by the Cuban Reciprocity bill Senator
Morgan of Alabama, who still Is the unCompro-
missing champion OF the Nicaragua route said
to-day he felt confident that this measure would
hold its place on the calendar and follow the
Lodge Philippine Government bill but Mr.. Nor
gans confidence is not shared by many Sena-
tors. even on the Democratic side of the cham
Der. Among the Republicans the opinion is al
most unanimous that the Canal bill will be set
aside IN favor Of the Cuban reciprocity PROPOSE
tion, and that the latter measure and not the
former surely Will pass AZ this session. II the
debate on the Lodge bill is continued until June
! the Senate would have neither the time
the inclination TO take up any other than press
ing subjects for consideration at this session. AS
the Canal bill does not belong TO the category
of necessary legislation. while the Cuban prop
osition does the Republican leaders would not
be driven into an unusually long session OF Con
gress by the Clamor OF the Democrats, under the
S%aerShtp OF Mr.. Morgan to take up the Canal
piu III the Canal I'm should taken up after
the passage Of the Reciprocity bill or even be-
fore. the fierce night il would pFecptate would
extend the session far into the summer and per-
haps into the fall.