New-York tribune., 1902-05-07
SENATE CABAL LOSING.
LIVELY FIGHT AMONG THE
DEMOCRATS.
PHILIPPINE CIVIL GOVERNMENT AND
CUBAN RECIPROCITY BILLS TO BE
PASSED AT THIS SESSION
tBr TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE

tBT TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBrNE.l
Washington. May 6.-The scheme of a cabal of
Democrats in the Senate to hold up all legisla-
tion at this session except the necessary appro-
pristion bills under the pretence of fighting the
Lodge bin for the establishment of civil govern
ment in the Philippines has lost instead of gained
strength during the week. Several days ago
ii was given out with flourish of trumpets by
the leaders of the Democratic cabaI that they
were being encouraged in their plan of obstruc-
tion by Republican Senators who were opposed
10 definite action at this session the 18TH
nian Canal and Cuban reciprocity propositions,
but to-day they are unable TO produce convinc-
ing evidence to sustain the claim that any Gle
raent of Republican Senators have pledged their
secret silent support 10 enterprise whose
chief result would be humiliating defeat to the
administration and eventually a schsm in the
Republican party that would undoubtedly have
baneful influence in the Congress campaign
this year and the Presidential contest two years
hence. While Of course. il is conceded that pos
sibly the proposal for unholy alliance as
this came originally from one or more Repuoi-
cans. alleged by the Democratic conspirators,
IL is certain that these Senators do not
represent element OF sufficient strength
TO threaten with harm any measure in which
the administration is interested. The fact is
that the Lodge bill will be passed at this ses
measure is disposed of the Cuban Reciprocity
bill viii be taken up and put through in short
order as a strict party measure. This statement
SIS based the highest authority in the Sem
ate, and represents the views of the best thought
on both the Republican and Democratic sides of
the chamber.
FATE OF CANAL BILL IN DOUBT.
Whether or not the isthmian canal bill will
be acted on at this session is an entirely differ
ent question and one which only events can
develop The circumstance that the canal bill
has place the calendar Immediately behind
the Philippine bill does not necessarily indicate
that il will be the next measure considered or
disposed of. On the contrary it is generally re-
garded as a foregone conclusion that as soon
as the Philippine bill is out OF the way the
canal bill will be replaced on the calendar by
the Cuban reciprocity proposition. and when
this latter measure is passed il will be hard TO
hold Congress here long enough to dispose of
the canal bill, as it will then be about the
middle of June 1t was said to-day by four of
the most influential members of the Senate
that il was the present intention to adjourn
Congress not later than June 20. Senator Platt,
of Connecticut, the acknowledged leader of
Cuban reciprocity legislation. is trusted by the
President and all the other friends of that
proposition to frame a bill, when the time for
virtually the entire Republican side of the Sen
ate When he does this, Democratic protests will
be of avail TO prevent delay, in the interest
of the beet sugar industry of the West. favora-
!. bic action reciprocity.
nj REVOLT AGAINST NEW LEADERSHIP.
~ Senator Lodge, chairman of the Committee on
the Philippines, said this evening that he may
now ask almost at any time for agreement
90 vote on the Civil Government bill at an early
date Further than this the Massachusetts Sen
ator is not prepared TO venture assertion at
present this highly interesting subject But
two other Republican members Of the committee
said that motion fixing day for vote would
in all probability be made next week and that
the date agreed upon, perhaps would not be
earlier than the last week in May or the first
week in June. Senators Rawiins Culberson,
Dubois Carmack and Patterson, who constitute
the minority of the committee still say that it
is the matured purpose of their side of the
chamber TO talk the bill death. and some of
them assert that they have decided to resort TO
flibustering tactics if necessary. to carry their
point 1t is not probable however that they
could hlbuster to much purpose. in view of the
obvious fact that there is a threatened revolt
against their leadership. The old element OF
Democrats plainly resent the efforts of the new
element TO lead them, and such Old-timers as
Messrs. Vest and Cockrell, OF Missouri Morgan
and Pettus, of Alabama; Daniel and Martin, or
Virginia: Money. Of Mississippi; Bacon. of
Georgia and McEnery- of Louisiana, will re-
fuse at the crucial test to support the hllbuster
planned by the minority of the Philippine Com
snttee. Messrs. Morgan and Pettus already
have given evidence of their distrust of the new
leadership by sharply rebuking the efforts made
by the element last week to prolong the
silly discussion over the Major Gardener incl
dent. II is confidently believed that these vet
eran Democrats represented in this matter the
attitude Of the majority their side of the
chamber. Hence. when Messrs. Rawlins. Cul-
berson Dubois Carmack and Patterson attempt
10 defeat the Lodge bill by flibusering they will
find themselves without any considerable fol-
lowing, and, of course. their attempt will fail.