The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-03-15

is particularly true of all western
states and Is said to account for the
zeal of Senator Dolliver for the meas.
nre. 1t Is also recognized that while
many republican senators owe their
election to railroad influences, they are
at heart opposed to present railroad
methods and extortionate charges, and
that they have only to realize that
the people are aroused sufficiently to
be relied upon to protect them in their
Offices when they will gladly turn
upon the railroads and serve the peo-
pie by supporting the Hepburn bill
and unfolding the president.
Privately, among the able lawyers
In congress there has been much dis
cussion over the proposed amend
ments to the Hepburn bill, suggested
by Senators Spponer of Wisconsin,
and Knox of Pennsylvania. These
amendments are considered as cum
ningly devised clap-trap to deceive
the people and destroy the bill by
rendering 1t impotent to do any of the
to do.
Tremendous pressure has been
brought to bear upon the president to
induce him to compromise upon an
amendment that would solidify the
vote Of republican senators. His we'll
known craftsmanship is relied upon to
influence him. 1t is said that on
several occasions he has been danger
Ously near the point of surrendering
the benefits of the bill because of his
anxiety to preserve harmony and
unity In the republican party.
Senator Foraker of Ohio made one
the rate bill few days since He
denounced the measure as unconsti-
tutional, pernicious and unnecessary,
and predicted that all sorts of evils
would follow In its train if enacted
into law. The senator voices the sen
timent OF the railroads and the rail- /
road senators. He was followed by
Senator Dolliver, who ably defended
the bill. The position represented by
Foraker ON one side and Dolliver on
the other are irreconciliable. one stat I
ing the railroad side of the question
and the other the peoples side.
That the railroad question is the
rock upon which the republican craft
will be dashed to pieces, if the demo
cratic senators utilize the opportunity
that now presents itself to them is
the opinion of the political sages who
are watching the turn of affairs.
The statehood bill passed the SEN
ate with the Foraker amendment. ad-
hitting Oklahoma and the Indian Ter
ritory to the union but eliminating
Arizona and New Mexico. The bill
as amended passed the senate by a
vote OF thirty-seven to thirty-five.
The feeling against the president
engendered by his stubbornness in
insisting upon a genuine measure of
relief from railroad extortion is shown
by the opposition of the railroad SEN
ators TO all of the other measures
that the president has at heart. There
Is also a very ugly feeling between a
number of house and senate leaders
over the confusion that reigns regard
ing the fate of number of their pet
in fact there exists here
in congress a legislative muddle that
is perplexing to many of the Oldest
members of both houses, and out of
which number of them profess to
be unable to see daylight.
The recent outbreak of the Moros
in the Philippine islands is causing
the cold chills to run down the backs
of the statesmen who in the past have
contended that our mission in the
Philippines was one of philanthropy
1t Is now realized that the Moros are
going TO be somewhat difficult to
assimilate. The slaugh-
Ter inflicted by cur troops was horri-
BILE although II may have hnnn nnnar