New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-28
RATE BILL SEEMS SURE.
OPPOSITION BREAKING UP.
Good Chance for amended Philip
pine and Statehood Measures
GFrom The Tribune Bureau. !

from The Tribune Bureau
Washington Feb. 27.-The legislative outlook
in the Senate at this stage of the proceedings
seems to forecast the following probabilities
Frst-The Railway Rate bill to pass practi-
caly in the form desired by President Roose-
welt.
Second-The Statehood bill to pass Friday of
next week, with the Foraker amendment which
provides that the Territories of New-Mexico
and Arizona shall separately vote upon joint
Statehood, Indian Territory and Oklahoma COM
ing in meanwhile.
Third-Passage of the Philippines Tariff bill,
after amendment to meet objections raised both
by Democrats and Republicans from the West
States.
Taking these measures up in the order named.
1t is evident TO the friends OF the administration
In Congress that the opposition to President
Roosevelt's railway rate legislation is breaking
down. Dissolution is said to have set In when
the Democrats Of the Committee on Interstate
Commerce refused to split and allow three of
their members to join with five Republicans to
amend the Hepburn bill. If that design had
been accomplished a very different state of af-
fairs would now be presented In the Senate.
AS the stands, only result is said
to seem practicable-acceptance of the inevita-
BILE by yielding to popular pressure in behalf
Of the Presidents rate bill. 1t is either that or
a split in the party on the of Congress
sional campaign.
There visible signs that the element in
the Republican party in the Senate which has
been holding out for a modification of the Presi-
dents views on railway rate legislation is pre-
pairing to capitulate and accept the bill which
is likely to command the support of the major
ity of Republicans in both houses. One thing
contributing to this is the pressure of public
opinion Another Is the likelihood of the Demo-
cratic party under competent leadership in the
tai
of situation If the Republicans should demon
strate a fatal division Of sentiment.
Competent observers in the Senate think they
note q disposition on the part of the railroad
interests to abandon the fight against railroad
rate legislation and make the best terms pos
sible hoping TO have their day in court under as
liberal provision for appeal as they may obtain
rather than to 1rritate public sentiment by fur
Their opposition.
As to the Statehood bill, the Senate appears
now to lean more to the opinion that the pend
ing bill for Joint Statehood for New Mexico and
Arizona by coercion, willy-nilly, is not feasible
This bill in the Senate is on basis entirely dill
ferent from that in the House 1t will be re-
called that the contest in the lower branch OF
Congress got away from the merits OF the bill
and rested on question of maintaining Repub-
lican discipline, and the organization of the
party In the House. In the Senate the bill is
|
ably there is strong and influential opposition to
it In it's present form. The citizens of Arizona
who object to enforced union with New-MeX1co
have worked up a sentiment of sympathy in the
Senate which must be taken into account. There
is no objection to the admission of Indian Terri
tory and Oklahoma, because the citizens OF
both Territories willing and anxious.
As TO the forcible union of New-Mexico and
Arizona there is a difference Of opinion in both
Territories. No one can tell how far it extends.
and to solve the question 1t is proposed that the
referendum be applied and the voters be allowed
TO express their choice. This alternative is pro-
posed in the Foraker amendment, for which q
majority vote In the Senate Is now confidently
claimed. The question will be determined on
| March 8, under an agreement reached In the
| Senate to-day by unanimous consent, whereby
| a final vote the Statehood bill and amend
| ments to 1t will be taken that day.
The Philippines Tariff bill is still il commit
! tee. Opposition to Il favorable report on the
| House bill has been vigorously urged by West
| Coast the representatives in the upper chamber
have been fighting the bill the score Of threat
! ened injury TO the tobacco and beet sugar III
! duStries. 1t is a serious question whether the
bill can get out of committee in It's present form.
/ Opponents Of the measure confidently declare
J that if il should be reported out of committee
! II would vet confront a hostile majority in the
| amended TO escape from the committee and that
! il will run a harsh tedious gauntlet in debate,
! some of the opposition being of the most stub
| horn sort, and likely TO test the endurance of
! the Senate by long and tedious speeches until
| we'll into the summer