The Washington herald., 1907-01-19
SENATE TO TABLE
VEXING AMENDMENT
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

Senators and thirty-three Democrats. As
suming the presence Of all absentees, the
Democrats would have 20 be Joined by
thirteen Republicans to adopt the amenc-
nent offered by Mr. Blackburn. But, as
has been said, the Democrats will be d.
vlded also, II the amendment is voted on
II Messrs. Tillman. Teller. and Clark al
should vote against the amendment, the
Democrats would have TO receive the sup
port Of sixteen Republicans, and 1t is con
ceded that that is out Of the question.
II should be remembered. however, that
there is nothing to Indicate that the Dem
ocrats really desire to have the amend
ment adopted. On the contrary. Il is plain
that. from the standpoint OF politics, II
will be much better for them If the
amendment is defeated; and not more
than one or two Of the Democratic Sena-
tors pretend that their latest move had
any other than a political object
While Senator Lodge holds tie key 10
the situation, in a way il is plain that he
is In "a dilemma which has Two extremely
sharp horns. The thermometers Of the M
j5rity were satisfied. after their confer
cnces yesterday. that the Massachusetts
Senator VIII do nothing 10 aid in the Dem
Ocratic effort to disrupt the Republicans
but. on the other hand, VIII step into the
breach and help his party by making the
motion 10 table the troublesome Black
burn amendment Obviously. however,
that will embarrdsS him. for IL will place
him in a position exactly at variance with
the one he assumed when he introduced
and supported an amendment having ex-
actIy the same end in view.
II Mr. Lodge does make this motion,
as his colleagues expect, he doubtless Will
preface IL by a statement that he has de-
cided the Foraker substitute resolution
covers the ground. although il leaves the
Presidents action entirely out Of the dis
cussi0n. 1t is understood that the Presi-
dent informed Mr. Lodge yesterday that
he was rather Indifferent as 10 the fate Of
the Blackburn amendment. and this. if
true. naturally will operate 10 influence
the Massachusetts Senator TO act rs the
other Republican leaders desire. The atti-
tude Of the President is said TO be that he
does not care for yindication n the hands
u the Democrats.
Republicans for the Amendment.
Senator Beveridge has announced that
he will vote for the Blackburn amend
ment. and Senator Warner, Senator Bur
l1ett, and possibly as many as three or four
other Republicans are expected 20 do like
wise. \ vote against the amendment
would be rather embarrassing for Mr.,
Snuoner. who has declared his positive
belief that the President acted within his
legal and constitutional rights, but his
colleagues understand that he viii act
with them.
There is another feature of the con-
troversy that has more or less interest
The threat of Senator Aldrich 70 make
an issue Of the reduction of Southern
representation has brought worry to the
adhcrents OF Vice President Fairbanks
boom for the Presidential nomination
1t is claimed in some quarters that Mr..
Fairbanks has already captured the Re
publican managers in several Southern
States. and that these managers viii de-
liver to him the votes Of the delegates
from those States in the next national
convention. Delegates TO the convention
from any State are twice as many as the
number Of Senators and Representatives
in Congress from that State
If the Congress representation were cut
down in a SOU, ,hern State controlled by
;he Fairbanks faction, the Vice Presi-
dent would lose two delegates for every
Congressional district wiped out.
It Is evident that the Fairbanks con-
t.ngent in Washington is not in favor
OF the Aldrich proposal and out of this
has grown a positively stated report that
MIR. AIdrich will have no difficulty in get
ting the Fairbanks ddherent5 in the Sen
ate, whoever they may be, TO vote against
the Blackburn resolution. The main ques-
tion, however. Is not materially affected
b. this development
Consideration of The Brownsville mat
ter went over to Monday in the Senate
yesterday. on request OF Senator Kean. of
New jersey.