The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-08-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.

AnS 81 ot tSS iSiaGNC Sdmc III WASH
ington, with its many burdensome con.
tentions. drags Cry goes up for surcease
from chickering's and wranglings. Those
upon whose shoulders responsibility rests
want barriers withdrawn and clear way
for an advance. The opposition has
tested its strength pretty successfully,
although its success has been chiefly il
compelling delay. "Whv does not the
tariff bill pass !" the country is inquir-
ing. Because Republicans will not let Ii.
Because. also, Democrats of the Senate
have not the aggressive strength major
ity party should have !.
And yet the majority is losing no
ground. Weeks have passed in efforts to
re d the bill. Scores and scores of votes
have been taken. In every instance Fl
nance Committee amendments have been
adopted and opposition provisions de-
feated. While Iprogress is slow, it has
been sure and steady. At no time has
Democratic con.rol been imperiled. This
status of things has caused much impa-
tient philosophizing What's the usea
Even some republicans are asking this
question. Certain. Of them think ii is
bad politics. but the old Republican
guard of the Senate thinks otherwise.
A nigh y fight it is to break down the
new control. With delay contingencies
may arise, and with contingencies, per-
haps. opportunities that will be. worth
while. The grip of the old guard cannot
be broken or shaken, and accordingly,
with much fuss and hurrah, the proceed
ings. in which the country has small
interest, go on.
~
Currency reform combatauts at the
Capitol are exchanging heavy blows.
They started at it several days in advance
|of the House Democratic caucus, which
outnumbers. It was not enough that the
House Democratic members Of the Bank
ing and Currency Committee should
have been giving and taking hard
shoulder punches at one another, with
three of their number so mad they would
not join in the majority report Demo:
cratic Senators began to jab. To be sure,
there was sufficient debating opporsuni-
ties in the Senate TO satisfy the most fasti-
dious. But there is ban upon too
many Democratic speeches as to tariff.
The Democratic leaders are frow 1inp on
tariff speeches and want their own men
to stay quiet. Consequently one of their
oyn Senstors-H Hitchcock. of Nebraska
who hates Bryan more vigorously than
any Republican hates him. just bust
right out into the open with denunciation
of currency reform. It was probably be.
cause Hitchcock cannot get anything
much in the way of Federal patronage
while his fellow Nenrass an BRYAN sit.
in tue Cabinet
All this was high jinks. for Republican.
had long before begun to grumble be
cause the President was trying to keer
them in Washington all the Autumn
VIII n their hearts were firmly set on go
ing away as soon as the tariff bill hai
been disposed of. 1t encouraged few
of the House iusIrgeut Democrats IL
start right out for fight. good and plen
ty. and they were going at fast rate
Thereupon some wise men undertook
polilof the House. 1t was quite astound
ing in the great majority promised for th,
bill, and was terrible backset for re
calcitrant Democrats.
One surprising feature was that a good
ly number of Republicans are thinking
seriously til II they will vote for the cur
rency bill, even tho it be made a caucus
measure. The House Republicans are il
a little different mood about this legisIa
tionthan some OF their political bre. hreu
over in the Senate. They fiui their con
stituents are inclined to favor the bill
and accordingly will vote for 1t. Thi.
holds lrue of many of the Western Re
puLlicans and some of those Represents
tives Of Progressive tendencies.
Accordingly il became very apparent
days ago, and in advance of the Hous.
Dem cratic caucus. thai the currency bill
wonld probably slide thru the House
ignite easily.
! just now one hears II said Senatorially
that the currency bill will never, never
pass The Senate at this extra session
One need not take, that too seriously. II
is quite within the hounds Of obanility
that he Senate. seeing that Il must take
~ medicine. will speed up and pass the
rn'rrrcy bill in couple of weeks. con.
solins itself with The p ilos,phy that it i.
the Presidents Till aud he will b respon