Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-05-01
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON April Goth, 1902.
A most remarkable spectacle was ai
forded to the visitors at the capitol las,
Friday. The senate chamber was al.
most vacant, the lobbies and even the
committee rooms were vacated, but in
the house OF representatives a different
scene presented itself. Not only was
every member in his place, but on the
rostrum and around the walls Of the
chamber sat or stood many senators and
every seat in the commodious galleries
was occupied. The occasion was the
final struggle in the contest which has
been taking place between the admins
tration republicans, and that large fac
tlon OF the party which has allied itselI
to the standard OF beet sugar and ex-
treme protection. And yet to the un.
initiated every faction appeared to be
voting against its Town interests and
suggested general political hari-kiri.
The beet sugar men we're voting to re-
move the diherental tariff from refined
sugar, an end which must prove serious.
ly injurious to the beet sugar interests,
the staunch supporters OF the protection
policy, Speaker Henderson and his fol-
lowing, were voting to lower the tariff
and the democrats were voting for an
amendment which they knew to be
inniwical to reduced duties between the
United States and Cuba, policy which
they had previously described as 20 per
cent conversion to their views.
To the initiated the position on the
floor Of the house while anomalous
was reasonably clear. The beet
sugar supporters had determined To
amend the Cuban reciprocity bill to
the extent OF taking the diiIerential duty
of Of refined sugar believing that by so
doing they would defeat the whole
measure, 1t haying been generally con-
ceded that the senate would never pass
the bill so amended. The republican
leaders were voting for that policy OF
reciprocity which they consider that
they have inherited from Blaine and
Mckinley and they we're further paying
difference TO the president whose strong
sense Of justice has prompted him to
risk consure and even brave the danger
OF party discord In an effort TO fulfil
the pledges which he believes his
respected predecessor made to Cuba.
The democrats we're striking blow at
the profits Of the sugar trust and 70
regarded their action consistent, even If
1t defeated partial reduction OF the
tariff.
To Mr.. Dalzell, Of Pennsylvania, fell
the honor OF closing a debate which has
been characterized by some Of the best
speeches which the house has heard In
many years. lie presented clear and
forceiu argument In support Of his
views. lie had been preceded by Mr.
Richardson, Of Tennessee, who had been
equally logical in his exposition OF the
situation. Following Mr.. DalzelPs
speech Judge Morris, Of Minnesota, pre-.
sented the amendment removing the
dilIerential on refined sugar and i'm.
mediatey the poin: OF order was raised.
After some hours debate on this ques.
ton the chair ruled out the anendment
and Immediately Mr. Tswney, The beet
sugar leader, appealed from the chairs
decision. The appeal carried amid
tumuIluouz cheers from the democrats
and beet sugar men and. after the usual
routine business, the speaker declared
the bill for Cuban reciprocity, 20
amended as to remove the extra duty on
refined sugar, carried by a vote Of 2l7 to
52. The fate Of the bill now rests with
the senate but II is generally believed
that II will not pass except 30 amended
as TO preclude the possibility OF the
houses agreeing to the amendments.
The battle for Cuban reciprocity, in a
word, is considered lost.
After rejecting the Chinese exclusion
bill which had been under consideration,
the senate on last Wednesday re-en.
acted the Geary law aud there is little
doubt but that the house will lconcur so
that the law may be placed on the
statutes before May 9th, the date when
The present law expires by limitation.
Since that time, as is usually the case
after the enactment OF any important
legislation, the senate has practically