The Washington times., 1902-03-06
Beet Sugar Advocates Con-
fldent of Winning Out.
THE PRESIDENTS ATTITUDE
Result of Tonight's Caucus ProbleInatical
Views of the Ways and Means Com
mittee to Be Presented by Representa-
tive Dalzell and Others.

The success of the domestic sugar pro-
ducers and their representatives in Con-
gress in the two Republican conferences
held to discuss the question of reducing
the tariff on Cuban sugar and tobacco
has elated them and has laid the founda-
tion for a feeling of overconfdence which
may prove fatal.
While they are patting one another on
the back and telling how sure they were
of winning. the half dozen supporters OF
the proposition submitted by the Ways
and Meas Committee have been actively
circulating about the House winning con-
verts. But for the fact that number de-
sired to be heard on the subject, a vote
would have been forced at the last con-
ference, which would undoubtedly have
resulted in a sweeping victory for the
beet sugar men. Their opponents hoped
for a special message from the President
on the subject before the meeting tonight.
but this hope, it was reported last night.
is futile.
No Message to Be Sent.
President Roosevelts views as to the
advisability of sending a message are re-
ported to have been based upon the ad-
vice OF Speaker Henderson and Repre-
sentative Cannon. chairman of The House
Committee on Appropriations, who yes
teTday advised against sending any mes
sage at this time On the subject. They
represented to the President that mes
sage would merely intensity the party I'M
pleasantness of the situation in the
House, and would likely provoke the beet
sugar men into open revolt on all party
questions.
1t is said the President wanted to knew
ii the House of Representatives was to
dominate the situation and was informed.
it is said. that the House had quite a
enquiries made yesterday OF ether men,
bers of the House ELECTED similar in
as to the state of affairs.
The President is quoted as saying that
he desires relief for only those Cubans
who are suffering and who need relief.
and he is not concerned with fattening
the pocketbooks of American and Span
ish landlords. He is reported to be will
ing to accept any plan which will accom-
plish this result. and is not welded to a
reduction in the tariff.
Should the conference decide tonight
to do nothing, it is possible the Presi-
deEt may send q special message On the
subject, but none is looked for.
Hopes of Reduction Advocates.
The advocates of the reduction base
their hopes on the outcome of tonight's
conference on three things-the reputed
support of the President. the fact that
such leaders as Representatives Payne,
Steele. Grosvenor. and others are COM
mitted to the proposition, and that ma
iority of the Representatives are always
willing to follow their leaders if they are
convinced the leaders are in earnest.
Some eight members have been absent
from both conferences, and i. is possible
that IL they cone in tonight the majority
of them will cast their lot with Messrs
Payne, Grosvenor, ct al. especially if
Representative Dalzell The great protec-
zionist leader in the House, should aban-
don the principle Of protection and follow
Mr.. Payne. Tuesday and yesterday the
directions. and lined up quite Z respec;a-
bic following. General Grosyener, how
ever. went to Ohio Tuesday evening, and
is not expected back for the conference.
Northern Negroes in Line.
The Republicans from Ohio and Indiana.
not being specially interested in beet
sugar. although some of the fre-t beet
sugar land in the United States is in the
swamps in Crumpacker's dis
trict. have been inclined TO favor a reduc-
tion until recently, when the negroes of
those States began to take an active in
terest in the welfare OF their brethren in
Louisiana.
According to the claims of the Louisi-
ana planters. they will have to go out OF
business If the tariff is reduced. This
would throw 10000 negroes out of em-
ployment AS the planters say they can
not go TO raising rice, as the Cuban Senior
Mendoza charitably recommended them to
do in case they were ruined, the negroes
will have to move elsewhere to look for
work.
AT least they fear this result. Their
colored brethren in the .Aiidcle States
have taken up their cause and made it
sentatives and agitating the subject in
their newspapers.
The leading colored organ Of the United
States. THE Freeman, published at In
has pointed out editOrially
hat the negroes always stood for protec-
ton. While the negroes in Louisiana
have practically no votes except in con-
ventions, the negroes in Indiana and Ohio
hold the balance OF power. They viii not
forget the wrong to their brethren in
Louisiana in case the latter are driven
rom their homes with their families by
the ruination Of the sugar industry.
Marked copes of THE Freeman" have
been sent to the Republican members OF
the House, and have been read with in
terest.
Possibilities of Caucus.
While last night the forces seemed 10 be
about equal ii IS probable that if the beet
sugar people win there viii be land
slide in their direction. On the other !
hand should the Payne proposition be |
adopted the beet-sugar men swear TO ight |
IL In the House TO the last breath. Mean
while both sides are so touchy on the sub !