New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-19
HOUSE LEADERS DEFEATED
BEET SUGAR REPUBLICANS AND FREE
TRADE DEMOCRATS JOIN FORCES
To OVERRULE THE CHAIR
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.1

washington. april 1S-By joining forces with
the Free Trade Democrats to-day, sixty-four
Republicans of the House who represent the
beet sugar interests succeeded In fastening on
the Cuban Reciprocity bill a radical tariff re-
vision amendment, which will make all the
harder the task of the protectionists IN the
Senate who are pledged to the support of the
administrations Cuban policy. After they ac-
complished this mischief the beet sugar people
turned around and voted against the passage of
the bill which they had attempted to defeat by
weighing it down with free trade amendment
If the result of their action to-day is accepted
by the Senate, they and they alone Will De
responsible for whatever harm may be done
to the beet sugar industry of the United States
by the negotiation of reciprocity treaty with
Cuba. The fact that most of them voted against
the passage of the bill will not relieve them Of
the responsibility for the injury that might be
inflicted the beet sugar interests should the
Senate not see fit to eliminate from the measure
that clause which repeals the differential tariff
on refined sugar, which now amounts to about
II cents hundred and is in reality about the
only protection given to the refiners of sugar
in the United States. As was forcibly pointed
out by Chairman Payne of the Ways and Means
Committee in the protest he made against the
amendment proposed by Mr.. Morris. of Min
nesota to abolish the dfferential. the beet sugar
sugar. Consequently, under the present tariff
arrangement. they are the great benefciaries OF
the protective system. However, as the Senate
probably will the beet sugar industry from
its shortsighted representatives in the House.
it is needless to speculate at this time the
possible harm that may be done to that in
dustry by the fatuous course to-day of the dele
cations from Michigan and California, with the
aid of the Free Trade Democrats.
EXCITING DAY IN THE HOUSE
The day in the House full of intense ex-
element. When 1t was learned this morning
that the Democrats in secret caucus last night
had decided to stand together on the proposition
to repeal the sugar differentiaI, the Republican
insurgents held a hurried conference before the
House met and resolved TO aid the Democrats
in any movement the latter might undertake for
the humiliation of the Administration and the
House organization. which had for it's chief
object the defeat of the Cuban Reciprocity bill
either outright or by so weighting 1t down with
amendments as to give the beet sugar men on
the Republican side of the Senate a chance to
talk it to death there 1t was reported around
the Capitol early in the day that beet sugar men
had taken fresh courage from the attitude
sumed by the Democrats. and would make
onslaught on the House organization with the
view of carrying their point. but few people
could be induced 10 beleNe tnat any capai OF ne
publiCans would go so far seriously to menace
their party with dangerous schism by giving aid
and comfort to the enemy in the manner
adopted Soon after the House met, however, il
became evident that the story only too true.
for the Republican majority were met at every
point by artfuI and stubborn opposition on the
part of the insurgents. Mr.. Littlefield, of Maine
led off for them In a speech that was strong and
brilliant in advocacy of amending the Payne
bill in accordance with the demand decided upon
by the Democratic caucus. and his argument
naturally strengthened the determination OF
both the Democrats and the insurgents to repu-
date the House leadership at the first favorable
opportunity.