Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1902-04-18
A BATTLE ROYAL
The Cuban Reciprocity
Bill Up.
Final Vote Is to Be Taken
Today.
Party Lines Lost Sight Of in the
Struggle.
THE FINISH FIGHT.

Washington, April 1S.-The house
convened at IL o'clock today and con-
tinued the debate on the Cuban recip-
rocity bill Pursuant to agreement a
vote was to have been taken at 3
this afternoon. The leaders are much
concerned over the action of the dem
ocratic caucus last night in voting SOL
idly for the removal of the differential
on refined sugar. The prospect of
stormy debate brought the members
out in full force. Mr.. Richardson, the
democratic leader, was the first speak
er. He doubted If the enactment of
the bill would do much to bring about
reciprocal trade relations between
Cuba and the United States, which is
earnestly desired, but he voted in fav-
or of reporting it in the hope that it
might accomplish something-would
at least reduce by 20 per cent the out
rageously high rates of the Dingley
law so far as Cuba is concerned. The
high rates could not stand. Mr.. Gros-
venor's speech of few days ago was
a warning of the coming storm. He
outlined the democratic program rela-
tive to an amendment to abolish the
differential on refined sugar If carried
five or six million dollars will be taken
from the sugar refiners and given to
American consumers.
Mr.. Bromwell, of Ohio, asked Mr..
Richardson IL he knew anything of the
reported bargain between the leaders
of the two sides Of the house by which
the Crumpacker resolution to investi-
gate the southern election laws is to be
smothered in order to aid the passage
of the Cuban reciprocity bill "Abso-
lutely nothing replied Mr.. Richard
son.
Mr.. Fordney. of Michigan, opposed
the bill, saying not single Cuban
had appeared before the committee on
ways and means in favor of the bill
All witnesses were connected in some
way with the sugar interests.
Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, referred to the
alleged bargain on the Crumpacker res
olution as a very serious matter, mas
much as it means trafficing in legisla-
ture and charging certain members
with Willingness to shelve legislation"
which members consider as important
as sure for the ultimate triumph of the
bill.
Mr.. Hepburn held up to ridicule the
most ardent friends of the measure.
MIR. Grosvenor he said, declined to
support the bill for So 40, 80 or 20 per
cent reduction. 1t was only when the
concession was reduced 5 per cent
further he was induced to support It.
Had it not been for that last nickel re-
duction the gentleman from Ohio to-
day would have been with the insur-
gents in attempting to divide the re-
publican party and destroy it. He de-
nounced that feature of the bill to
compel Cuba to accept our immigra-
tion laws when the greatest need of
Cuba today was labor.
Mr.. Tawney, of Minnesota, closed
the debate against the bill, and Mr..
Dalzell, of Pennsylvania, for the meas
ure. Mr.. Tawney defended the course
of those on the republican side who
had not surrendered their convictions
that theft might follow fawning." He
argued if the beet sugar industry is
properly protected, in few years it
would supply the entire domestic con-
sumption. For this reason, through
the agency of this bill, the sugar trust
is seeking to cripple and destroy it's
great rival of the future.
In closing the debate Mr.. DalZell de-
clared the Cuban bill did not deprive
a SluSlt VI d udy WdSNo'
that it is simply a proposition for re-
ciprocal trade relations with Cuba and
a step toward a redemption OF the
pledge made to Cuba.
Mr.. Dalzell concluded by saying the
differential in the Dingley bill was
placed there for the benefit of the beet
sugar growers.
Soon after o'clock the bill was read
and considered under the five-minute
rule.
Mr.. Morrison, of Minnesota, offered
an amendment to remove the differ
ential on refined sugar Mr.. Payne
made the point of order that it was
not germane and entered into an argu-
ment on the subject.
Mr.. Littlefield, replying TO Mr.. Payne.
alluded to the talk on the Crumpacker
resolution in the democratic caucus
last night and said it was intimated
an offer had been made or an "unholy.
ungodly and infamous alliance TO sac
rifice human rights Tor the beneht OF
an aggregation of capital
Mr.. Underwood, of Alabama, who is
credited with giving publicity to the
Crumpacker matter, denied he had
ever made the charge that has been
implied to him. either in the demo-
cratic caucus or elsewhere.
The house amendment removing the
differential on sugar was agreed to by
164 to Ill.