The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-03-19
REPUBLICANS 1T LOGGERHEADs.
The Fourth Conference on Cuban
Reciprocity Results Only in
Arousing Bad Blood.

Washington, March ll.-About l3O
members were present tonight at the
fourth conference of house Republi-
cans called to consider the question Of
Cuban reciprocity. Representative
Long of Kansas, a member of the ways
and means committee, opened an ex-
haustiye argument in favor of the ~
er cent. concession advocated by his
colleagues of the ways and means
committee. He argued that the main
tenance of a protective tariff was not
involved in the proposition of the ways
and means committee but that the
policy of reciprocity was.
THE defeat of this BILL" said he,
means that the Republican party has
refused to follow the leadership OF
Blaine, OF Mckinley and of Roosevelt,
and it would mean that reciprocity was
no longer a part of the Republican
faith.''
He insisted that the hearings before
the committee on ways and means
showed conclusively that concessions
made on Cuban sugar would not affect
the price of sugar in this county, and
that the beet sugar industry could not
be injured.
In conclusion Mr.. Long said:
"If this legislation fails, and no
concession be made to Cuba-if the
policy of President Mckinley and
President Roosevelt be defeated by
this house-it does not mean that the
beet sugar industry, by the control of
this house, can prevent free sugar
from Cuba. After the establishment
of the Republic of Cuba, a treaty can
be negotiated with that country by
the president. That treaty can pro-
vide for the annexation Of Cuba and
that treaty can be submitted to the
senate and ratified. The moment that
ratifcations are exchanged, under the
decision of the supreme court IN the
Porto Rican case, we would have free
trade on all products with Cuba.
When Mr.. Long finished speaking
Mr.. Taylor of Ohio presented a pro-
test against the plan Of the ways and
means committee. It was in the ma
ture of a manifest setting out Of the
grounds on which their opposition is
based. being largely an amplihcationl
OF the contention that reduction OF
til duty on Cuban reciprocity involv-
ed relaxation of the protective prlncl-
pie. In lieu of the Tawney PROPOSE
tion for rebate Mr.. Tayler offered q
resolution declaring for adequate
protection to the cane and beet sugar
Industries and the policy Of reciproci-
ty, favoring commercial agreements
with Cuba in harmony with our Ma
tional policy of protection and reciproc-
ity. and
ssThat no further action be taken
respecting the proposition to reduce
the tariff On. Cuban products coming
into this country
Wm. A. Smith of Michigan made a
rousing speech of over an hour against
reciprocity. While announcing great
admiration for the president he insist
ed that there should be no executive
interference with the legislative branch
of the government. He also assailed
the organization of the house for lead
ing the party into disaster and paid
his respects to some members OF the
ways and means commi ittee who, he
asserted, have changed their position
on the reciprocity question within the
last few weeks. AS the evening ad-
yauced considerable bad blood was
manifested. The opponents of the
reciprocity seemed confident OF ma
iority and were anxious for vote
while the friends of reci procity coun-
seled against precipitate action. Mr..
I Cannon of Illinois made an appeal fol
harmony and strongly advised against
hastv action.