The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-04-25
From our regular correspondent.


allied itself to the standard of beet sugar
and extreme protection And yet, to the
uninitiated every faction appeared TO be
voting against its own interests and sug-
gested general political hari-kiri The
beet sugar men were voting to remove the
differeutial tariff from refined sugar. The
stannch supporters of the protection pol
icy, Speaker Henderson and his follow
ing, were voting to lower the tariff and
the democrats were voting for an amend
ment which they knew TO be inimical to
reduced duties between the United States
and Cuba, policy which they had pre-
viously described as go per cent CONVEX
sion' to their views.
**x
To the initiated the position on the
floor of the House while anomalous was
reasonably clear. The beet sugar sup
porters had determined TO amend the
Cuban reciprocity bill to the extent of
taking the differential duty off of refined
D$iiSNibS mai ny oO uOliiS lACy
would defeat the whole measure, it having
been generally conceded that the Senate
would never pass the bill so amended.
The republican leaders were voting for
that policy of reciprocity which they con-
slider that they have inherited from Blaine
and Mckinley. The democrats were
striking blow at the profits of the Sugar
Trust and so regarded their action con-
sistent, even if it defeated partial reduc-
ton of the tariff.
x*x
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 may years.
He presented clear and forceful argu-
ment in support Of his views. He had
been preceded by Mr. Richardson of
Tennessee who had been equally logical
in his exposition of the situation. Fol-
lowing Mr.. Dalzell's speech Judge Morris
of Minnesota, presented the amendment
removing the differential on refined sugar
and Immediately the point of order was
| raised. After some hours debate on this
question the Chair ruled out the amend
ment and Immediately Mr.. Tawney, the
beet sugar leader, appealed from the
Chairs decision. The appeal carried amid
tumultuous cheers from the democrats
and beet sugar men, and after the usual
routine business, the Speaker declared
the bill for Cuban reciprocity, so amend.
ed as to remove the extra duty on refined
sugar, carried by vote of PAT to So The
fate of the bill now rests with the Senate,
but it is generally believed that it will moi
pass except so amended as to preclude
the possibility of the Houses agreeing tc
the amendments. The battle for Cuban
reciprocity, in word, is considered lost
~
After rejecting the Chinese Exclusion
bill which had been under consideration
the Senate on last Wednesday re-enacted
the Geary law and there is little doubt
but that the House will concur so that the
law may be placed on the statutes before
May 5th, 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 rested from its labors but
the Philippine government bill is the
regular order" and is being considered
~
Notwithstanding the statement given
out at the War Department last week,
that General Miles would be retired at an
early date, it is believed that Mr.. Roose.
welt has, out of Difference to the wishes Of
prominent republicans, reconsdered the
matter and that no such action will be
taken for the present. There is rumor
abroad that the President will soon ask
the resignation of Secretary Root. 1t is
known that many of the members of his
party are bringing pressure to bear to that
end but it seems doubtful if Mr.. Roose-
welt will consent to dispense with the
man who is his most intimate friend and
advisor in the Cabinet. There is no doubt
that recent disclosures in the Senate COM
mittee on Philippines have cast discredit
on the Secretary of War, but only because
he is at the head Of the War Department,
and those who know Mr.. Root best are
confident that he has had no knowledge
of the cruelties which, in some instances
at least have been practiced in the
islands. The transport scandal antedates
Mr.. Roots tenure of Office, so that he
eau hardly be held to blame for that.
Nv
l had the pleasure of meeting Mr..
Santos-Dumont one day last week at a
reception given him by DR.. de Assis-
Brasil, the Brazilian Minister at Wash
ington. The distinguished aeronaut
seems scarce more than boy, he is but
twenty-seven. Mr.. Santos Dumont has
come to this country to confer with the
managers of the st. Louis Worlds Fair
IN regard to the proposed air-ship contest
which they are considering. He told me
1t would cost him not less than $50, 900 to
enter i'll the competition. For some Pc
culiar reason the Treasury Department
has refused to permit him to bring the
paraphernalia necessary to the operation
of his air-ship into this country free of
duty, although he hopes to get the de-
cislon reversed.