The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-17
Opposition to Measure in
the House Slowly
Weakening.
SOhE DEMOCRATIC VOTES NEEDED
Republicans Concede That on Straight
Party Question They Will Need Vote
Of Opposition to Garry Bill Through
Beet Sugar Men to Fight 1t Out.

Opposition to the Cuban reciprocity bill
in the House is gradually weakening. This
was made evident yesterday by the vote
on the motion of Mr.. Payne, the chairman
of the Ways and Means Committee, to
limit general debate on the measure to
. o'clock Friday afternoon.
Mr.. Richardson. the Democratic leader,
said when Mr.. Payne asked consent for
such an agreement that he had no objec-
ton to such a Limitation. This forced
the hand of the beet sugar Republicans,
and an objection came from them. Mr.
Payne then moved that general debate
close at the time mentioned. On stand
ing vote all OF The Democrats opposed it
with sufficient OF the beet sugar Republic
cans to defeat ii, 100 to 49,
This caused the leaders to demand a
roll call, whsreupon the motion was car
ried, 153 to 123. The Democrats divided on
the proposition on the yea and nay vote,
some opposing II and others supporting
it.
Republicans Have Hope.
The Republican leaders now feel quite
confident that they will be able to pass
the bill, although vote may not be
reached until Saturday or Monday They
concede, however, that On the straight
question of reciprocity that they will be
forced to depend upon votes from the
Democratic side in order to pass the
Payne bill.
There are about thirty-fiye Republic
cans who will oppose it. The Democrats
have number of amendments which they
will offer. and the discussion OF them
even under the five-minutc rule vii! con-
sumo considerable time test of how
far the Insurgents will go in opposition
to their party leaders and in AN alliance
with the Democrats will come up on the
Democratic proposition TO remove the diff
ferential on the refined sugars of the
world.
few Republicans are expected to sup
port this amendment but there is little
prospect that there will be enough of them
to secure its adoption. Practically, the
only hope the beet sugar men have of pre-
venting the passage Of the bill il that the
Democrats may desire 10 have it recon-
mitted TO the Ways and Means Commit
tee.
On such a proposition the beet sugar
Republicans would doubtless vote with
the Democrats, and if the latter vote
solidly that way it would at least delay
the bill, if not effectively prevent its en-
actment at this session.
Debate Without Interest.
The debate yesterday was without espe-
cial interest and was not followed close
~ Mr. Henry c. Smith. of Michigan, one
of the leaders of the insurgents" who
was the last speaker, in mild criticism
of the President for his Interference In
affairs of legislation declared that if the
only reason that could be advanced fer
the passage OF the bill was that the Presi-
dent wanted it, then 1t ought to be de-
feated. The Michigan Republicans. he
said, were with the President when he
was right and against him when he was
wrong.
The first speaker was Mr.. Roberts fRep.,
Mass.) in favor OF the bill. He devoted
his remarks TO the question of the duty
on hides. advocating its repeal.
Mr.. Bartlett Dem. Cal opposed the
bill, declaring. as Wade Hampton and Sen
ator Vance. of North Carolina. said in
1890, when reciprocity WAS under consid-
Grafton in the Mckinley bill that it IS
sham and u fraud upon the Democratic
party.
Relief Rot Adequate.
The objection found by Mr. Patterson
Dem. Tenn to the pending bill was that
it will not afford adequate relief TO III.
Cuban planter. but as it was in line vita
the Democratic policy of tariff reform,
If nothing more or better could be Sc
cured. he would vote for it regardless of
its source or who might oppose it.
Oppose the Bill.
Mr.. Corligs Rep.. MiehJ and Mr.. Brors- |
sard Dem. La followed in opposition TO |
the bill. The latter said that whether |
the Sugar Trust got the benefit Of the pro- |
posed reduction or the Cuban planter, the |
Louisiana planter would have 10 stand a
cut of 90 per cent in the price of his |
sugar. Under present conditions, he said, !
the Sugar Trust bought Louisiana sugar |
at BIG of a cent pound less than il |
paid for Cuban sugar in New York
The Louisiana planter had no other pur-
chaser for his product, and if he refused |
to sell at the price named by the trust !
officials they would say "aIl right; we can |
wait" But the planter could not wait. |
and must sell at the best price he could |
get.
Planters Destroy Cane.
Mr.. Littleileld rep. Maine) asked II 1t
we're true that planters in Louisiana were
destroying seed cane and blowing up
heir stubble?
Mr. Broussard replied that 1t was true.
With two brothers he owned sugar plan
alton. They had thrown their seed cane
no toll, md f,afr lan in I