The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-01
NOTHING SORDID IN IT
Senator Plat, While SEN
ator Teller Made Spirited Arxu-
ment Against It-InformatiOn ms TO
Arrest of American Citizens I'm
Russfa-Dfsagrees to House Amend
ments of Philippine Bill-Confer-
ence on General Deficiency Bill.
House Considers Contested Elec-
ton Case-Mr. Canncn to Object to
lions.

Washington, June 27.-Quite unex-
pectedly a sharp debate arose in the
senate today on the question of Cuban
reciprocity. Senator Teller, of Colora-
do, at whose instance the senate COM
mittee on Cuban relations made it's in
vestigation Of the subject, delivered a
spirited speech in opposition to reci-
procity with Cuba. He charged that
the entire reciprocity propaganda had
been backed by the American Sugar
Refining Company and by Americans
who were interested financially in Gu
ban sugar plantations. The purpose,
he said, was to strike down an impor-
tant agricultural industry of this coun-
try. He was willing to join in a gen.
eral revision Of the tariff to meet
changed conditions, but unless the du-
Il > on iron and steel and other products
were reduced together with those on
sugar, in order hat the arrangement
might be equitable, the beet sugar
growers never would consent to a re-
duction on their products.
Senator Plat, of Connecticut chair
man of the Cuban relations committee,
replied to the Colorado He
maintained that there was nothing
sordid il the desire to promote reci-
procal relations between the United
States and Cuba and said the making
of some concessions to Cuba was a plain
duty of this country. 1t was d duty
which this government owed to itself
as we'll as to Cuba, because absolutely
friendly relations with the new republic
were a necessary means of defense to
this country, unless the United States
should annex the island That he hop
ed would not be done, as he regarded
annexation as a grave menace to u
institutions.
Senator Pettus, of Alabama, offered
resolution asking h president for in
formation as to alleged arrest of Amer
lean citizens in Russia because of relig-
iouS belief. The resolution was adopt
ed.
The n disagreed to the house
amendments to the Philippine bill n
asked for a conference.
A conference on the general deficiency
appropriation bill was agreed to.
House of Representatives.
The house today began consideration
of the contested election cas- Of Horton
VS.. Butler in the Twelfth Missouri dis
trict. In this case the majority of the
committee DUN that the election was
so tainted with raj as to make it in
valid and recommended hat the seat
be declared vacant The minority found
that Mr.. Butler, the sitting member,
had been legally elected and recon-
mended hat he retain his .eat. Three
hours debate on a side were allowed.
TIE speakers today were Messrs. Smith,
of Colorado, and Bartholdt, Of Missouri,
in favor of the maj-rity and Mr.. Bowie,
of Alabama in favor of the minority
vote. The vote will be taken tomorrow.
Requests for unanimous consent for
which there is always a great demand
during the closing days of a session
were suddenly blocked today by Mr..
Moon, of Tennessee, who told his
friends tina he would object to all such
rights until he was recognized to ask
consideration of the bill to give h In
dian territory a territorial form of goV-
eminent.
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, announced
that he would oppose the acceptance OF
the Buffalo and Charleston exposition
amendments to the general deficiency
bill, conferees were appointed.
A bill was passed to amend the inter-
nal revenue laws so as to place perique
tobacco on a similar footing with other
tobaccos regarding packages.
The senate's request for a conference
O.. the Philippine civil government bill
was agreed to, and conferees were ap-
pointed.