New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-18
A BARGAN ALLEGED.
HAVE REPUBLICANS AGREED To DROP
THE CRUMPACKER RESOLUTION?

Washington, April 1.-THE Democratic mem
bers of the House held caucus tonight for
the purpose. if possible. of reaching an agree
nnent to act as a unit on the Cuban Reciprocity
bill which is 70 be voted tomorrow. Those
who were instrumental in calling the caucus
wanted the members of their party to present
a united front the proposition to take the
diferentiaI off refined sugar. Representative
Hay of Virginia presided and Representative
Cowherd. of Missouri. acted as secretary.
Nfnety-four Democrats were present.
From the outset the caucus was exciting. Mr.
Underwood. of Alabama. who got the floor i'm
mediateIy after the meeting called to order,
threw bombshelI into the caucus by announc-
ing that overtures had come TO him from the
Republican side by which it to be agreed
that the Republican leaders would abandon the
Crumpacker resolution to investigate the South
ern elections laws if the delegations from the
States concerned North Carolina. South Caro-
lima. Alabama. mississippi Louisiana and Vir-
gfnial would aid the majority to close debate
and would vote against the appeals which will
be taken from the decisions of the Chair when
the motions to open up the bill to general
amendment offered Mr. Underwood de-
cIined to give the name of the Republican from
whom these assurances regarding abandonment
of the Crumpacker resolution came. and. al
though arguing that it was to the interest of
the States involved to accept the offer. he said
that the agreement had not been positively
accepted and for himself he agreed TO abide
by the decision of the
The Democratic vote on Wednesday to close
debate came principa .Iy from the States mem
toned above
LIVELY DEBATE IN THE CAUCUS
Mr. Swanson OF Virginia offered the first def
mite proposition-a resolution declaring it to be
the sense of the caucus that the Democrats
should vote solidly against the demand for the
previous question in order TO permit the admis-
sion of amendments to reduce the tariff, and on
the question Of the germaneness of such amend
ments if necessary to vote to overrule the
Chair He argued strongly that the Demo-
Gratis should stand sOIidly for the motion to
take off the differential refined sugar. espe-
ciauy as there was at least chance of winning
a victory.
Mr.. Williams. of Mississippi. offered substi-
tute to bind the Democrats to vote for all prOpo-
sitions involving reduction of the tariff. but
to leave every Democrat free TO vote his con-
victions on questions of parliamentary pro-
cedure. Mr.. Williams maintained that under the
circumstances it would be to the interests OF
the Democrats from the States whose repre-
sentation was threatened by the Crumpacker
resolution abide by the understanding
reached.
In the heated debate that followed Mr.. Burle-
SON of Texas asked Mr.. Underwood if the Re-
publican leaders had not silenced Mr. Crum-
packer and his friends on the Republican side
who were opposed to the reciprocity bill, by
agreeing to report the Crumpacker resolution.
and if they not now trying to create a
detection on the Democratic side by Offering TO
kill the resolution. Mr. Bankhead, of Alabama.
sided with Mr.. Underwood and MIR. Williams.
and Mr. Cooper, of Texas. and Mr.. BreaZeale, or
Louisiana, with Mr. Swanson The Two latter
strongly urged their colleagues TO vote to aboi-
ish the diferential on refined sugar
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
In the course of the debate which followed it
developed that the Williams resolution was in
terpreted TO constitute instruction to the
Democrats to vote for the bill when the final
vote was reach. Both Mr.. Bankhead. of Ala
hama. and Mr. Williams. of Mississippi.
hr,,ed the terms of the proposition made TO Mr.
Underwood by the Republicans. Mr.. Williams
argued that it should be accepted. not so much
because of the threat of reducing Southern rep
resentation to prevent the opening up or
the race question in the South
Mr. De Almond, of Missouri. and j. r. Will
Jams of Illinois. supported the Swanson reso-
luton in forcible speeches This resolution
specifically committed the Democrats to vote
against ordering the previous question. and then
declared IL to be the of the caucus thai
an amendment TO abolish the differential on re-
ard the close of the session a number of amend
ments to the pending resolutions were offered.
and also several other independent propositions.
one Of which was to make the action or the
caucus binding.
All these except the last. were withdrawn
voted down. and by large majority the swan
son resolution adopted. and also the resolu-
tion making the action of the caucus binding
on all the Democrats of the House