The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-04-07
MAY DEFEAT THE
CUBAN REBATE
Strenuous Opposition in House
to the Measure.
WOULD LET ISLAND COME IN
NEWLANDs WILLING TO AGREE
&c ANNEXATION.

II ASHINGTON, April 6.-The great
w battle over Cuban reciprocity.
which created such a protracted
struggle among the Republicans. both
in caucus ana in the committee on
ways and means. viii be fought on the
floor Of the house this week. The ulti-
mate passage Of the Payne bill. pro-
viding for a 20 per cent reduction on
the products of Cuba after the ueco-
tiatioE Of a reciprocity treaty and the
enactment Of our immigration laws by
the republic of cuba. is regarded as a
IofegGne conclusion, but the situation
IS complicated one. owing to the di-
vision among the Democrats as well
as the Republicans How far the Re
publican opponents of the proposed
legislation VIII carry their opposition is
not definitely determined. The strength
of this opposition has dwindled until il
probably numbers less than thirty.
on the other hand, up TO the pres
ent time large majority Of the Dem
ocrats favor the greatest possible free
dom OF trade with Cuba and would
vote for a deeper cut than the WAYS
and means bill proposes.
Others, ike Newlands Of Nevada, are
IN favor Of the immediate annexation
Of the islands. and under the leader
ship Of the Louisiana members will
oppose strenuOusly any tariff cOnces-
sions whatever. II is limited that the
attitude of the Democrats in the senate
who have fixed on a programme of
opposition there may result, before the
vote shall be take, = more unity Of
action on the part ne Democrats
OF the house Som he Republican
opponents OF the win s~eak against
IT, but the leaders Of the Republican
opposition show a strong disinclina-
ton 10 participate in the debate, on the
ground that there is no hope Of defeat
ing the bill and that their speeches
would become Democratic campaign
material in the coming congressional
campaign.
Bill Is Privileged.
The bill VIII be brought up on Tues
cay as revenue bill, which is privi-
Ieged under the rules. but no special
order win be brought in for its con-
sider3tion. IN this way the possibility
of defeat Of a rule through a com
binstion Of the Republican recalc;-
trants and the Democrats win be avoid
cd. The general debate viii be al
lowed 10 exhaust itself. The leaders
on both sides estimate that not more
than three days viii be consumed in
general debate. The real fight will
come subsequently when the bill is
read for amendment under the five
minUt rule 1t viii be then that the
Democrats win seek to offer amend
ments having for their purpose the
opening up of the whole tariff ques-
ton. While some Of these amendments
might command some Republican
votes, il they should actually come tc
a vote, they VIII be ruled out Of order
in the house, as they were in commit
tee, and the only method by which
they can be reached would be by over
ruling the decision of the chair. It is
certain that no nalf-dOzen. IT, indeed,
any, Republicans win SO TO this length.
So that the Republican leaders feel as
viii come 10 an actual vote. The only
amendments which win be held to be
germane and in order will be those in
creasing or decreasing the amount Of
the concession. and the leaders feel
reasonably safe in the prediction that
the caucus decision of 20 per cent re-
duCtiOn vii stand. It is their hope
that on the final vote the bill win be
passed by Republican votes. The Chi
nese exclusion bill which VIII come
to a final vote tomorrow. will COM
mand practicalci every vote in the
house. The only question is as to how
far the majority bill viii be amended
by the insertion of provisions to make
it more in line with the more drastic
subs.tu te, which has been offered by
the minority.