The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-04-17
CONGRESS TALKING.
The House TakesUp the Cuban Reciprocity
Bill and the Senate Talks on About
Chinese Exclusion.

The long-talked of, caucused over, and
hslf-feared question of reciprocity with
| Cuba was finally taken up in the House
of Representatives last week, and dis
cussion was begun which it was expected
would run for nine or ten days. As had
been anticipated, a radical difference was
at once developed among the Republicans,
while the Democrats showed that they
were still at sea. Mr.. Richardson's fol-
lowers, however, went so far as to sup
port the Ways and Means Committee upon
the question of consideration. Beyond
this point the Democrats showed as radi-
cal diversity of opinion upon the merits
of the question as did the Republicans.
During the debate it was developed that
the Republican leaders were not prepared
to stand fast by the schedules of the pres
ent tariff law, and that it was the policy
of Mr.. Dingley and the leaders when his
bill was enacted into law TO make some of
the schedules higher than they should be-
in order to have something to trade with
when the question of reciprocity treaties
should come up. Still, there is no inten.
ton, at this time, to enter upon n general
tariff revision, although considerable
number Of Western Republicans, under the
lead of Mr.. BIbcock, of Wisconsin, stand
ready to revise some of the schedules, and
reduce the duties, especially upon iron
and steel.
The beet sugar men, under the lead of
the Michigan delegation, on the Republi-
can side. and a considerable Democratic
contingent from the Gulf States. repre-,
senting cane sugar interests. were found
working together to defeat the reciprocity
proposition.
The bill proposed reduction of 90 per
cent. upon Cuban products entering the
United States in return for similar CON
eminent that is to be set up next month,
and the enactment of immigration and
contract labor laws similar to those of the
United States. Messers. Payne of New
York, and GrOsvenor, of Ohio, made the
principal speeches in advocacy of the meas
ure, and Mr.. William A. Smith, of Mchi-
gan. led the fight against it.
The Senate was occupied for the most
part in the discussion of the Chinese E1>
clusion Act, Mr.. CullOm, of Illinois, Chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Rela,
tions, making a strong argument against
1t. maintaining that while he was in favor
of excluding Chinese laborers. yet the pres
ent bill went too far and was a distinct
violation of our treaty with China. He
was supported in opposition to the meas
ure by Mr.. Gallinger, of New Hampshire,
and Mr.. Hoar, Of Massachusetts, while
Mr. Dillingham;, of Vermont. and Mr.. Per
kIns, of California, and Mr. Patterson, of
Colorado, made the principal arguments in
favor of the measure
On Thursday the Senate suspended the
discussion OF the Chinese Exclusion bill
long enough to pass the Annual Postof-
nee Appropriation bill. and on Friday
there was diversion caused by speech
by Mr.. Depew, of New York, concerning
the proposed amendment to the Constitu
ton providing for the election of Senators
by popular vote, in which he referred to
Southern election methods, and precipi-
tated lively three hours debate. in which
senators Money and McLaurin, of Mis-
slssIppl. warmly defended the South.
Mr.; Blackburn, of Kentucky, also took
Mr.. Depew to task for his criticisms of
Kentucky election methods.
On Saturday both Houses of Congress-
met, the Senate resuming the discussion
OF the Chinese Exclusion bill, and the
hoIise taking up Private Pension Bills.
The Senate received several MESA pes
from the President, among which was fhe
approval Of the bill for the retirement of
officers Of the Revenue Marine Cutter
Service, and also the return of bill
granting an increase of pension to Robert
>. Woodbury. because the soldier had died
since the bill was passed.
The House passed a bill granting n PEN
sion of $1,000 a year for the widow Of
late President Mckinley. A large mum,
Der of other private pension bills were
passed, list of which will be printed next
week.
An agreement was reached in the Sen.
ate to vote upon the Chinese Exclusion
Act on Wednesday, 10th inst