The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-19
VICTORY FOR
RECIPR OCITY.
Idea For Which Congressman
Long PersisteHtly Fought
Finally Triumphs i'm House Re-
publican Caucus.
VOTE STOOD So TO 81
Reduction of 20 Per Cent i'm
Tariff Authorized
To Be in Effect Until December
/, 1903.

Washington, March 19-The advo-
Gates of Cuban reciprocity scored a de-
cisive victory at the conference of Re
publican members of the house of rep
resentatives, the proposition of Chair
man Payne of the ways and means
committee for a 20 per cent. reduction
of duty with the Sibley amendment,
limiting the duration of the reduced
rates to December L. 1903, being adopt
ed by a vote of So yeas to 81 nays. This
result was reached at l:30 o'clock
after a protracted debate followed by
series of exciting roll-calls. The first
test was when Mr.. Payne concluded
the speechmaking with a motion for
the previous question on all pending
propositions.
This motion prevailed. IS to Sc. A
vote was then taken a substitute
offered by Representative Dick 90 in
behalf of those opposing the reciprocity
plan, offering in its stead a plan Of
direct payment to Cuba covering sew
eral years. This was defeated, 81 to 79.
An amendment by Mr.. Morris (1inn.)
to take off the differential on refined
sugar was defeated. so to Y.
The ways and means proposition for
reciprocity, with the Sib1ey amendment
limiting its duration, was then agreed
to, IS to 81. While the voting was in
progress quite a number of those who
opposed the ways and means plan left
the chamber.
When the conference met about lao
members were in attendance, including
Speaker Henderson, Chairman Payne OF
the ways and means committee and
others who have figured prominently
in the contest
Chairman Payne made statement of
the difficulties encountered by the ar
bitratlng conference which has been
seeking for several days to bring the
two elements together. He frankly con-
fessed that nothing had been accom-
or e1c h str 10 hn6 Cd r~r1E ,-r111
to its original position. Mr.. Payne said
the proposition of the ways and means
committee now was in effect that pre-
scented by MIR. Sibley at the last confer
ence, namely, for 20 per cent reciprocity
limited to December, 1903
Representative Dick, 90 )one of the con-
fefeeS of the element opposing the ways.
and means committee concurred with
Mr.. Payne that no paragraph had been
made by the arbitrating body toward
reaching a solution At the same time
Mr.. Dick said, he was still hopeful of
ultimate agreement and he urged
deliberate action, in order that harmony
might prevail in the end. Mr. Dick
closed by presenting resolutions repre-
senting the views of the fcOnferees who
had represented the element opposing
the ways and means CON mittee as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
conference that the committee ways
and means be directed. to report to the
house bill for the relief of Cuba sub
stantially embodying the following pro-
visions:
THAT the president be authorized to
enter into a commercial agreement with
the government of Cuba when the same
shall have been organized and estab-
lished whereby, on account of the rela-
lions which have existed between the
United States since 1898 and in consid-
Grafton of such reduction of duties as
shall be satisfactory to the president on
goods, wares and merchandise, the
growth or product of the United States,
imported into Cuba. he shall agree to
pay each year for three years to the
government of Cuba a sum of money
equivalent to 20 per cent of the duties
collected and paid into the treasury of
the United States on goods, wares and
merchandise, the growth of the product
of the island of Cuba, imported into this
country"
Dick submitted a formal staten ent for
his side.
Representative Lacey Ga-) supported the
tive Hepburn Ia5 made a somewhat
satirical speech as to the relief which the
proposed reciprocal plan would give to
The speaking became general; Mr.; Bou-
Slinn.5. Mr., Littieheld Nfe.( and, Mr..
Burke Is. ID speaking on various phases
Mr.. Payne brought the discussion to
close with an earnest plea for the support
of the reciprocity proposition and mo-
ton that the previous question be ordered
all pending questions This brought the
question to a decisive issue rather unex- |
pectedly and the voting began amid con- |
siderable excitement. The several roll calls
resulted as already stated.
Immediately following the vote on the |
main issue the conference adjourned and |
the long pending controversy over Cuban |
reciprocity was determined, far as the |
Republican conference was concerned al |
though it still remains to be dealt with in |
the house. Fhe Payne resolution as adopt |
ed gives the general form of bill au-
thorizing the president to negotiate COM |
nIercial agreement with Cuba for recipro-
cal and equivalent concessions by which |
the rates of duty shall be reduced at least |
20 per cent ad valorem on all articles inn |
ported from Cuba into the United States. |
1t also provides that the United States |
emigration and exclusion laws shall be |
preliminary to the recip rocity. The Sibley |
a amendment which is adopted part |
of the Payne resolution. reciteS that the |
foregoing 20 per cent reduction shall be |
.-Iirnited in its duration and effect to the |
first day of December. 1903