Gilpin observer., 1902-04-24
BEET SUGAR VICTORY
REFINED SUGAR AMENDMENT.


Cuban Reciprocity Bill Amended and
Passed in the Houss-Thirty-
Seven Republican, Join with a
Solid Democratic Vote.
Washington, April 10-The Demo-
Gratis and Republican insurgents rode
rough shod over the House leaders
yesterday when the voting began on
the Cuban reciprocity bill. They over
threw the ruling of the chair in COM
mittee of the whole on the question
| of the germaneness of an amendment
to remove the differential from refined
sugar during the existence of the reel
pr0city agreement provided for in the
bill.
The vote to overrule the decision of
the chair, made by Mr.. Sherman of
New York, was Ill to $50, Republi-
cans to the number Of thirty-seven
joining with a solid Democratic vote
to accomplish this result. Having won
this preliminary victory, the amend
ment was adopted In committee, 164 to
III, and later in the House by still
larger majority, 100 to 1O5. On this
occasion sixty-four Republicans voted
with the Democrats for the amend
ment. The bill then was passed by an
overwhelming majority, 247 to 81.
An analysis of the vote showed that
la Republicans and 123 Democrats
voted for the amended bill and forty
two Republicans and ten Democrats
against it.
The voting on the bill was the culmi-
marion a OF Un1n ial,
almost with the opening of this session
of Congress, and after two weeks Of
continuous debate, during which much
bitterness was aroused. To-day's de-
bate was of an exceedingly lively
character, the feature being echoes OF
last nights Democratic caucus.
To that caucus the defeat of the Re-
publican leaders who sought to pass
the bill without amendment is attrib-
utable. Previous to the holding Of the
caucus the Democrats We're very much
divided, and the opposition of the Re
publican beet sugar men showed signs
OF disintegrating. To-day when 1t be-
came apparent that the Democrats
would act together the beet sugar men
decided at meeting attended by thir-
ty-two of them, to take the bit in their
teeth and Overrule the chair.
AS soon as this combination was
effected the Republican leaders real
1Zed that they would be defeated, SO
far as the removal of the differential
was concerned, and Mr.. Payne, the
Republican leader, contented himself
with warming his beet sugar colleagues
that in removing the differential they
were taking off a bit of protection
placed in the Dingley bill especially
for the benefit of the beet sugar pro-
ducers.
The Democrats attempted to follow
UP their advantage when the differeu-
til amendment was adopted by offer |
Ing the BabcOck bill and other amend |
ments to reduce the Dingley schedules, |
but on these amendments the Repub- |
licans declined to stand with them,
and the Democrats did not press them |
vigorously. One of the surprises OF |
the session was the attempt of Mr..
Roberts, Massachusetts Republican,
to take the duty of hides. Ge offered |
two amendments and appealed once |
from the decision of the chair, but was !
voted down each time.
The bill, as passed, authorizes the |
President, as soon as may be after the |
of an Independent gov
ernment in Cuba and the enactment |
by said government of immigration,
exclusion and contract labor laws as |
restrictive as those of the United |
states, to negotiate n reciprocal trade |
agreement with Cuba by which, In re-
turn for equivalent concessions, the |
United States will grant reduction |
of twenty per cent. from the Dingley |
rates on goods coming into the United |
states from Cuba, such agreement to |
continue until December 1, 1903. Dur
ing the existence OF such agreement |
the duty on refined sugars and all su-
gars above No. 16 Dutch standard to |
be 1.S25 per pound.