The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-13
INSURCENT SENATORS
Decide ON Course Regarding
Cuban Reciprocity Bill.

Washington June 13.-The Republic
can senators who are friendly to beet
sugar and who oppose the proposed leg
islation for reduction of the tariff on
Cuban products held a conference of al
most two hours duration and decided
to continue their opposition to the re-
ciprocity proposition. They will do this
by announcing to the advocates OF
tariff reduction that they will cast their
votes for the reciprocity bill as it pass
ed the house of representatives, includ-
ing the Morris amendment for the. abo-
litiOn Of the differential due to refined
sugar and that they will resist all
amendments that may be offered to 1t.
They Will propose two alternates. One
of these is to drop the subject and
make no further attempt to secure re-
ciproeity legislation. The other is to
accept the rebate plan.
The conference was held in Senator
Elkins' committee room. The commit
tee Of conciliatiOn, consisting of Senator
EIkins, Burrows and Jones (Nev.) ap-
pointed TO confer with the senators of
the Cuban committee, reported that
they had failed to secure concessions
from the opposition. The effect of the
Thurber testimony was thoroughly con-
sidered Immediately following this re-
port. A count of those present and
those absent and known to be in SYM
pathy with the movement led to the
conclusion that there are at least 19 Re-
puDnCau SENATORS " 10 cali DC uGDEI1b-
ed to stand together in any course
agreed on. Counting the full Demo-
cratic vote as favorable to the house
bill, the beet sugar advocates conclud-
ed that proposition to pass that meas
ure unamended would be the strongest
that could be put forward The COM
bination of the two forces would give
a total of 50 votes, or seven more than
a majority. There was objection on the
part of some of the senators present to
acceptance of the house bill carrying
the abolition of the refined sugar diff
ferential with the reciprocity provision,
but it was pointed out that by no other
course were the beet sugar senators
sure of receiving the full Democratic
vote. The suggestion also was made
that, rather than see the house Dill go
to a vote under such conditions the
friends of Cuban reciprocity either
would accept a rebate plan or permit
the sessions to come to a close without
ma king further attempt to secure ac-
tiOn. This line of reasoning prevailed
and the decision of the conference was
the conference committee with instruc-
tions to present the facts as here de-
tailed to the Republican members of
the committee on relations with Cuba
and to other senators who advocate
straight reciprocity
The committee, in making its report
on past efforts n secure harmonious
action by Republican senators dweit at
some length on the details of the bill
proposed by the reciprocity advocates.
They pointed out with special emphasis
the an endment abolishing the house
provision requiring Cuba s acceptance
of American immigration, labor and ex-
clusiOn laws. This action. it was de-
clared, would have at least the partial
effect of bringing American working
men into competition with cheap foreign
labor. and it was spoken of as being
most Objectionable. They therefore de-
cided that this arrangement also should
be resisted as should all others in case
the bill should come to a vote in the
senate.