The evening times., 1902-07-09
The Senator's Position
Explained and De-
Tended.
WHY He OPPOSED THE BILL
Unwilling to Open the Subject of Gen
eTaI Tariff Revision-FavOrs Either
Rebate or TTeaty-Invitation to
Cuba IN no Degree HuniIiating.


sition to the passage Of the Cuban reel
pToeIty bill, but those close 10 the Sen
ator insist that he was moved 70 this
opposition not because he VAS opposed
10 granting concessions TO Cuba. but be
cause he believed It would be impossible
10 bring the reciprocity bill into the
Senate without prcctpitattng a Eenerai
debate on the tarif that would have
been harmful to the business interests
By disturbing the confidence that now
prevails and creating a suspicion and
feeling Of ureasipess.
IN presenting his bill for annexation
1t is urged that Senator Eikins desired
TO call attention 10 the fact that the
annexation Of Cuba, like the annexation
Of Texas. is inevitable. a close friend
OF 1ir. Elkins, who is familiar with his
feelings On the subject. stated today
that when the facts became known -he
position OF the Senator would be appre-
cIated by the country.
senator Elkins.'' said the gentleman
auvded TO, "felt that il opposing reci-
procity with Cuba by means Of a bill
passed by Congress. IS was proposed. he
vas thoroughly IN accord with the views
a President Roosevelt and President
Mckinley. who favored the idea Of reel
pTocity with the nations Of Tie world
Would Provoke Disastrous Debate.
3I- Elkins represented to the Presf-
dent that to take up the House bill il
the Senate would provoke q long and dis
astroUs debate. and, perhaps. lead 20
general revision OF the tariff. which the
President and the leading and most
influential members OF his party in both
branches CT Congress we're very anxious
TO avoid
He aisc represented tc the President
that whatever financial relief Cuba
might need could be granted by means
Of rebate without iniury 70 any do
nestle industry Of this country. t was
his impression that the President agreed
with him at first, although later Mr
Roosevelt stated that the rebate system
would not be acceptable, as it might Of
fead the sensfbilitfes Of the Cubans. who
would be placed in the position Of. sup
plic2Gts. Mr. EIkins then proposed the
framing Of a reciprocity treaty by the
Executive. to be ratified by the Senate.
es are other reciprocity treaties This
proposition was at the time rejected.
but it IS now substantially assured that
II VIII be the means by which the OBJ
5eet OF the President VIII be finally at
tanned
Handnaiden of Protection.
Senator EIkfns took his keynote from
the annual message of the President. N
which he said: Reciprocity must be
treated as the handmaiden OF protee-
ton Our first duty is to see that the
protection granted by the tariff in every
case where II Is needed is maintained,
and that reciprocity be sought for, 50
far as It can be safely done, without in
jury 20 any of our home industries
Mr. Elkins argued. with number Of
ether Senator's, that reciprocity along
the lines OF the House bill would be in
furious TO at least one Of our home in
dustries,' and he believed that he was
thoroughly in accord with the doctrine
enunciated in the President message,
that reciprocity should not be sought
49, NA41A@ - -AA41-At l'4 4osG -A44 l-t-1 ~
home industries, which was the same
doctrine as maintained By Mckinley.
Blaine, and Harrison.
The Senator one day pithiIy defined
his stand by saying: There is no prece-
denl for Increasing Or lowering the
duties by legislation, except as & whole.
You cannot take links out OF chain and
stIu maintain the strength Of the chain.
or claim you have a chain at all
Was Not Parsimonious.
''Tbe fact that Senator EIkins was
willing 70 donate s6.eo0000 or S8,000, 900
year from the United States Treasury
BY means Of a rebate plan shows it was
rot his desire TO be parsimonlous with
the Dc1Fss Of Cuba.
7 happen TO know that Mr. Elkins Of
fered 10 support the House bin IL it
could be brought into the Senate and
passed unchanged. but thar proposition
was rejected am under the impress
sion also that the Senator would sup
port a reciprocity treaty should one be
submitted 10 the Senate by the Presi-
dent
Reasons for Annexation.
Senator Elklns has been literally
criticised for presenting q resolution In
Ylting Cuba TO become a part OF the
Unlted States. The claim has been