The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-19
VICTORY FOR RECIPROCITY.
Republican Represe ntatives Adopt
Committee Plans With the SibIey
Amendment.

Washington, March 1S.-The advo-
Gates of Cuban reciprocity scored a
decisive victory tonight at the con-
ference of Republican members of the
House of Representatives the PROPOSE
ton of Chairman 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 Dec. /, 1903, being
adopted by a vote of IS yeas to 81
nays. This result was reached at IL: so
O'clock after a protracted debate, fol-
lowed by a 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, rs to Sc. A vote was then
taken on substitute offered
by Representative Dick of Ohio.
in behalf ofs those opposing
the reciprocity plan, offering
in its stead plan of direct payment
to Cuba covering several years. This
was defeated, 81 to 10. An amendment
by Mr.. Morris of Minnesota. to take
! off the differential of refined sugar was
defeated, 80 to 70. The Ways and Means
proposition for reciprocity, with the
Sibley amendment limiting it's dura-
ton, was then agreed to, So to 81. While
the voting was in progress quite a
number of those who oppose the Ways
| and Means Committee plan left the
chamber.
AT the opening of the conference
Chairman Payne made a statement,
frankly confessing that nothing had
been accomplished in settling differ
cid cd Itr
to it's original position. Mr.. Payne
said the position of the Ways and
Means Committee was now in effect
that presented by Mr.. Sibley at the
last conference, namely, for 20 per cent.
| reciprocity limited to December 1903.
Representative Dick of Ohio present.
ed a resolution representing the views
of the conferees who had represented
the element opposing the Ways and
Means Committee, as follows:
That the President be authorized
to enter into a commercial agreement
with the government of Cuba, when
the same shall have been organized
| and established, whereby in considera~
ton 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 6dCn year LOT three years 10 LIle
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, ware and
merchandise, the growth or product
of the island of Cuba imported into
this country"
In support of this resolution Mr..
Dick submitted a formal statement
declaring that the plan proposed
would afford relief both to the gov
! eminent and people OF Cuba without
| injury to any domestic industry in this
| country.
A general discussion followed which
was brought to "a close by Mr.. Payne's
motion for the previous question.
Voting was then begun.
The Paine resolution as adopted to-
night gives the general form of bill,
authorizing the President to negotiate
a commercial agreement with Cuba for
reciprocal and equivalent concessions,
by which the rates of duty shall be re-
duced at least 20 per cent. ad valorem
on all articles imported from Cuba into
the United States. 1t also provides
that the United States immigration and
exclusion laws shall be enacted by
the government of Cuba as a prelimi-
nary to reciprocity. The Sibley amend
ment, which is adopted as part of the
Payne resolution, recites that the fore
going 20 per cent. reduction shall be
Limited in its duration and effect to
the first day of December, 1909"