The age-herald., 1902-03-19
ADOPT TWENTY PER CENT
 REDUCTION WITH LIMIT
Test Vote Came Late at Night After Lengthy Debate In Conference, the Result Standing
 6 to q.
WASHINGTON, March ia-The ad-


 V N scored a decisive victory tonight at the conference of Republican members of the house of representatives, the pro- position of Chairman Payne of the ways and means committee, for twenty per cent reduction of duty, with the Sibley amendment, limiting the duration of the reduced rates to December 1, 1903, being adopted by vote of S5 yeas to Sl nays This result was reached at 1:30 o'clock after a protracted debate followed by series of exciting roll calls. The first test was when MT. Payne concluded the speech making with a motion for the previous question on all pending propositions
 This motion prevailed, 7s to SC. A vote was then taken on a substitute offered by Representative Dick of Ohio in behalf of those opposing the reciprocity plan, offering in its stead a plan of direct pay ment to Cuba covering several years. This was defeated, 57 to 79. An amend ment by MT. Morris, Minnesota, to take off the differential on refined sugar, was defeated, 50 to 72.
 The ways and m means proposition for reciprocity with the Sibley amendment limiting its duration, was then agreed to, 85 to 31. While the voting was in pro- gress quite a number of those who op- pose the ways and means plan left the chamber.
 About 14O 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 a statement of the difficulties encountered by the arbi- trating conference, confessing that noth- ing had been accomplished, as each side had adhered firmly to its original posi- tion. MT. Payne said the position of the ways and means committee now was in effect that presented by MT. Sibley at the last conference namely, for twen- ty per cent reciprocity limited to De cember, 1903.
 Representative Dick of Ohio, one of the conferees of the element opposing the ways and means committee while concurring with MT. Payne that no pro- gress had been made by the arbtrating body toward reaching a solution, said he was still hopeful of an ultimate agree ment, and he urged deliberate action in order that harmony might prevail MT. Dick closed by presenting the fol- lowing resolutions, representing the views of these conferees with whom he was allied.
 Dicks Resolution.
 Resolved, That it is the sense of this conference that the committee on ways and means be directed to report to the house a bill for the relief of Cuba sub stantiaIly 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 established, whereby on account of the relations which have existed between the United States and Cuba since 1S9S and in consideration 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 or the product of the island of SuDd lInpOTIed lItO tiuS CouhliJs
 In support of these resolutions Mir. Dick submitted the following formal statement for his side:
 "Adhering to the statement we have heretofore made to this conference, ex- pressing our reasons for opposing re- duction of the duties on the products of Cuba, and in the interest Of harmony and for the purpose of affording relief to Cuba, if such relief is needed, aad mind ful of the fact recently developed that during the last fiscal year there was deficit In the public treasury of the island of Cuba of nearly s50O000. we submit the foregoing resolution with the following additional statement of our reasons there for:
 Will Oppose Relief.
 "1 It will afford relief to the govern ment and people of Cuba.
 ''2 It makes certain that Cuba and her people, and no one else, will be the bene- flciaries of our action.
 ''3 By its adoption we keep faith with the people of this country and with the people of Cuba
 A It does not violate our national party platform of 1896 and 1900.
 "5. It does not disturb existing condi- tions in this country.
 ''6 It does not alter or modify any schedule of the present tariff law.
 ''7 It does not injure or discourage any domestic industry or prevent its further development
 ''s. It avoids an inopportune agitation of questions affecting industrial conditions of unparalleled prosperity.
 "9. It would secure reciprocal trade con sessions from Cuba and give dme to ascertain the value of such trade relations between the two republics under existing conditions.
 '10. It's reciprocal features furnish consideration which makes the proposed measure of undoubted constitutionality. It is as competent for Congress to pur- chase trade concessions from foreign