The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-04-24
HOUSE MEMBERS REVOLT
ovERRULED THE DECISION OF
THE CHAIR.
And Adopted Morris Amendment Re.

SHA NooPkSu moTIiS HHlSNQITcnt ne
Moving the Differential on Sugar.
Washington, April 19.-The demo.
Gratis and the republican insurgents
rode rough shod over the house lead.
ers yesterday when the voting began
on the Cuban reciprocity bill. They
overthrow the ruling of the chair in
committee of the whole on the ques-
ton of the germaneness OF an amend
ment to remove the differential from
refined sugar during the existence of
the reciprocity agreement provided for
in the bill The vote to override the
decision of the chair, made by Mr..
Sherman. of New York, was III to 1870,
republicans to the number of thirty
seven joining with a solid democratic
vote to accomplish this result. Hav-
Ing won this preliminary victory, the
amendment was adopted in commit
tee, 1854 to Ill, and later in the house
by a still larger majority, 1919 to los.
On this occasion siXty-four republicans
voted with the democrats for the
amendment. The bill then was passed
by an overwhelming majority, 247 to
81. An analysis of the vote shows
that 124 republicans and 1913 demo-
Gratis voted for the amended bill and
AZ republicans and 10 democrats
against it. Mr.. Grosvenor, of Ohio,
was one of those who voted against
the bill.
The voting on the bill was the cul-
mination of a long struggle which be.
gan almost with the opening of this
session of congress, and after two
olyo IF lo1>o
which much bitterness was aroused.
Today's debate was of an exceedingly
lively character, the feature being
echoes of Thursday nights democratic
caucus. To that caucus the defeat of the
republican leaders who sought to pass
the bill without amendment is attrib.
utable. Previous to the holding of the
caucus, the democrats were very
divided, and the opposition of the re.
publican beet sugar men showed signs
of disintegrating. Today, when it be.
came apparent that the democrats
would act together, the beet sugar
men decided at meeting attended by
thirty-two OF them to take the bit in
their teeth and oyerru]e the chair. As
soon as this combination was effected,
the republican leaders realized that
they would be defeated so far as the
removal of the differential was con.
cerned, and Mr.. Payne, the republican
leader, contented himself with warn.
Ing his beet sugar colleagues that in
removing the differential they were
taking off bit of protection placed in
the Dingley bill especially for the
benefit of the beet sugar producers.
The. democrats attempted to follow
up their advantage when the differen-
tial amendment was adopted by offer.
ing the Babcock bill and other amend.
ments to reduce the Dingley sched-
ules, but democrats did not press them
vigorously. One of the surprises of
the session was the attempt of Mr..
Roberts, of Massachusetts, republican,
to take the duty off hides. He 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
establishment of an independent gov.
eminent in Cuba and enactment of
said government of immigration, ex.
clusion= and contract labor laws as
restrictive as those of the United
States, to negotiate reciprocity trade
agreement with Cuba by which, in
Iui ~ !oI equlNaie1t concessions, the
United States will grant reduction
of 20 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
sugars above number 16 Dutch stand.
ard is to be 1925 cents per pound.
The members of the Iowa delegation
who voted for the Morris amendment,
removing the sugar differential, were
Conner, Cousins, Haugen, Hepburn,
Hull, Lacey, Smith and Thomas. Hep.
burn voted against it.