Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1902-04-19
DEMOCRATS TO STAND FIRM.

alno themselves 80 Noke 20 Apoian
the DITerentials on Refined Sugar
and Against the Previous cues
ton.
Washington. April 1.-THE Democrats
of the House at a caucus held tonight.
~ a very large majority estimated az
three 20 one. adopted the following resO-
lution. introduced by Mr. Swanson, of
Virginia:
Resolved. That We favor the removal
OF the diferential on refined sugar both
from Cuba and elsewhere. and believe
that such amendments are properly IN or
der. and We insist that it is the duty OF
All Democrats TO vote whenever oppoE-
tunity Is given 70 have these amend
ments added TO the pending bill. providing
for Cuban reciprocity. We are opposed 20
the adoption OF the previous question
when the bin IS reported 10 the House,
unless 10 shall have been properly amend
Cd I'm committee OF the whole as this
VIII prevent an opportunity for just and
proper amendment with recorded votes on
the same.
Resolved. further. That the action OF
this caucus Is binding"
The caucus was rather turbulent dur
Ing the early part OF the evening. but to-
ward the close the differences disappeared
and it broke up amid evidences OF har-
mony and good feeling. The action taken
tonight binds the Democrats TO vote 20
abolish the dinerental on refined sugar
and against the previous question.
The Democratic members OF the House
held caucus tonight for the purpose.
II possible. OF reaching an agreement 20
act AZ unit upon the Cuban reciprocity
bill which u 90 be voted upon tomorrow.
Those who were Instrumental IN calling
the caucus wanted the members OF their
party 70 present a united front upon the
proposition 20 take the difrerential OF re-
fined sugar. Representative Hay. OF Vlr-
ginia. presided. and Representative cow
herd. OF Missouri. acted as secretary
Einety-four Democrats were present
From the very outset the caucus was Of
an exciting character.
Mr.. Underwood. Of Alabama. who got
the fioor Immediately after the meeting
was called 10 order. threw q bombsheu
into the caucus by announcing that over
tures had come 70 him from the Repubii-
can side, by which Il was 70 be agreed
that the Republican leaders would aban-
don the Crumpacker resolution 20 inves-
tigate the Southern election laws n the
delegations from the States concerned
(North Carolina, South Carolina Aiaba-
ma. Mississippi. louisiana and virEiniaj
would aid the majority to close debate.
and would vote against the appeals which
Wiu be taken from the decision or the
chair when the motions 10 open up tho
bill TO general amendment are o7ered.
Mr.. Underwood declined 20 give the
name OF the Republican from whom these
assurances regarding the abandonment or
the Crumpacker resolution came and al
though arguing that it was 20 the inter
ests OF the States involved 20 accept the
offer made. he stated that the agreement
had not been positively accepted and Tor
Himself agreed to abide by the decision OF
the caucus. The Democratic vote on Wed
nesday 20 close debate came principally
from the States mentioned above.
Mr.. Swanson. OF Virginia offered the
nrst definite proposition for the caucus 70
consider resolution declaring q 20 be the
sense OF the caucus that the Democrats
should vote solidiy against the demand
for the previous question IN order to per-
nit the admission or amendments TO re-
i duce the tarin and upon the question OF
the germaneness OF such amendments n
necessary, 70 vote 20 overrule the chair.
He argued strongly that the Democrats
/ should stand soiidiy for the motion 10
/ take on the dinsrential on refined sugar
/ especially as there was at least chance
| OF winning a victory.
To this resolution Mr. williams or MIS-
sissippi. offered a substitute 70 bind the
/ Democrats TO vote for al propositions IN.
/ volving a reduction Of the tarir but "a
/ leave every Democrat free to vote his
convictions upon questions OF parliament
ary procedure. Mr.. williams maintained
tuaN unQeE the circumstances II would bf
] 20 the interests OF the Democrats from the
/ State where representations were threat.
ened by the Crumpaeksr resolution "a
abide by the understanding reached.
During the heated debate that followed
I Mr.. Burleson. or Texas. asked Mr.. Under.
wood n the Republican leaders had moi
eilenced Mr.. Crumpacker and his friends
on the Republican side. who were op-
posed 20 the reciprocity bill. by agreeins
/ 70 report the Crumpacker resolution. and
/ n they were not now trying to create !
detection on the Democratic side by osrer-
fnE 20 kill the resolution
/ Mr. Bankhead. OF Alabama. sided with
Mr.. Underwood and Mr. williams ans
Mr.. Cooper. OF Texas. and Mr.. Brazeale
/ OF Louisiana. with Mr.. Swanson. The tive
latter strongly urged their colleagues u
vote 20 abolish the direrential on rennet
sugar