The Washington times., 1902-04-21
Civil Government to Be
Discussed in Every Phase
by Democrats.
CUBAN TARIFF QUESTION
Bill Passed by House Gives Senators
Much Concern-Conferenc With Pres
ident an Event of Sunday-Leaders in
Doubt as to Action.

Doubt as to Action.
The Senate will take up the Philippine
civil government bill in earnest this week
1t was given the right of way formally
several days ago. hut Mr.. Morgan wished
to deliver his speech on the Nicaragua
canal. and occupied a day at that, and
there were speeches Of regret delivered to
the memory OF the late Senator Kyle of
South Dakota on Saturday, so that moth
ing has been accomplished on the bill ex-
cept its first reading. 1t is probable that
it VIII be taken up for debate today and
that it will occupy the time Of the
Senate pretty steadily for several weeks.
The Democrats intend to go into every
phase of the Philippine situation, inclGd-
ing an exhaustive discussion of the his
tory of the American occupation of the
archipelago and an even more exhaustive
NOT to say disuursive discussion of the
future. Some people say that there is no
possibility that the bill will be passed
before the end of Nav.
The passage of this bill. however, is
forcScne conclusion, and for this reason
there is no acute interest in the debate
on it.
On the length OF the Philippines debate
depends in large measure also the fate of
the Nicaragua canal bill. There will be
no chance for canal legislation until after
both Cuba and the Philippines have been
taken care of The canal bill will need
considerable time itself. and its friends
fear that If it is not called up before June
the chances will he rather against its be-
ing voted on at this session. 1t is part
of the steering committees program,
however, to pass a canal bill, and the
leading Republicans all say that this will
he dore even if Congress remains in ses-
sion all sumner.
The Cuban Tariff.
Republican leaders of the Senate are
not very well pleased with the action
CT the House on the Cuban reciprocity
bill They are someThat worried over the
situation in the Senate which has thus
teen more than ever complicated. but
they are not in that state of hysteria pic
tured b some OF the beet sugar Repub-
licans of the HOUSE, who think they have
effcctrally blocked the effort for Cuban
tariff legislation.
In the opinion OF Representative Can
non. one of the really able leaders of
the House CT Representatives, the only
losers by the striking Of CT the diferen-
tial will be the beet sugar men them
selves. They have now voted away 20
per cent Of their protection in addition %
the diTcTential. and apparently have gain
ed nothing except to embarrass their
party colleagues of the Senate and House
They have not made it impossible for
the Senate to pass a bill. The Senate,
never having intended to frame measure
on the lines OF that passed by me House,
is free to go ahead on its own proposition,
as it vas before the vote of the House
was taken.
The overwhelming Republican vote. az
ter it was amended, in opposition to the
general tariff amendments is warrant
enough for the Senate Republicans TO so
ahead and perfect bill, and this is What
they iatend to do.
House Bill to Be Committed.
When the House bill reaches the SEN
ate it viii be referred to the Committee
en- Cuban Relations. of which Senator
Plat of Connecticut is chairman.
It has been an open secret for some
time that there are a large number of
Republican Senators, probably as many
as fifteen, who are strongly opposed to
the passage of any Cuban tarin bill at
this session, and they have declared all
along they would have the strength TO
prevent any bill from coming to vote.
Undoubtedly these Senators were some
what encouraged By the action of their
party colleagues in the House. but it is
not at all certain that they Will succeed
in defeating legislation.
Indeed. the NEST influential of the Re
publican Senators declare that it is an
absolute political necessity to grant the
relief demanded by Cuba. and that no
combination OF Senators from beet sugar
States will be able to postpone action.
There are a number OF Republican Sen
ators also who, while willing to vote TO
Cuba the concessions recommended by the
President, will demand that Cuba shall
first negotiate a treaty with the United
States eInbodying the terms of the piatt
amendment. and then it will be time
enough to consider ways and means for
returning her commercial relief.
New Measure to Be Submitted.
without waiting for the vote in the
House of Representatives. the Republican
Senators favorable 10 Cuban tariff lesis-
lation have been Informally considering
the subject.
The Senate has never intended to report
any such complicated legislation as that
set forth in the bill passed by the House.
They have had in mind much more di-
rect method Of accomplishing a reduction
IN the tariff.
What they have considered is what they
will probably now report to the Senate
in due time. II will be bill providing
simply that whenever Cuba shall grant a
reduction Of the tariff rates on United
States products equivalent to a similar
reduction on the products OF Cuba into
this country the President shall announce
the proclamation that thereafter IS per
cent of the duties Of the Dingley tariff |
act shall be collected on Cuban impOrta- |
lions. [
Nothing VIII be said about immigration |
or the contract labor laws or the differ |
rurfqI on refined sugars, and when that |
III is passed IL viii be the duty Of the |
conference committee to agree to a meas |
rro that will be indorsed by both houses |
and signed by the President
Confer With President |
Senator Platt Of Connecticut. chairman
Of the Committee on Relations with
Cuba. had an extended conference with |
the President last night. when. it is be
leycd. they discussed the situation
brought about in the Senate by the ac-
tiou of the House in passing the Cuban |
rasiprocity tariff bill
Senator Aldrich OF Rhode Island, the |