The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-08
REVISION
tariff FAVORED |.
Democrats viii Advocate During
Cuban Discussion.
MATTER COMES e; UP TODAY Y.
Democrats Viii Not !. Lose opportunity
of Making Campaign Material.
Personal News Of
Washington.
MATTER COMES UP TO-DAY
fsnacI., D,anatch 10 The Times

Especial Dispatch to The Times.)
e WASHINGTON, D. c., April 7.-The!
Cuban reciprocity question will come up
in the House tomorrow, when the Payne
bill, providing for a 20 per cent. reduc-z
tion Of the tariff on all Cuban products
is to receive the consideration OF the
lower branch of Congress. Whether or
not the bitter and notable struggle that
went on in the ranks of the Republican
party. over this question. a few weeks ago:
will be revived during the consideration
of the bill by the whole House remains
to be seem. Just now it seems doubtful,
because the ranks OF the opposition. Re-
publicans have been greatly reduced since
that time by the wonderful missionary:
work. Of the leaders of the dominant
party. but something may happen dur :
ing the course of debate to fan into flame,
the smoulderingE fire of discomfort among
tho opponents of reduction, and if this
happens something lively may be looked
for. go
Already the leaders of the opposition
have announced their intention to keep
out Of the fight for fear their remarks
against the proposed reduction may be
used by the Democrats as campaign ma
terial. A number. of Republicans will,
however, speak against the MEASURE
The Democrats are. as usual, divided.
The large majority, however, favor abso-
lutte free trade with Cuba, and will watch
every opportunity during the debate to
open up the whole tariff question. All
Democrats Interested in sugar-principaily
the Louisianians and those from the best
sugar d!stricts-will fight any reduction.
In the Senate the Democrats will fight
with the unity and bulldog determination
they showed in, regard to the Ti!lnlan-
McLaurn. affair. and 1t is probable that
S,,H,
party in the House to put forward a. solid
front also.
The 20 per cent proposition will prob
ably carry In the end, although the re-
bate scheme, which provides for the pay
nent by the United States of a rebateito
the Cuban Government, to be paid over
to the Cuban planters to reimburse them
for the duty charged on their surgar, has
some strong supporters.
CAMPAIGN MATERIAL.
At all events it is up to the Democrats
to get some campaign material out Of the
fight and they are making every prepara-
ton to do SO. The fight will probably
last for three or four days in the House.
Representative Lassiter has been work
ing upon the officials Of the War Depart
ment for some time in The interest OF
William D. Smith, late private Troop H.,
Sd u. S. Cavalry. who is 1T present inn
prlSOneQ at lLlilSdScu, -,
having allowed two Philippine prisoners
to escape some months ago, and this
morning his efforts were rewarded by
the receipt of 4 letter from the Judge
advocate general saving that he had been
informed by the Assistant Secretary of
War that Smiths penalty would be re-
duced toean imprisonment of six months.
Smith is from Petersburg, and has a
most excellent record. He has been IN
the army for;nine years and before go
ing to the philippines he had seen ACHE
service in the West and in Cuba Inc
cha rges against him are that he was
guilty of negligence, but no Intentional
brea CHI Of his duty as a soldier Smith S
aged mother is now living. in Pet ersburS,
and it is on her account entirely that MI
Jassiter has worked SO hard to save che
prisoner. The Congressman from tAe
Fourth expressed himself to-day as eSs
tremely gratitied at the success OF MS eli
forts.
By. the time the orders in the case
each LinEayan Smiths six months Will
have expired and he will be ordered TO
proceed to San Francisco upon the 1lrst
TRANSPORT that sails for the States. On
account of his excellent record an app'l-
cation from Smith for re-enllstment VIII
be favorably considered by the Depai E
mcnt upon his return to this country.
PERSONAL.
Joseph Button, clerk of the Virginia
Senate and secretary Of the Constitution
al Convention. was in the city to-day:
Mr.. Button came to Washington on9prl-
yate business connected with. 4, lawsuit
recently Won for him by ex-Sena tor
Faulkner of West Virginia, but while
here took a run up to the Capitol. where
he had talks with several of the Virginia
delegation Representatives Hay, Swan
son. Flood and Rhca being among those
he saw.
Mr.. c. H. Paxton, proprietor of the
Natural Bridge Hotel. was at the Capitol
to. day to interview Representative Flood
in regard to bill introduced recently by
the member from the Tenth. at the ,e-
quest of Mr.. Paxton, providing for the
purchase by the government of the Nat
uarl Bridge property for a ma iona park.
Other Nirginians in Washington who
are registered at the local hotels are:
The Raieigll-W. II. Curtis, Theo. Ell
Tyson. Richmond; r. II. Rechart, Harri-
sonburg.
The Nationally. II. Armes. Danville:
w. a. Phelps, Richmond, Z. Kingston
SALISBURY, Linden; Jos. II. Cochran, Harri-
ton.
ST. James-AIr and Mrs j. 7. Mer-
rick.
Howard House-P. T. Shroff. Leesburs.:
j. W. Yates, Warrenton: James L.5Rob-
ertson. Richmond: Ward 8. Lindsay. Mar
tinsburs; w. w. Sennen.' Richmond.
Observation-Disclosures Hunton, Jr., Rich
mon1; r. IS. boswell, boswell. IL
0rEc0D cIIADI EcTnNrS