The Washington times., 1902-03-12
A Profound Impression.

her that we owed nothing to Cuba and
declared that he was against reciproci. y
| with the island.
| A Profound Impression.
Mr.. Smiths argument made a pro-
found impression. and even members of
the opposing faction were forced to de-
clare that it was the ablest oresenta-
| tion Of the case yet made. An Ohio mem
| Der declared that it was the best speech
that had been made by any member this
session of Congress; that every statement
| he had made was true; that ne was in
sympathy with the beet sugar men, but
that nevertheless be would support the
| committee.
When the conference was called to or
der there were about 125 members pres
ent. but before the evening was over
twenty five others came in, so that there
were altogether about $50 of the POI Re-
publican members present.
Mr.. Long, of Kansas, who had the floor
when the adjournment was taken last
Thursday night, continued his remarks.
He is member of the Ways and Means
Committee and repeated his argument
that the question of a protective tariff
was not involved in the present contro-
versy, which compared more directly to
the subject of reciprocity.
He asked ii the opposition was ready to
take steps to prevent carrying out the
policy of the Administration for Cuban
relief, and said that domestic sugar in
terestS would not be seriously affected by
the proposed bill of the Ways and Means
Committee providing for a reciprocal 20
per cent reduction of the tariff rates on
imports into the United States from Cuba
and into Cuba from the United States.
Mr.. Long was followed by Representa-
tives Morrell of Pennsylvania and Jen-
kins OF Wisconsin on the same lines.
Resolutions Offered.
Then Representative Tayler of Ohio
took the floor, and, after a brief speech
in advocacy OF the claims of the beet
sugar Representatives. introduced the fol-
lowing resolutions, which were based on
long preamble:
I'VE oppose the proposition to reduce
the tariff on Cuban products coming into
the country, because 1t involves a re-
taxation of the protective principle.
THE Republican platform of 1886 con-
demned the Democratic party for not
keeping faith with the American sugar
growers; we seek not to merit for our
selves the same condemnation.
THE proposition 10 reduce the sugar
tariff is unwise and just, because:
Abandonment of Protective Principle.
u. 1t constitutes. in essence, an
abandonment of the protective principle,
even though 1t removes only one-ffth OF
the duty imposed by the Dingley law.
And this abandonment is most unhappy
because applied TO the pursuit of agri-
culture in the only instance in which
specific and manifest protection is given
to the farmer; and at the moment when
the beet sugar industry is not only in its
infancy. but in an infancy so lusty and
promising as to demonstrate the GER
tainty of a rapid and prodig,us growth.
The beet sugar industry exhibits IN the
most perfect form we have yet known the
most approved principles OF protection.
Heretofore, the farmer has been COM
PEELED to find his justification of protec-
ton, from the standpoint OF personal IN
terest. in the prosperity reflected from
the Industrial artisan; and. in the MAN,
he has. through good report and evil, oeen
bravely loyal.
Since our platform of 1896 gave a
party's guarantee of permanence, we nave
demonstrated that in the beet sugar IN
dustry we could. more wildly than IN
any other enterprise, illustrate to the
n
acres the beneficence of the American
system of protection.
THE American market for over Sloo,-
900 900 worth OF sugar annually is right
fully his. We shall encourage no pollcY
which delays the time when he shall come
into his own.
Fancied Duty to Cuba.
"2. AS to the fancied duty to Cuba, be
cause of distress which is only appar-
ent in the admitted fact that every man
on the island has all the work he can do
at higher wages than he ever before re
ceived. we have only to say that the low
price Of sugar is a mere business cOndi-
tion of temporary character, and that 10
compromise with it on the terms pro-
posed is, In its interference with the
policy of protection, TO pay too high
price for all the good that can possibly
come to those whom it is intended to
benefit.
The proposition is TO undertake TO
ensure commercial and industrial pros
perity to Cuba, d foreign country and
foreign Government If We undertake it,
when and where are we TO stop?
1T is a startling proposition entirely
and our constitutional power.
Whenever We have undertaken to en-
sure commercial and industrial prosper
ity OF the United States, our own coun-
try, by means of a protective tariff, we
have been bitterly assailed OF the ground
of parentalism.
Now, at the expense of our own labor.
our own capital. and our own industry
We are asked to extend the parental hand
to foreign people on the ground that
having given them liberty we are morally
obligated to secure them commercial and
industrial prosperity even at the sacri-
flee of our own interests.
I'VE emphatically deny that we are un-
der any such obligation, morally or other
wise.
1--WE insist that such an undertaking
subjects the Congress of the United States
TO the charge OF being false to its con-
stitutional obligations unto the people 1T
represents, and. from a political stand
point. false to the pledges made by the