Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-31
LARGE AUDIENCE GREErs sENA.
TORS ADDRESS.
Eloouent Discussion Of Political Cues
tions Of the Day-Cuban Rsciproc'
ity as II Il.

Senator Burton was greeted BY q
large audience at the Seelye Saturday
night. On the stage was delegation
Of about 40 old soldiers, Congressman
Miller, State Treasurer Grimes, Ma
tional Committeeman Mulvane and
Others.
Representative Emil Grosser pre-
sided and introduced Senator Burton
calling attention to the nations pro-
gress in the past six years.
Mr. Burton was most cordially re-
ceived and frequent applause greeted
his telling remarks in which be
showed up the insincerity Of the sugar
trust advocates. He told Of the
many important accomplishments OF
the recent session and said no con-
gress in 40 years had so closely car
ried out the presidents suggestions
Much Of the address was devoted to
q discussion Of Cuban reciprocity and
be made a clear exposition OF the
Righteousness Of bis position in stand
ing up for western farmers. He was
applauded frequently in this portion
Of bis speech. Among other things
he said;
1.-The subject Of Cuban reciprocity
has been confused BY some misstate'
ments Of the facts and some false is
sues have been made that tend to mis-
lead the public. lido not charge that
any one has done this intentionally
but in the best Of controversy it is
difficult, sometimes, to refrain from
appealing tc passion and prejudice
and it is also difficult, sometimes, to
be fair in ascribing proper motives to
our opponents
"Cuban reciprocity is an economic
question. It's not an issue between
Republicans and Democrats. De-
mocracy believes in free trade, and
would have no tariff except for rev.
enue. fence, Democracy a.waJs
favors tariff reduction, and the greater
the reduction the better it pleases the
Democrats.
"The contention in congress was
not about Cuban reciprocity, but it
was as to the methods to be adopted
in establishing Cuban reciprocity.
An impression has been given out
that there was only one bill consid-
cred by congress. This is mistake
A majority of the ways and means
committee Of the house reported bill
making q horizontal reduction OF
twenty per cent, on all Cuban pro-
ducts. This bill was amended by the
house in two substantial particulars.
First, an amendment was added re-
quiring Cuba to adopt our immigra'
ton issue. This was intended to
shut out Cuban psuper labor. Sec'
ond, what is known as the differential
on refined sugar was stricken OF by
amendment, and the bill, with these
amendments, passed the house.
When that bill came to the senate the
senate committee refused to accept it
and proposed ssubstitute. This sub
stitute was simply horizontal re-
duction Of twenty per cent on all
Cuban products and was substantially
the bill first reported by majority
Of the ways and means committee Of
the house.
1.-The substitute, however, had
dropped the amendment made BY the
house. Every member Of the Kansas
delegation voted for the house bill as
it passed, with the amendments add
ed. The beet-sugar senator's refused
to support the senate substitute and
offered to support the house bill as it
passed. They also offered to support
bill known as the rebate plan. A
misapprehensiou has gained circula-
tion respecting this plan. 1t has
been claimed that it is notreciprocity.
This is a mistake, In my judgment.
The rebate plan was simply this
That we collect the full tariff rates on
Cuban products, segregate twenty
DER cent Of the amount and turn it
back into the Cuban treasury, pro-
viding the Cuban government would
reduce its tariff on our products twen.
ty per ceut.
"The reason Why some Of US looked
with favor on this plan was that II
there wss any distress in Cuba the