New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-03
THE REBATE PLAN.

This list gives a total of twenty-one Republi
can Senators who are actually supposedly
against straight reciprocity and in favor of
what the really able and astute Mr. Burrows
calls the rebate proposition. BY rebate MI
Burrows that he and his followers. Who
ever they may be, are convinced that some
thing ought to be done for Cuba" and the
thing they want to do is to enact law au-
thorizing the President to instruct the collectors
of customs at all United States ports to set
aside a certain per cent-say 20 or even 25-of
the duties collected on all imports from Cuba
to be paid over to the Cuban Government when
ever that government makes a tariff concession
to the United States against the whole world
of an amount equal 10 this refund. The insur-
mountable objection of the administrators sup
porters to this rebate scheme is that 1t is un-
constitutional. and would be SO declared by the
highest courts of this country as soon as test
suit could be brought, and thus every form or
reciprocity would be defeated. at least until the
subject could again be acted upon at the next
session of Congress. This view of 1t is taken by
most Of the ablest constitutional lawyers in
both houses of Congress. Senator Platt Of Con-
necticut being among the number while Sen
ator Hoar. OF Massachusetts. is said to hold the
opposite opinion.
1t is significant that the administration lead
ers do not concede as much strength to the OPP
position as is shown in the lists here given
They do. however, concede that the following
Republican Senators are at present In mooo
TO make hard struggle against the party be-
ing committed to straight reciprocity: Messrs.
Burrows Elkins Scott, Nelson. Clapp, Miliar,
Dietrich Perkins and Bard-a total OF only nine,
as compared with the twenty-one claimed by
the other side They also say that possibly the
Senate insurgents have some good reason to
Irnr snhn all
Gamble and Foster, of Washington. But they
do not concede either Mr. Kittredge, Of South
Dakota, or Mr. Burton, of Kansas. to the in
surgent cause
ATTITUDE OF THE DEMOCRATS.
The Senate Democrats prepared to CO.
operate heartily with the insurgents in post
poning 10 as late a date possible consideration
of the Cuban bill To this end and under the
leadership of Mr. Teller, Of Colorado they will
oppose every effort that may be made 10 set
aside the Canal bill. which is on the calendar to
succeed the Lodge Philippine bill Wednes
day for the reciprocity measure. When the
fight finally does the latter BILL the
Democrats will part company with their Re
publican allies and insist almost sody on
fastening tariff revision features on Cuban reel
procity. in line with the Morris proposition in
the House bill. which provides for the repeal OF
the differential on refined sugar
1t is proba bic that all dispute to the pre-
cedence of the two bills will be settled by an
agreement to consider them alternately In the
interest of an early adjournment. on which sub
ject Senator Allison. chairman of the Appropri-
atoms Committee and the Republican steering
committee, the two organizations having more
direct influence adjournment than any others.
said to-day that he looked for the session to
be brought to a close about July II or IA