The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-21

The conference adjourned without ac-
ton. subject to the call Of Chairman
Allison. Almost all the Republican SEN
atOrs who are in the city We're present.
There were eight or nine speeches made
in support of reciprocity and only two in
opposition TO that policy. This was in
accord with a previous understanding
that as the beet sugar senators had
mOnopOlized the attention of the con
ference Wednesday night their oppon-
ents should have the greater share of
the time.
Senator Foraker opened the proceed
ings with an appeal to his party col
leagues TO get together in support of
this measure. which had. he ssfd, be
come a party question. having been
made so by the attitude not only of the
present chief magistrate, but by that
of his honOred predecessor He said
with some appearance of feeling that
men could not be with the party at one
time and against it at another and
maintain their prestige. He also spoke
of the necessity of maintaining the
most cordial relations with Cuba
Senator 5everidge dwelt upon the
growing Importance Of American trade
with the outside world. and said the
present opportunity to extend our hold
on the sood Will of the Cuban people
should not be lost
A PARTY QUESTION.
Senator Lodge dwelt with especial en-
phasis upon the Importance of having
Republican senators stand together at
this ritical point in the party's history.
Mucn of prestige and future national
standing. he said. might depend upon
the step now taken. for all the world
WIS watching with interest our treat
ment of the Cuban people He declared
that opposition would not suffice to pre-
vent the continued presentation OF TINS
matter until success should be obtained.
and was quite positive that if reciprocity
with Cuba was not secured now it would
be at later date.
Senator Warren spoke briefly in the
interest of party harmony. He thought
that all the resources Of the Republican
senators should be exhausted to secure
cooperation before attempting to take
final action.
Senator McCOmas declared his adher-
ence to the senate reciprocity bill. say
ing that he considered it in the interests
of the whole country to enact such leg
islation as was outlined in that meas
ure-
Senator Hale said that it should be
distinctly understood that in supporting
this measure he did not surrender his
principles as a protecLonist- He was
inclined. he said. TO hesitate SON ewhat
before accepting the modern reciprocity
idea, but reciprocity with Cuba he re-
gardede as entitled to somewhat diff
ferent consideration from reciprocity
with other countries, because of the OBJ
legation we had assumed toward that
island He believed that the Cuban
people would secure the benefit of the
proposed reciprocal relation with that
country and said ne was willing to set
Cuba up i'm hOusekee ping.
A SOLID 'FRONT.' URGED
Senator Aldrich spoke at some length.
He dWelt with special emphasis upon the
necessity Of the party presenting a SOL
id front al this time and with respect
to this measure He reiterated the
statement which had been made by 9TH
er spea kers that this was a party ques-
tiOn and pleaded with the opposing
senators TO recognize this fact and ac-
cept the situation He ridiculed the
idea that the proposed reduction would
injure the beet sugar interests saying
that sugar now received protection
amounting to a bout 100 per cent on the
cost price, the production proposed in the
bill suggested by the Cuban committee
Ing to 50 per cent That. he said. ought
to be ample and he had no doubt that
1T would. He stated that the question
OF reduction was not one of today or
tomorrow. and announced that the
friends of the principle of reciprocity
with Cuba would not content them
selves until their efforts had been
crowned with success.
Senator Hanna spoke of the question
OF extending the proper aid to Cube
as a moral question. saying that our
obligations to the Cuban people We're
such that we would not be true TO our
selves as a nation if we should fail TO
give them IN enCOura ging hand at the
beginning OF their national career. He
referred to President AEekinley's at
titude on this subject and quoted the
presidents s Buffalo speech as n aking
ii imperative on this government to
enter into proper reciprocal relations
The meeting had almost concluded
when Senator Burton took the floor to