The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-11
RECIPROCITY IS
Good DOCTRINE
GrOsVenOf Defedds Himself
Against Recent Attacks
SENATOR DEPEW ON SOUTH
Says If Senators Are Elected BY Popu-
lar Vote He Will Fight for
Representation According
to Population.
SENATOR DEPEW ON SOUTH

Washington April 1O.--The most notable
speech on the Cuban reciprocity bill In
the House today was made by Mr.. Gros-
venor, Ohio. He answered. the critics who
have charged him with Inconsistency by
saying that reciprocity was sound Re
publican doctrine, acd that tariff sched-
ules were not sacred. lie predicted that
the time would come although it had not
yet arrived, when there would be an in
excrable demand for revision of the pres
ent rates. Mr.. Prince, Illinois, made
strong speech against the measure. The
other speakers were Messrs. Lawrence,
Massachusetts, and Mr.. Myers, Indiana,
for the bill. and Messrs. Weeks, Michigan,
and Kleborg Texas, against it.
THE SENATE!
Washington. April 1O.-An effort was
made late in the day in the Senate to OBJ
tain an agreement for q vote on the Chi
nese exclusion bill, but 1t was unsuc-
cessful The indications now are that the
vote will be taken next Tuesday. The
measure was under discussion during the
entire session today, except for about
an hour, in which time the postoffice ap-
preparation was considered and passed.
Three speeches were made against the
Chinese bill in its present form, Mr.. Dill
lngham of Vermont concluding mis- re-
marks, and Mr.. Stewart Of Nevada and
Mr. Hoar of Massachusetts stating their
objections to the bill. Mr.. Stewart said
he would vote for the measure, If 1t was
the best that could be obtained as he ia
vored the exclusion of Chinese laborers,
but he was opposed to many Of its provis
ions. Mr.. Hoar, with considerable feel
ing, announced his vigorous opposition to
the bill, declaring that he never would
vote for it.
Depew Serves Notice.
Early in the session Mr. Depew of
New York spoke briefly against the adop-
ton of the resolution providing for the
election of Senators by popular vote. In
effect he served notice on those states
which had limited their suffrage that IL
the resolution was enacted, a demand
would be made on them to accord all
their citizens the right to vote or suffer
a loss of representatives in Congress.
Mr.. Depew further said:
IF the election of United States Sen
ators a small oigarchy in any State
can send here a representation equal to
that of great States like New York, which
has manhood suffrage; if States in which
half of the voters are disfranchised are
to have an equal voice in this body with
States like Pennsylvania of five or ten
times their population and with manhood
suffrage; If New York, which casts be-
cause of its manhood suffrage 1851, 912
votes, is to be neutralized in legislation
affecting her vast interests by Mississippi
casting Sc. 600 votes because the majority
of her citizens are disfranchised then the
situation becomes intolerable.
Explains His Position.
II am not under ordinary circumstances
and normal conditions in favor of the
proposed reduction of representatives In
the southern states; l am not in favor of
any legislation by the general government
which interferes with the local affairs of
those commonwealth; but if the door Is
opened by the adoption of this amend
ment to the constitution for the changing
Of the character and constitution of the
Senate of the United States, then that
measure must necessarily be accompanied
by power to insure a full and honest vote
of the citizens of the republic and protect
this body in the election of those who
may be designated here as Senator's"
The Amendment.
The amendment offered by Senator De-
pew concerning election of Senators is
as follows:
The qualifications of citizens entitled
to vote for United States Senators and
representatives in Congress shall be uni
form in all the states and Congress shall
have power to enforce this afticle by ap-
propriate legislation and to provide for
the registration of citizens entitled to
vote; the conduct of such election, and the
Certificate of the result"