The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-16
So Many Questions Involved i'm the
Reciprocity Fight thnt Votes of
All Members Are Needed.
BILL CERTAIN TO BE ADOPTED
AND DANGER OF ADVERSE AMEND
MENTs SEEMS TO HAVE PASSED.
Important Amendments to the Chi
Fairbanks, Adopted by Senate.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, April 15.-The Indiana
Republican members of the House who
have been planning to leave for Indian
apois the latter part of this week are
now confronted with proposition which
may prevent any of them from being pres
ent at the state convention, unless the Gu
ban reciprocity bill is disposed of much
sooner than is now expected. The delega-
ton had a meeting to-day and attempted
to arrange for pairs with the Democratic
members, but met with no success on ac-
count of the Democrats having different
ideas on different phases of the question.
Both Democrat and Republican might be
favorable to the reciprocity BILL but on the
same question differ in their opinions on a
question of appeal from the decision of the
chair on a ruling made in reference to
amendments which are to be proposed. 1t Is
also quite likely that many other questions
will arise during the final debate. Under
these circumstances it seems almost inn
possible for the entire delegation to arrange
pairs and the friends of the reciprocity bill
insist that unless some safe plan can be
arranged that they be present TO assist in
preventing the adoption of any unsatisfac-
appeal from the speakers rulings.
An Associated Press Dispatch says: With
the close of the debate in the House to-day
the leaders announced that all dangers of
the bill being weighted down with undesir-
able amendments was over, and that they
felt sure the bill would pass in the shape in
which it came from the committee. AS the
hill i'm its present form is sure TO command
Of
the House its passage was certain if it sue
cessfully passed the stage when amend
ments could be offered. The only cause of
anxiety heretofore has been the possibility
that enough Republicans would join with
the Democrats to OVerrule the chair and
tack on 10 the bill an amendment to abol-
ish the differential on refined sugar. All
the energies of the leaders have been di-
rected. therefore, 10 bring pressure to bear
on the recalcitrant Republicans TO induce
them from aiding this plan, and this even
ing at the close of the session of the House
il was announced that the entire Repub-
lican delegations from Michigan and Cali
fornia, who constitute the head and front
of the opposition, had agreed 10 not 10 try
to override the ruling OF the chair. Mr..
Watson. of Indiana, who is acting as the
whip for the majority. does not believe over
a dozen of the Republicans at the outside
will Join the Democrats on this proposition.
Ii would require more than twenty Repub-
Hcan votes to place OF the bill the amend
ment which might endanger its ultimate
passage. as several Democrats. il is under
stood also have declared their 1nten ton
to stand by the ruling Of the chair.
An unsuccessful effort was made again
to-day by Mr.. Payne TO secure an agree
uent 10 limit the general debate. When
the House adjourned to-day there remained
thirty-five members who desire TO speak.
The deba te to-day was without particular
interest. The speakers were Messrs. Swan
son of Virginia and White Of Kentucky for
the bill. and Messrs. 5. w. Smith of Mich
igan. DAYTON OF West Virginia, Burgess of
Texas, Meyer of Louisiana and SOuther-
land of Utah. against It,