Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-27
MR.. BABG0CK'S VOTE
A CONSULTATION WITH THE
PRESIDENT TODAY.
A Belief That He Will Stand by the
Administrator in Ways and
Means Committee.

Representative Bahcock, who will have
the deciding vote in the ways and means
committee of the House on the proposition
to report a reciprocity schedule with Cuba,
was In conference with the President today.
1t is understood that he was sent for by the
chief executive, who talked with him fully
as to the situation. Representatives Taw-
ney and Metcalf republicans, and six DEM
ocrats oppose the proposition to permit re-
duction of 20 per cent on the duty on Cuban
sugar. Eight republicans of the committee
favor a reduction of the duty by means of
a reciprocity arrangement. Mr.. Babcock,
who has all along been opposed to a reduc-
tion of the duty, has the deciding vote.
He has been sick for month, has not
participated in the struggles over the mat
ter and had hoped to not be placed where
his vote would be of so much Importance.
Now he is confronted with the proposition
of voting against an administration meas
ure and the majority of his party or voting
against his own inclinations. 1T Is most
embarrassing position to be placed in,' said
Mr. Babcock. as he was leaving the White
House. Being an administration measure
and having the Endorsement of a majority
Of the party makes the reduction pretty
hard thing TO vote against" /"
This was the nearest that Mr.. Babcock
came to inttmating his intentions, but 1t
was generally construed as meaning that
he will vote with the majority of his party.
His long service as chairman of the con-
gressional campaign committee and his
party loyalty appeal to him to stand with
the majority. Against this, of course. are
his own views in opposition to a reduction.
Il realize that it Is case of being criti-
cised in either event. said Mr.. Babcock.
The President, republican leaders and
"a frihn6S i'm
to accept the Craftsmanship of the republi
can congressional committee another year.
The republican, leaders have been working
to this end for some time. Senator Quay
and many other astute politicians say that
Mr.. Babcock is just the man needed for
that work this year. II MIR. Babcock should
accept the position he would be placed in
an awkward position should he vote against
the administration. These matters all have
weight with him, and the belief is strong
that Mr.. Babcock will act with his party.
His own district is in no way interested in
beet sugar. and so Mr. Babcock cannot
hurt himself politically by voting against
beet sugar.
Mr.. Babcock has asked the President to
find some one else to take the cha irmanship
Of the congressional campaign. His health
is still bad. He says that 1t was broken
down in the hard campaign of 1898, when
it was so important to elect republican
House, and he would not like to undertake
another campaign.
Beet Sugar Men Discouraged.
The beet sugar men were dismayed today
by the inference drawn from Mr.. Bab-
cocks statement that he would vote for the
reciprocity bill. Their last hope Of en-
barrassing the progress of the bill would
be removed by Mr.. Babcooks voting with
the other sde 1t is thought that II Mr..
Babcock decides to vote that, way 1t would
be the signal for the disintegration of the
opposition forces In the House.
1t is thought by the ways and means
leaders that the prospects now are good
for making the bill a party measure
strictly.
The ways and means committee leaders
expect to report the Cuban reciprocity bill
out Of the committee at meeting to be
held next week.