Evening journal., 1902-04-07
HOUSE FIGHT ON
CUBAN TARIFF
Democrats Said to Favor
More Liberal Concessions
Amendments Intended 10 Open Up
Tariff Questions to be Ruled
Out by Chair

Washington, April THE great
battle over Cuban reciprocity. which
created such a protracted struggle
among the Republicans, both In eau
Gus and in the committee on ways
and means, will be fought out on the
floor OF the house this week. Tho ul-
innate passage Of the Payne bill pro-
viding for a 20 per cent. reduction on
the products of Cuba after the nego-
tiation of a reciprocity treaty and the
enactment Of our immigration laws
by the Republic of Cuba is regarded
as a foregone conclusion, but the sit
uation is a complicated one, owing to
the divisions among the Democrats
as well as the Republicans. How far
the Republican opponents OF the pro-
posed legislation will carry their op-
position is not definitely determined.
The strength Of this opposition has
dwindled until II probably numbers
less than 80.
On the other hand, up 10 tho present
time a large mapority of the Demo
Gratis favor the greatest possible free
dom of trade with Cuba, and would
vote for a deeper cut than tho ways
and means bill provides. Il is limited
that the attitude of the Democrats in
the senate who have fixed on a pro
gram of opposition there may result
before the vote is taken in more
unity OF action on the part of the
Democrats of the house. Some of the
Republican opponents of the bill will
speak against It, but the leaders OF
the Republican opposition show q
strong disinclination to participate IN
the debate, on the ground that there
IS no hope of defeating the bill, and
that their speeches would become
Democratic campaign material in the
coming congressional campaign
The bill will be brought up tomor
row as a revenue bill, which is privi
legged under the rules, but no special
order will be brought in for its con
sideration- In this way the possibility
of a defeat of a rule through a com
bination of the Republican recalci
trants and the Democrats win bS
avoided The general debate viii b,
allowed TO exhaust itself. The lead
ers on both sides estimate that no
more than three days will be con
sumed in general debate. The rea
fight will come subsequently, wheI
the bill is read for amendment unde
the five-minute rule. 1t will be theI
that the Democrats win seek TO offe
amendments having for their purpos'
the opening up OF the whole tariff
question.
While some of these amendment
might command some Republican
votes if they should actually come Il
a vote they will be ruled out of orde
in the house as they were in commit
tee. and the only method by whicl
they can be reached would be by over
ruling the decision of the chair. l
IS certain that not half a dozen, /
indeed any Republicans, will 90 4
this length, so that the Republican
leaders feel assured that none Of thes
propositions will come TO an actua
vote. The only amendments whic
will be held 10 be germane and Il
order will be those increasing or d,
creasing the amount of the concession
and the Republicans feel reasonabl
safe in the prediction that the caucu
decision for 20 per cent. reduction wi
stand It is their hope that on IN
final vote the bin will be passed b
Republican votes