Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-18
OV VOTE ON CUBAN Bill
Fate Of the Reciprocity Measure
In the House to Be De-
termined.
Great Interest Centered in the
Outcome Of the Voting This
Afternoon.
Probable Action Of the Demo
Gratis Giving the Leaders
Much Concern.

Washington, April 1s.-When the
house met today ct II o'clock there was
the prospect of memorial session
ahead. General debate upon the Cuban
reciprocity bill was to close at ana II
was intended by the leaders, II possi-
BILE, to hold the house in session until a
Anal vote was taken. The action OF
the democratic caucus last night, which
decided to vote solidly for removal of
the differential on refined sugar, gave
the leaders much concern, as they We're
unable to figure out exactly what
strength the proposition would COM
mand on the republican side. The dis
closures of Underwood last night rela-
tive to overtures made to the demo-
Gratis on the basis of abandonment OF
the Crumpacker resolution added a
new complication to the situation.
Richardson. of Tennessee, democratic
leader, was the first speaker today. He
made careful and dispassionate
speech, explaining why he had voted in
favor of reporting the bill. He stated
frankly he doubted whether enactment
OF the bill would do much to bring
about reciprocal trade relations be-
tween Cuba and the United States,
which was earnestly desired. But he
had voted for it in the hope that it
might accomplish something. 1t would
at least reduce by 20 per cent the OUT
rageously high rates of the Dingley
law so far as Cuba is concerned. These
high rates could not stand and, he said.
Grosvenor's speech a few days ago was
a warning Of the storm. He thought the
time for revision of the tariff at hand,
and the fact that the pending bill be-
gan in a modest way commended the
measure to him. Richardson called at
tention to the action of the country
district of Babcock. of Wisconsin, en-
dorsing the latter's bill to remove du-
ties from steel, and amid democratic
applause said that the democrats pro-
posed to give Babcock an opportunity
later on to vote on the bill his constftu-
ents had endorsed. He also outlined
Fthe democratic prorram relative to Of
fering an amendment to abolish the
differential duty on refined sugar. If
this amendment is carried, he said. five
or six million dollars would be taken
from the sugar. refiners and given to
the American consumer of sugar.
Just before Richardson took his seat
Bi,omwell, of Ohio, asked him this
question:
Does the gentleman know anything
of the reported bargain between lead
ers on this side and the democrats on
~! -. soI oolp
luton is to be smothered in order to aid
the passage of the pending bill?"
absolutely nothing" replied Rich
ardson.
Fordney, Of Michigan, opposed the
BILL He declared that not single Gu
ban had appe ared before the ways and
means committee in favor of the bill.
Every one of the witnesses for 1t, he
said, was either an American citizen,
owning sugar land in Cuba or indirect
ly or directly representing the influ-
ence Of the sugar trust.
Hepburn, of Iowa, aroused consider
able excitement by bringing forward a
revelation made In the democratic eau
Gus last night concerning an alleged
overture made from the republican side
to abandon the Crumpacker resolution
If democrats from the states threatened
would vote against oyerruling the
chair. After reading an account of the
caucus in morning paper he proceed
ed with great emphasis to declare the
charge. II true, or statement, If made.
was of a very serious character. 1T
charges some members of this house
with attempting to traffic with legisla-
tion before this body" he said TT
charges them with q willingness to
shelve legislation which members here
consider very important in order to Sc
scure the ultimate triumph Of this bill.
II do not believe 1t. l think the
gentleman from Alabama (Underwood)
must have been mistaken or misin-
formed, but nevertheless. think 1t is
his duty to this house to be more ex-
plicit, and to locate this offense where
it properly belongs" With great
earncstness Hepburn continued to ex-
press his doubt whether such alleged
methods would be resorted to to pass
q bill which he was convinced 80 per
cent of republicans were Indifferent
or opposed to. He held up to ridicule
some Of the most ardent friends of the
measures NTawney, of Minnesota, closed
the debate against the bill Dalzell, OF
Pennsylvania, concluded for the 1nea-
sure.