Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-04-10


The New York Times gives high ap
proval to the policy adopted by Con
gresham George b. Mcclellan of New |
York, Democratic member of the |
ways and means committee, with refer
ence to the pending Cuban Reciprocity |
bill.
MIR. Mcclellan has prepared a mi
nority report on the measure, which the
Times considers model of clear state
ment, sound reasoning and practical
sagacity in conclusions. He begins by
pointing out the very grave and sub
stantial obligations we have assumed
toward Cuba by the adoption of the
Teller resolutions at the outset of the
war with Spain and by the Platt amend
ment limiting the independence of
I Cuba. We are about to turn over the
/ government and control Of the island to
| the Cubans, but we have reserved the
power to intervene to maintain a gov
eminent adequate for the protection
of life, property and individual liberty. ?"
because of that amendment" de-
clares Mr.. Mcclellan, with great force
and justice, 1--WE must make it possible
for the people of Cuba to govern their
island successfully" Three-fourths of
the people are interested in the sugar
crop, which amounts to some $50, 900
tons. At the present unusually high
price of sugar this crop could not be
sold in our markets, after paying the
present duty, except at a loss of &c, OBS,
900, or 16 per cent of the total cost of
cents per pound, the loss would be
SO, 800, 600, or 81 $40 per cent of the
cost. The price would have to advance,
from the effect of the Brussels con-
ference or other causes, to cents a
pound before the Cuban crop could be
sold, under the present duty, at profit
of even 21S per cent.
Mr.. Mcclellan then makes careful
calculation of the effect of reduction
in the duties of 20 per cent, of % per
cent, of 1913 per cent, and of 40 pei
cent, at various prices. The 20 per cent
reduction would still leave loss Of al
least per cent at 80 cents and yer,
slight profit at 35s cents The % pei
cent reduction would yield a profit o.
5.3 per cent at 1855 cents. The reduc
tion of one-third would yield prof
of 60 per cent at 31s cents and of IL;
per cent at 35s cents. A reduction o
40 per cent would yield profit of Ill
per cent at 31a cents and IT. 8 per cen
at 35S cents. These are the plain AM
moderate statements of actual facts a
shown by the reports of our consul
and by the prices current. They sho,
that a reduction Of at least 40 per cen
in the duty is absolutely necessary t
enable the Cubans dependent on tn
sugar industry-three-fourths of tn
people-to live.
Mr.. Mcclellan disposes of the variou
pleas put in by the beet sugar people
The lie about the sugar having bee
bought up by the Trust is exposed
the report of Gen. Wood, after invest
cation, that not more than 20, 600 tor
of the crop has been sold at all. TIL
plea of the need Of protection for tt
beet sugar interest is exploded by IL
fact that that protection is already, b
their own admission, "a per cent, an
that Messrs. Oxnard and Bayard Gu
ting, when seeking subscriptions
stock, declared over their own sign
lures that the industry would be prof
able with entire free trade. Final
Mr.. Mcclellan summarizes his ov
conclusions as follows:
First, the bill does not afford su
ficient relief to Cuba, but it minimiz
the loss on the present crop Of suga
second, it is possible, but not certai
that a 20 per cent reduction of &
Cuban tariff will result in giving us
monopoly of the Cuban market; thir
the bill is an enunciation of the Dem
cratic doctrine Of reciprocity, it is
breach in the wall of protection, al
lowers in part the preposterous Dingl
rates.
If / am afforded the opportuni
q when the bill comes before the CO.
mittee of the whole, | shall try
amend it by increasing the rate Of
duction so as to make certain not or
the control of the Cuban market
us, but also the prosperity of Cuba.
shall also try to amend by striking c
the time limit.
Failing to amend, for the reasc
here stated / shall vote for the bill.
If the Democrats in the House a
Senate would only adopt the sensi
policy laid down by Mr.. McClelli
try to make the bill as helpful to Gu
IS possible, and then support the b
that they can get, the Times conclud
there would be fair prospect of sec
ing substantial aid for the island, ST
stantial discharge of our plain obi
tions, and the position of the pa
would be greatly strengthened.