Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-04-24
CHAIR OVERTHROWN
Opposition Defeats House leaders
on Cuban Reclp Getty Bill.
AN ANALYSIS OF The VOTE GIVEN.
What the Bill ~ Pas .ed Authorizes Sem
ate Amendments to Chinese Is u Ds-
agreed to -PhilippIne Government
Bill In the Senate


ate Amendments to Chinese Is II Ds-
agreed to Philippine Government =
Bill In the Senate
Washington, April l9.-Ihe demo-
Gratis and the republican insurgents
rode rough-shod over the house lead
ers yesterday when the voting began
on the Cuban reciprocity bill They
overthrow the ruling of the chair in
committee OF the whole on the ques-
ton Of the germaneness of an amend
ment to remove the diiferential from
refined sugar during the existence
Of the reciprocity agreement pro-
vided for in the bill. The vote to
oyerrule the decision Of the chair,
made by Mr., Sherman, Of New York,
was III to 1870, republicans to the
number Of 81 joining with solid
democratic vote to accomplish this
result. Having won this preliminary
victory, the amendment was adopted
in committee, 1914 to III, and later in
the house by still larger majority,
109 to 1876. On this occasion GA re-
publicans voted with the democrats
for the amendment. The bill then
was passed by an Overwhelming ma
jority, 247 to 81.
An analysis of the vote shows that
l24 republicans and 1873 democrats
voted for the amended bill and AZ re-
publicans and ten democrats against
it. The voting on the bill was the
elimination of long struggle which
began almost with the opening OF
this session of congress and after two
weeks Of continuous debate, during
which much bitterness was aroused.
Yesterdays debate was of an exceed
ingly lively character, the feature be-
ing echoes of Thursday nights demo-
cratic caucus. TO that caucus the
defeat of the republican leaders who
sought to pass the bill without
is attributable. Previous
to the holding of the caucus the dem
ocrats were very much divided and
the opposition Of the republican beet
sugar men showed signs OF disin-
tcgrating. Yesterday when 1t be-
came apparent that the democrats
would act together the beet sugar
men decided at meeting attended
by 80 of them to take the bit in their
teeth and overrule the chair. As
soon as this combination was effect
ed the republican leaders realized
that they would be defeated so far
as the removal Of the differental was
concerned, and Mr.. Payne, the re-
publican leader, contented himself
with warning his beet sugar col
leagues that in removing the differ
entail they were taking off u bit OF
protection placed in the Dingley bill
for the benefit of the beet
sugar producers. The democrats at
tempted to follow up their advan-
tage when the differental amend
mcnt was adopted by offering the
Babcock bill and other amendments
to reduce the Dingley schedules. but
on rnese amendments the republicans
declined to stand with them and the
democrats did not press them vigor-
ousIy. One Of the surprises of the
session was the attempt of Mr. Rob
,rts, u Massachusetts republican, to
take the duty off hides. He offered
Two amendments and appealed once
from the decision of the chair, but
was voted down each time.
The bill as passed authorizes the
as soon as may be after
The establishment of an independent
government in Cuba and the enact
ment by said government of immi-
grafton, exclusion and contract labor
laws as restrictive as those OF the
United States, to negotiate n rccip-
rocal trade agreement with Cuba
by which, in return for equivalent
the United States will
grant reduction of 20 per cent. from
the Dingley rates on goods coming
into the United States from Cuba,
such agreement to continue until De-
rcmbcr /, 1908. During the existence
Of such agreement the duty on re-
fined sugars and all sugars above
No. IS Dutch standard is to be 1928
per pound.
The senate amendments to the Chi
ncse exclusion bill were disagreed
to and the bill was sent to confer
ence. Messrs. HIT, Perkins and Clark
we're appointed conferees. Then, at
6. Is p. m, the house adjourned.
At yesterdays session of the SEN
ate consideration was begun of the
bill temporarily to provide form
of government for the Philippine is
lands. The measure was read and
the committee amendments were
agreed to tentatively, but no action
on the bill was taken. Fifty-fve pri-
vate pension bills and few minor
were passed.
blIL 10 neylse the fAtent Laws.