The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1902-01-30
DEMOCRATIC POLICY IN CON-
GRESS.

Washington, u. o., Jan. ~, l9O2
The Democrats of the House OF Rep
resentatives held their long deferred
caucus on Friday, and under the ekill
full guidance OF Mr.. Richardson ane
other Democratic leaders, determined
upon a policy which it is believed viii
prove most effective, not alone In fur
thering the interests of the party bu
also in s!emming the tide OF plutocratit
legislation which 1t is expected the
Republican majority will attempt te
impose upon the country. Some o.
the mem bers did not consider it within
the province of the caucus to reverse
any OF the decisions of the last national
conven ton, but apart from their con-
tention it was determined that there
was no necessity at this time for SO
doing. 1t was further decided that il
would be wiser for the members of the
party to devote their whole attention
to checkmatlng raids of the opposition
on the Treasury and endeavoring to
protect the whole people from legisla-
ton inspired by the great vested in
terests whose liberal campaign contrl-
buttons secure for them such extensive
influence in the councils OF the oppo-
sltion.
The Ways and Means Committee is
still giving hearings to the Representa-
tlves of the beet sugar and tobacco in
Gustries in this country and in Cuba.
The beet sugar lobby is growing des-
perate and is contemplating a coalition
OF forces with the Democrats in an
effort to reduce the protection on re-
fined sugar. The beet sugar men are,
OF course, inspired by animosity to the
sugar trust. hut they frankly admit
that they would be in better position
to develop their industry If the trust
were destroyed even it reciprocal prlvi-
leges were granted to Cuba. The
Democrats are naturally and consistent
ly opposed to duty which puts i'm
mense profits into the hands of the
trust at the expense of the vast body of
consumers. Representative Mccall,
Republican member from Massachu-
setts, tells me that be will vote for
reciprocity as he does not consider that
a moderate concession would iniure
American interests and he believes the
United States owes 1t to Cuba to at
least start her on the road to pros
perity.
Apropos OF the beet sugar question
there is story going the rounds in
inner circles of very stormy cabinet
meeting at which the President is
alleged to haye told his Secretary of
that he was "sick and
tired" OF having his expressions on the
subject Thrown in his face" Mr..
am told, expressed regret at
having given utterance to his views
aud assured Mr.. Roosevelt that nothing
more would be heard from him Oh
the subject. He has persistently re-
fused to appear before the Ways and
Means Committee, although it Is we'll
known that he is adverse to any recip-
rocal treaty which will lower the duty
On beet sugar. OF course the above
Incident has given rise to renewed gos-
sip In regard to cabinet changes, but
no change in the Agricultural portfolio
Is contemplated at this time.
Senator Mason attempted on Friday
TO commit the Senate on the Schley
matter, at least to the extent of thank
ing the Admiral "for his brave and
able conduct while in command of the
American feet at the victorious battle
of Santiago" and presenting him with
sword, but the opposition was on the
alert, and despite Senator Masons pro-
tests, Senator Hale insisted upon the
reference OF the resolution to the COM
nittee On Naval Affairs where there is
every reason to believe that it will be
buried.
The Hcule has passed the Urgent
Deficiency bill, but did not until the
Democrats had compelled Mr.. Cannon
o amend the wording OF the apprppri-
ion OF the clause providing 100000
or the establishment of a military
barracks at Manila. Sixteen Demo
rats voted for the bill, not because
hey approved of the course of the ed
nlnlstration In the Philippines, but
because they felt that American SOL
liers should be provided with COM
ortable quarters wherever they were.
There is, In fact, reason to believe that
'ther Democrats would have voted for
he proposition had their votes been
necessary to carry it and upon the
anne ground, but so long as the Re-