Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-19
18th CONGRESS-.
Series of Surprises On Cuban
Reciprocity Bill.
Opposition Succeeds In Killing the
DifferentiaI on Sugar.
As Amended, House Then Passes the
Bill, PAT to So.

| w April 1o.-lne lefnO-
Gratis and the Republican insurgents
rode rough shod over the House lead
crs, today, when the voting began on
| the Cuban reciprocity bill. They over
threw the ruling of the Chair in COM
mittee of the whole on the question of
| the germanenesS of an amendment to
remove the differential from refined
sugar during the existence of the reci-
procity agreement provided for in the
| bill. The vote to overrule the decision
of the Chair, made by Sherman, N. Y,
was III to 100, Republicans to the
number of 81 joining with a solid Dem
ocratic vote to accomplish this result
Having won this preliminary victory,
the amendment was adopted in COM
mittee, 164 to Ill, and later in the
House by a still larger majority, 1893
to 105. On this occasion ga Republicans
voted with the Democrats for the
amendment. The bill was then passed
by an overwhelming majority, PAT to 50.
An analysis of the vote shows that
224 Republicans and 123 Democrats
voted for the amended bill and AZ Re
Grosvenor, Ohio, was one of those who
voted against the bill
The voting on the bill was the Gull
mination of long struggle which be-
gan almost with the opening of this
session of Congress, and after two
weeks of continuous debating much
bitterness was aroused. Todays de-
bate was of an exceedingly lively char
acter, the feature being the echoes of
last nights Democratic caucus. To
that caucus the defeat of the Republic
can leaders who sought to pass the bill
without amendment is attributable.
Previous to the holding Of the caucus
the Democrats We're very much divided
and the opposition of the Republican
beet sugar men showed signs of dis
migrating. Today, when it became
apparent that the Democrats would act
together, the beet sugar men decided
at a meeting attended by 80 of them,
to take the bit in their teeth and over
rule the Chair. AS soon as this COM
bination was effected the Republican
leaders realized that they would be de-
feated SO far as the removal Of the diff
ferential was concerned, and Payne,
the Republican leader, contented him
self with warning his beet sugar col
tial they were taking off bit of pro-
lection placed in the Dingley bill espec-
tally for the benefit of the beet sugar
producers.
The Democrats attempted to follow |
up their advantage when the differen- |
tial amendment was adopted by offer |
ing the Babcock bill and other amend |
ments to reduce the Dingley schedules, |
but on these amendments the Repub- |
leans declined to vote with them and |
the Democrats did not press them Wig |
orously.
One of the surprises of the session !
was the attempt of Roberts, Massa- |
chusetts 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 |
President as soon as may be after the |
establishment of an Independent gov
eminent in Cuba and the enactment |
by said government of immigration, |
exclusion and contract labor laws as |
restrictive as those of the United |
States, to negotiate a reciprocal trade |
agreement with Cuba by which, in re- |
turn for equivalent concessions, the |
United States will grant a reduction Of
90 per cent. from the Dingley rates on
goods coming into the United States
from Cuba, such agreement to continue
until Dec. l, 1908. During the existence
of such agreement the duty on refined
sugars and all sugars above No. 16
Dutch standard is to be 1.S25 per pound.
When the House met, today, at II
O'Clock, there was prospect Of a
memorable session ahead. The general
debate upon the Cuban reciprocity bill
was to close at o'clock and 1t was the
intention Of the leaders ii possible to
hold the House in session until the
final vote was taken. The action of
the Democratic caucus, last night, |
which decided to vote solidly for the |
removal of the differential on refined
sugar gave the leaders much concern |
as they were unable to figure out ex- |
actly what strength the proposition
CONTINUED on page ~ !