The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-03-20
FRIENDS OF CUBA WIN
Vote In Republican Caucus
Stood IS 20 81.
WAYS AND MEMS Plan ADOPTED.
Reciprocity with the Island Limit
ed TO December. tDO3-Propost-
tion of the beet sugar Men De-
feated by vote Of 81 to 20.


non Of the beet sugar Men De-
feated 10y vote Of 81 to- 20.
WASHINGTON. March 1g.-The first
test vote in the Republican caucus on
the Cuban sugar question came last
night on a motion by Chairman Payne
Of the ways and means committee that
the previous question be ordered and %
rote taken on the propositions before
he caucus. The motion was carried
- 10 80. 4 vote then followed on the
roposition " the beet sugar men that
q rebate be given Cuba Oh articles im-
ported from that island. and il was de-
featcd-JT 10 -. a vote followed later
Oh The ways and means 20 per cent
reciprocity proposition.
The ways and means proposition for
reciprocity with cuba TO tie extent ~
a 20 per cent reduction of duties. mod
ihed by the Sibley amendment limiting
the lifetime Of the reduced rates TO De
cember. 1903 was adopted by the Re
publican conference by vote Of - TO
81.
The Republican members Of the
house of representatives met in gener-
al conference to consider the Cuban
tarin question. this being the fifth
gathering held for the purpose Of seek
ing 10 reconcile the differences existing
OH this subject About 40 members
were jn attendance. including Speaker
Henderson. Chairman Payne Of the
ways and means committee and others
who have figured prominently in the
contest
Chairman Payne made statement
of the difficulties encountered by the
arbitratlng conference which has been
seeking for several days to bring the
two elements together. He frankly
confessed that nothing had been ac-
complished. as each side had adhered
firmly to its original position Mr..
Payne said the position Of the ways
and means committee now was in ef-
feet that presented by Mr.. Sibley at the
last conference-name for 20 per
cent reciprocity limited to December,
1903.
Representative Dick (O.), one Of the
conferees Of the element opposing
the ways and means committee. CON
CURED with Mr.. Payne that no prog
ress had been made by the arbltrat-
ing body toward reaching solution.
At the same time Mr.. Dick said he was
still hopeful Of an ultimate agreement.
and he urged deliberate action in order
that harmony might prevail in the end
Mr.. Dick closed by presenting resolu-
Y.nt. .f,... h.. Il
conferees who had represented the ele-
ment opposing the ways and means
committee as follows
Resolved, That ii is the sense of this
conference that the committee on WAYS
and means be directed to report to the
house bill for the relief Of Cuba sub
Etantially embodying the following pro-
visions: That the president be author
lied 10 enter into a commercial agree
ment with the government of Cuba
when the same shall have been organ
lied and established whereby. on ac-
count Of the relations which have eX-
listed between the United States and
Cuba since 1898 and in consideration of
such reduction of duties as shall be
satisfactory to the president on goods.
wares and merchandise, the growth or
product of the United States imported
into Cuba, he shall agree to pay each
year for three years to the government
OF Cuba sum of money equivalent to
20 per cent Of the duties collected and
paid into the treasury of the United
States on goods. wares and merchan-
disc the growth or product of the is
land Of Cuba imported into this coun-
try"
The debate continued for some time.
and at its close votes were taken. as
recorded above.