Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-03-10
DlssENsloN AMONG DEMOCRATS
House Minority Badly Divided on
Question of Cuban Reciprocity.


Question of Cuban Reciprocity.
Washington, March S.-Cuban SUI
gar has not confined it's dissension-
breeding propensities to the republic
can ranks in the house. but has caused
| a ferment on the democratic side
which promises to produce no small
cause for contention as the discussion
of the proposition progresses. In the
/ early stages of the controversy among
the republican members on the Cuban
concession question, the democrats
Viewed with more or less enjoyment
and sought to encourage what they
considered a possible break in the re-
publican ranks. 1t was thought that
the republican trouble might become
so serious that an opportunity might
offer for the democrats to do effective
work. 1t is different now, and the mi-
nority is apparently outdoing the re-
publicans in the number and form of
varying positions taken on the ques-
ton.
To begin with, the Louisiana demo-
Gratis are bitterly opposed to any prop
osition looking to concessions in favor
of the Cuban sugar planters, and Will
oppose their party on any attempt to
reduce the tariff in this direction.
While this is looked upon as a viola
ton of the party tenets, the local in
terest feature of the situation has
saved the Louisiana and Mississippi
delegations from censure by their
party colleagues in the house.
Representative Newlands, of Nevada
offered proposition which found
some favor with democrats. He pro-
posed that the United States invite
Cuba to seek annexation and thus Sc
cure free trade with this country. Mr..
Newlands made Il canvass of the dem
ocrats of the house in support of his
proposition, and found a number of
members who We're ready to champion
his cause. He met with some oppo-
sition, however, among the democrats
who are opposed to territorial expan-
sion in any form and who can not
reconcile the proposed annexation of
Cuba with the position the party has
taken in recent campaigns.
Now Representative Ball, of Texas,
is offering another proposition and is
making canvass of the democrats in |
support of it. He is strongly opposed |
to the plan OF Mr.. Newlands. In dis |
cussng the situation Mr.. Ball said:
Il favor as the greatest relief to
the United States the adjustment of
trust. No reduction in refined sugar
can be made to the American consumer
so long as the differential in favor of
the sugar trust prevents competition
here with the sugar trust and compli-
L., H.
of raw sugars. If congress takes any
action it should be first to abolish the
and, second, to make a
reduction on raw sugar"
Mr.. Ball stated that he was we'll
pleased with the result of his canvass
Of the democratic side of the house and
felt that his measure would be gem
orally supported. He said he would
either present his views in the form
Of an amendment, if bill ever came
before the house, or would have it
done by some members of the ways
means committee.
In the meantime Judge De Almond,
IF Missouri, the leader of the Missouri
delegation, and one of the strongest
men on the democratic side, is in favor
Of voting with the republicans for
reduction of the rates on Cuban pro
lucts. looking upon 1t as just action
toward Cuba, as we'll as in line with
democratic policy on the tariff reduc-
ion policy. The democrats from
Colorado and Arizona are opposed to
my concession that will affect the
oeet sugar interests, and, altogether,
he democrats are as hopelessly divid-
ID on the question as the republicans.
They are entirely unable to profit as
/ party by any division that might
,ome in the republican ranks in the
settlement of the veNed problem.