Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-21
SENATOR'S TALK RECIPROCITY
Several Speeches Made in Support of Meas
ure and Two Against 1t,
ADJOURNMENT TAKEN WITHOUT ACTION
For 1,Ser Urges His Colleagues to Get
" ser in support of Measure,
II, ~. Has Become Party
NN2estion.
wAsHINGTO.

WASHINGTO. ',f/ The republican
senators held anol. snce today on
the question OF Cuban .ocity and after
three hours discussion b .journed, subject
to the call OF Chairman Allison, without
action. Almost all the republican senator's
who were in the city were present. There
were eight or nine speeches made in sup
port OF reciprocity and only two in opposi-
tion to the policy. This was in accord with
a previous understanding that as the beet
sugar senators had monopolized the atten-
tior Of the conference on Wednesday night,
their opponents today would have the
greater share OF the time. The speeches
in support Of the reciprocity bill we're made
by Senators Foraker, Beveridge, Lodge
Hale, Warren, Aldrich, McComas and
Hanna, Senator Platt Of Connecticut adding
few words to what he had said at the
Wednesday evening meeting. The two
speeches in opposition to the proposed leg
islation were made by Senators Burton and
Burrows The speeches for reciprocity we're
all along the same general line and without
exception were pleas for legislation and for
party harmony.
Foraker Pleads for Unity.
Senator Foraker opened proceedings with
an appeal to his party colleagues to get
together in support Of this measure, which
had, he said, become a party question, hav-
ing been made so by the attitude not only
of the present chief magistrate, but by that
OF his honored predecessor. He said with
some appearance Of feeling that men could
not be with the party at one time and
against 1t at another and maintain their
prestige. He also spoke of the necessity OF
maintaining the most cordial relations with
Cuba.
Senator Beveridge dwelt on the growing
Importance of American trade with the out
side world and said the present opportunity
to extend our hold on the good will OF the
Cuban people should not be lost.
Senator Lodge dwelt with especial weight
on the Importance of the republican sena-
tors standing together at this critical point
in the party's history. Much prestige and
future national standing, he said, might de-
pend on the step now taken, for all the
world was watching with interest our
treatment Of the Cuban people. He de-
clared that opposition would not suffice to
prevent the continued presentation Of this
matter until success should be obtained
and was quite positive that II reciprocity
with Cuba was not secured now II would
be later.
Warren Favors Harmony.
Senator Warren spoke briefly in the in
terest OF party harmony. He thought that
all the resources Of the republican senators
ought to be exhausted to secure co-opera-
ton before attempting to take final action
Senator McComas declared his adherence
to the senate reciprocity bill, saying thai
he considered it In the interests of the
whole country to enact such legislation al
outlined N that
Senator Hale said that II would be dis
tinctly understood that in supporting this
measure he did not surrender his principles
as a protectionist. He was inclined, h
said, to hesitate somewhat before accept
| ing the modern day reciprocity idea, bu
reciprocity with Cuba he regarded as en-
titled to somewhat different consideration
| from reciprocity with other countries, be
| cause Of the obligation we had assumed to
| ward that island. He believed that tn
| Cuban people would secure the benefit o
| the proposed reciprocal relation with tha
| country and said he was willing to sc
Cuba up in housekeeping.
| Senator Aldrich spoke at some length
He dwelt with special emphasis on th
necessity of the party's presenting a soil
| front at this time and with respect to thi
| measure.
Senator Hanna Talks of Aid.
Senator Hanna spoke on the question q
extending the proper aid to Cuba as a mora
question, saying that our obligations to tn
Cuban people were such that we would nc
be true to ourselves as a nation II we shoul
fail to give them an encouraging hand q
the beginning OF their national career. II
referred to President McKinleys attitud
on this subject and quoted the president
Buffalo speech as making it imperative o
this government to enter into proper re
ciprocal relations with Cuba.
The meeting had almost concluded whe
Senator Burton Of Kansas took the floor t
make a brief but impassioned and eloqueT
speech in support and defense OF the att
tude OF the beet sugar republicans. II
took as his text certain remarks whic
had been made by Senator Plat OF Connect
icut at the Wednesday evening meeting an
by Senator Foraker at today's meeting. II
spoke especially with reference to an int
nation that the beet sugar senators wer
not loyal to the party.
The conference adjourned TO meet at III
call OF the chairman and 1t is generally be
lieved that another meeting will occur SON
time next week.