The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-13
TO BE NO AMENDMENTS
OHered to the Cuban Treaty Bill by
Democrats.

Washington, Dec. 12.-The Democratic
senators in caucus to-day practically
reached the conclusion not to offer
any amendments to the Cuban reciproc-
ity bill when it comes up to be voted
on in the Senate next Wednesday,
but the result was not arrived at
until after there had been a spirited
exchange of views on the subject.
The caucus was called at the instance
of the Democratic Steering Committee,
which presented a recommendation
against amendments on the ground that
if offered, they and not the bill itself,
would be made the basis of discus
sion.
The caucus was an animated one and
was sharply divided on the point at
issue, some of the senators contend
ing that numerous amendments should
be presented and others holding Out
against any effort whatever to change
the character of the bill and standing
for straight party vote against 1t.
The caucus continued until after the
beginning of the regular daily session
of the Senate and in the end the COM
mttee won it's point.
The caucus also considered some
complaints made by senators con-
corning the early adjournment of the
Senate on Thursday. Senators who
filed complaints expressed the opinion
that the Thursday session should have
continued, in order to afford opportuni-
ty for speech making, and some of
them suggested that an effort should
be made to extend for a day or two
the time for discussion, which would
have the effect of postponing the final
vote beyond next Wednesday, the date
unanimously agreed upon for the vote.
Senator German presented the diff
culties of changing a unanimous I'M
derstanding, and it was ultimately de-
cided to allow the present arrangement
to remain undisturbed.
According to agreement between the
parties, the time on Tuesday and We'd
nesday is to be divided between the
Republicans and Democrats. The
point was made in the caucus that, as
the Republicans had been responsible
for the early adjournment on Thursday,
they should be willing to at least give
the major part of the remaining time
to the Democrats. The proposal was
considered at length with the under
standing that if the time for vote
cannot be extended it will be impossi-
BILE to disturb the agreement in re-
gard to a division of time.
The only important vote taken by
the caucus was on a motion offered by
senator Berry, eliminating the nNe- year
provision of the bill. and most of the
debate was upon this proposition. 1t
broadened, however. into a discussion
of the general question as to whether
the bill should be amended in any par
ticular Most of the senators spoke,
but the majority of them expressed
themselves as unfavorahle to amend
ments. There was especial objection
to the Berry amendment, because it
was considered that its adoption would
be a violation of the treaty with Cuba.
The motion was declared defeated with
out a division.
Senator German expressed the opin-
ion that in view of the treaty the best
policy for Democratic senators is not
to offer any amendments.
Other senators who agreed with him
were Messrs. Clay, Blackburn and Bal
ley, while Senators Berry and Patter-
son and others contended for the OPP
posite course. The general trend of
| the discussion was favorable to the
view that the Steering Committee
should be sustained.
The caucus adjourned to meet next
Monday for the purpose of discussing
the general policy to be pursued by
the Democrats during the present SEES
sion with reference to the situation in
| Panama. the Postoftice Department
records. etc.