The Washington times., 1903-11-15
To Stand by Reciprocity
If the Amendments
Are Rejected.
LOOPHOLE is PROVIDED
Members From Texas, Lou
iSiana, and California May
Cling 10 Constituents.

By vote oc 95 20 Is the Democrats Of
the House In caucus last night decided
- SUP nrt ,he Cuban reciprocity bill
l. ITS present form. even If the amend
n-erts they purpose 10 offer are re-
J7ctea. The action of the caucus how
eyer. IS not absolutely binding upon
tIcse who participated in IL, a loophoie
beng LEFT for those who are virtually
under pledge TO their constituents TO
oppose tariff concessions TO Cuba. 1t Is
Thought the members of the Louisiana
delegation and the California Demo-
cI@ts VIII avail themselves of this con-
cession in the resolution adopted. and
either absent themselves from the
House when the vote is taken or vote
against the measure.
The language OF the resolution sim
ply says ''it is the sense OF this caucus
that the Democratic members of the
House should vote for the bill as a
step in tho direction of freer and more
Untrammeled trade between the United
States and Cuba The Texas members
fought with the Louisiana and the Cali
forrta men against a more stringent pro-
vision binding them to the action OF the
caucus, but Representative Cooper, Of
that State. said after the meeting that
he. with other members Of his deiegn-
tion, felt morally bound to abide by the
resolution and TO vote for the biz in its
present form. and that they would do
so.
The decision OF the caucus was unani-
nous 70 oppose a rule prohibiting
amendments 10 the bill and TO support
an aIaeadment 10 remove the differential
on refined sugar. Mr. williams said last
night he hoped 10 have the support Of
several beet sugar Republicans against
the proposed rule to shut of amend
ments.
The Caucus Resolution.
The resolution of the caucus was pre-
sented Ly AIR. Williams. leader OF the
minority. Il advocates striking. out the
clause IN the bin which provides that
during the life Of the treaty no sugar
shall be admitted TO the United States
from any country save Cuba at a rate
Of duty lower than that fixed IN the
Dinghy act, and to offer in it's stead
an amendment striking OF the dineren-
tiai On refined sugar. The resolution IN
full follows:
''Reaolved. That II is the sense OF the
caucus that tie minority leader be In
structed TO ofIer 10 the Cuban recipro-
city bill and 70 secure an aye and no
vote the-eon. II possible. the following
amendment:
Strike from the bill the following
language:
- Provided, That whi.e said con-
Vention Is in force no sugar imported
from the Republic OF Coba, and being
the product OF the soil or industry OF
the Republic OF Cuba, shall be admitted
into the United States at a reduction
Of duty greater than 20 per cent there
on. as provided for in the tariff act OF
the United States. approved July "a. 1897:
and no sugar, the product Of any other
foreign country. shall be admitted By
treaty or convention into the United
States while this convention is in force,
at a lower rate of duty than that pro-
vided By the tarin act Of the United
States approved July "a. 1897
No 10 Dutch STANDARD.
And insert the following in lieu there
Of:
That upon the making OF the said
agreement. and the issuance OF said
proclamation and while said agreement
shall remain in force In Heu os the du-
ties thereon now provided by law on al
sugar above No. le. Dutch sta dard in
color. and on all sugar which has gone
through a process Of refining imported
into the United States LS25 cents .er
pound.
Resolved further. That upon the
adoption or rejection Of this amendment
OF the House, IL IS the sense OF this
caucus that the Democratic members o.
the House should vote for the bill. as
r step IN the direction Of freer and unore
untrammeled trade between the United
States and Cuba
To Vote Unanimously.
Resolved furthermore. That It is the
sense OF this caucus that II a rule shall
b. brought into the House from the
Committee on Rules. shutting of
amendments. 1t is the duty Of the Dem
ocratic membership Of the House %
vote unanimously"
The discussion upon the resolution was
at times spirited. particularly on the
part Of those who opposed making the
action OF the caucus absolutely binding
The understanding finally reached how
ever. was agreeable to all
No ocher subject was discussed AT the
caucus