The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-11-17
FAvoR<BIIL
DemOCrdtS of the House
will Support Cuban
Reciprocity
CAUCAS DECIDES
The Democrats Will First Try to Sc
cure an Amendment, AbOIiShing
the Differential on Refined Sugar
and Eliminating the Five Year
Clause i'm the Treaty-T'he Action
of the Caucus, it is Understood,
Will be Considered Binding.

Washington, November 14.-After
discussing the Cuban Reciprocity
measure for three hours in caucus
tonight, the Democratic members of
the House of Representatives agreed
to a resolution by vote of 95 to
15, pledging themselves to support
the bill, after efforts have been made
to secure its amendment abolishing
the differential on refined sugar and
eliminating the five year clause in
the treaty. The opposition to this
action came from the members from
Leuisiana, Texas and California. The
three Democratic members from the
latter state said they could not vote
for the measure under any circum-
stances but it is understood, although
not definitely stated, that the action
of the caucus will be considered
binding.
The resolution adopted was pres.
ented by Mr.. Williams, the minority
floor leader. Several ineffectual at
tempts were made to amend it by
the members representing sugar in
terestS. No other subjects were con-
sidered
The resolution adopted is as fo'
lows:
Resolved, That it is the sense of
this caucus that the minority floor
leader be instructed to offer to the
C'Iban reciprocity bill, and to secure
a yea and nay vote thereon if pos
sible, for the following amendment:
Strike from the bill the following
language, beginning in line is and
ending in line 2, page 8.
Provided that while said conven-
ton is in force no sugar imported
from the republic of Cuba and being
the product of the soil or industry Of
the republic of Cuba shall be admit
ted into the United States at reduc-
ton of duty greater than 20 per
centum of the rates OF duty thereon
as provided by the tariff acts of the
United States approved July Gath,
1897, and no sugar, the product Of
any other foreign country shall be
admitted by treaty or convention in
to the United States while this con-
vention is in force at lower rate
of duty than that provided by the
proved July cath, 1897.
And insert the following in lieu
thereof:
That upon the making of said
agreement and the issuance of said
proclamation and while said agree
ment shall remain In force there
shall be levied collected and paid in
lieu of the duties thereon now pro-
vided by law on all sugars above No.
16 Dutch standard in color and on
all sugar which has gone through !"
process of refining, imported into the
United States, one cent and S25-
1000 of one cent per pound"
Resolved further: That upon the
adoption or rejection of this amend
ment by the House, it is the sense Of
this caucus that the Democratic
members of the House should vote
| for the bill as a step in the direction
| of freer and more untrammeled trade
| between the United States and Cuba.
Resolved furthermore. That it is
| the sense of this caucus that II a
| rule shall be brought into the House
| from the committee on rules shut
| ing off amendment, it is the duty OF
| the Democratic membership of the
House to vote unanimously against
| that rule.