The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-17
HOUSE TAKES UP
 THE CUBAN BILL Rule Cutting Off All Anend-
 mentS is Adopted PAYNE OPENS TIE DEBATE
Sets Forth Reasons Why Passage of the Bill would Be of Benefit to the
 United States and to
Cuba.

Washington, November 16.-The house of representatives began the considera- ton of the Cuban reciprocity bill today MT. Dalzell, republican of Pennsylvania reported a resolution providing that the bill, reported from the ways and means committee, should be considered to the exclusion of all other bills until 4 o'clock Thursday, when a vote will be taken without intervening motion.
 MT. Williams, democrat of Mississippi, speaking for the minority in opposition to the rule, declared that 1t was about the most drastic rule adopted in the house, saying 1t shut off all right to per- feet the bill. He said that the minority desired to offer an amendment which pro- pos to strike out the double barreled pledge" contained in the bill. Applause from the democratic side greeted the statement that the bill tears down one- fifth of the schedules built up by the re- publicans. The amendment it was de- sired to offer, was the one decided on in the democratic caucus Saturday night.
 MT. DeArmond, democrat of Missouri, spoke in opposition to the adoption of the rule that shut off the amendment. He desired to amend 1t. MT. DeArmond was applauded by his colleagues.
 Williams Wants Amendment.
 The rule was adopted 176 yeas to 155 nayes
 With the announcement of the vote, Mir. Williams of Mississippi asked unanimous consent to propose an amendment to the rule for a yea and nay vote on the amend ment, provided for by the minority with the 20-minutes diso usson on each side, vote to be then taken on the bill
 Mr. Payne objected.
 MT. Barnes, assistant secretary of the President, bearing a message from the President, was announced. The message was referred to the committee on foreign affairs. The house then went into com mittee of the whole with MT. Sherman of New York in the chair The minority voted unanimously against the rule. The republicans voting against it's adoption were Messrs. W. A. Smith, Fordney, Loud, McMorran of Michigan, Brooks and Hogg of California. | Mir. Payne opened the debate urging the passage of the bill.
 Would Do No Harm.
 
 wrought to the sugar industry by the legislation now proposed, and likewise. the tobacco industry could not be harmed. He added that no industry would be af- fected by the perfection of the treaty He said in reply to an inquiry that he did not expect new industries to be es- tablished while this question was being agitated.
 Our national pride appeals to us to pass the bill," said MT. Payne, in con- clusion.
 MT. Williams, democrat, of Mississippi, denied that the minority desired to amend the bill in order to kill it, or kill the treaty. He read the minority report glv- ing the reason why the minority desired to amend the bill.
 MT. Williams, held the republicans re- sponsible for the fact that the treaty Is not in effect today. Referring to Payne MT. Williams said:
 'As to that part of his speech which advocates this bill upon it's merits, it is almost as sudden a conversion as that of St. Paul on his way to Damascus it is almost as sudden an occurrence as was this recent birth of the new republic of Panama
 Mir Williams spoke only a few minutes, reserving the right to close the debate for the minority.
 ne Dlngley ACts
 MT Swanson. democrat. Pennsylvania. discussed the points which he said threaten our foreign commerce by the new tariffs passed in other countries in retaliation for the Dingley act. He in sisted that unless concessions are made from the present tariff before long all Europe would be combined in commer- cial warfare against this country. He dis cussed Chamberlain's policy saying that 55 per cent of our foreign trade was with the United kingdom and her colo nies all of which, he said, was jeopardiz- ed by this policy. MT, Swanson then discussed the evils which he said re- suited from the failure of this country to negotiate a treaty with Canada The exclusive policy of the Dingley act, he declared, would destroy our foreign com merce and the republican party would never modify 1t. MT. Swanson said the threatened dangers to the foreign com merce of this country would make tariff reform and reduction the live and burn ing issue in politics.
 Against Republican Policy.
 MT. Robinson, Indiana, taking as his text treasury statement, argued against the republican policy, which he said was that of excessive taxation. He gave figures showing public money held by banks throughout the country, comment ing on the way in which it is distributed, and charging that it is wrung from the people by the present system of taxation.
 At 4:45 D. m. the committee rose and the speaker announced the following members of the committee on enrolled bills: Messrs. Watcher, Maryland. . Burke, Pennsylvania: Wilson, Illinois; F. K. Landls. Indiana; Lloyd, Mssouri; Johnson, South Carolina; Livernash, Cali fornia
 The last three are democrats.
 A letter from Mir. Ball of Texas an nouncng his resignation was read.
 The house adjourned at 450 D. m.