The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-18
New Mayor Charactefizes His
 Rule as Infamous
PALMA IS AN IMPROVEMENT
House Resumes Discussion of the Gu ban Reciprocity Bill, and Two Strong Speeches Are Made
 By Stephens and Mcclellan.

wasbington. November 1.-The house today resumed consideration of the Cuban hill The only notable incidents oi the dav were the speeches of MT. Stephens, Minnesota. who spoke in opposition to the hill and the speech of Mayor-elect Mcclellan of New York. MT Stephens opnosed the measure for reciprocity with Cnba at inc last session. Today he are,iad that the bill was ''eruel blow at "one of the most promising agncui- tural industries of this country and that the measure will imperil our vast Ior- eign trade"
 MT. Mcclellan delivere,- his valedictory to the house, making an argument In Ia vor of the bill during the course of Whch he criticised the administration or Gen eral Kood in Cuba, and charged the re- nuhlicans with responsibility for what is lacking in the fulhlment of the duty of the Pnited States to Cuba. Under the rule two days more are given for speeches and introduction.
 House Convenes.
 When the house convened today MT. Fowler, New Jersey, and MT. Brundge, ArkanSdS, were SWOAh iAt "heSA the house went into committee of the whole and resumed consideration of the Cuban bill MT. Knapp, republican, New York was the first speaker today. MT. Knapp said that above the commercial reasons why the treaty should be made effective justice to Cuba for the future prosperity of which the United States must be responsible, demanded favorable action on the pending measures.
 MT. Stevens, Minnesota, spoke for thirty minutes in opposition to the bill. He said that while a firm protectionist he be- lieved the time near at hand when some reductions in the present tariff schedule must be made He said it was nonsense to think there will be any great increase in our trade in cuba.~ For the sake of securing some SIP, GOO to $20, GOO 0000. he said the United tSates will exclude mill lion of dollars of it's foreign trade.
 T believe the measure is a cruel blow to one of the most promising dgricul- tural industries of this country, said MT. Stevens, adding that there would be a greater reduction in revenues than esti- mated by advocates of the bill.
 MT. Clark democrat, Missouri, prefaeed his remarks by saying he believed 1t the first duty of democrat to congratulate the reDup1cdnS lildb iShl Wdo pAo in on them. Speaking of the rule cut ting off amendments to the bill, MT. Clark said the probability is that the democrats will control the next house and elect tie next President, adding the more of these ironclad rules you ram down our threats, the more you will have rammed down yours"
 Republicans Helpless.
 Turning his attention to the Cuban bill. Mir Clark declared with emphasis that the republicans could not pass the bill without the democratic vote in the Louse, adding "and you know it."
 MT. Clark then got back to politics and quoted what he termed republican battle cries. Your Uncle Mark invented let well enough alone which he afterwards converted into stand pat Let the able chairman of the ways and means com mttee," MT. Payne added, keep on let ting well enough alone and then, when your Uncle Mark is being punched over the ropes, out in Ohio, by Col. The odore Roosevelt and Senator Foraker" he added flor Gods sake let's keep on letting well enough alone" MT. Mcclellan. who will retire from congress to assume the duties of mayor of New York. followed. He said ! there was argument in favor of the enactment of the bill which above all others and involved the duty and hon. or of the United States. 'As we have made it impossible for Cuba" said Mr. Mcclellan, ito seek alliances elsewhere it is a duty we cannot shirk to permit her to enter into the closest political and commercial relations with us'
 Answering the statement that there Is no reason why the bill should be passed because no benefits accrue to the United States, he said
 Objection Selfish.
 'In view of the formal obligation which we are under to Cuba, this objection Is selfish. but even this objection can be met" He said the liberal concessions made by Cuba in the treaty should cer- tainly permit the United States to obtain monopoly of the Cuban market
 In the course of his remarks Mir Me- Clellan said:
 1.-Two years ago Cuba was on the verge of bankruptcy, and that she has escaped ruin is not due to any effort on our part That she has been able to exist at all during the last three years is because of two reasons. First, the change in her government; second, the marketing of an increased amount of tobacco and sugar. ''In 1902, the spectacular and extrava- gant rule of General Wood after hav- ing saddled upon Havana for ten years the infamous gambling monopoly of the the conservative, economical, sensible and business ike dufnlnlSJfdtlOn or 1reS1- dent Estrada Palma, who has proved himself an executive of the very highest order"
 After quoting figures MT. Mcclellan said:
 Palma Reduces Expenses.
 Tn other words, under President Palma the cost of government Is more than s7.00d000 less per annum than 1t was under General Wood"
 MT Mcclellan said: "And now. after years of waiting. after the spectacle of an insolent lobby practically dominating the congress, We propose to partially full \ fill our pledge to Cuba by giving her this tuppenny measure of relief. that is warranted not to offend the susceptibili- ties of the most sensitive trust in exist ence. We have made q solemn promise to Cuba If republican majority in it's might is only willing partially to keep that promise the blame and the shame rests with the republican party. But the