The sun., 1903-11-12
AGREEMENTON CUBAN TREATY,
FORM or LEGISLATION TO PUT
1T INTO EFFECT.
II VIII Contain PrOvisO That Nothing in
the Treaty Shall BE Construed as
Giving the Senate Power 10 Enact
Revenue Legislation by Treaty,

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-After several
days and nights of earnest consultation at
the White House and in the commit ee
rooms Of the Capitol, the Republican leaders
of the Senate and House have come to an
agreement upon the general form Of the
legislation to be enacted to put into effect
the Cuban reciprocity treaty ratified by the
Senate ut the last session.
There has been no very serious opposition
within the Republican ranks as to the neces-
siy Of approving the treaty at the ex-
traordinary session called by the President
for that purpose, and the controversy has
been over the long disputed constitutional
point touching the right of the Senate to
enact revenue legislation not originating in
the House. The particular point at issue
is contained in the so-called Lodge amend
ment to the treaty reading as follows:
Prordcd, that while this convention Ia
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 admitted into the United States at re-
duction of duty greater than 20 per centum
of the rates Of duty thereon as provided
by the tariff act of the United States, APP
proved July "a, 1897. and no sugar. the prod
uct of any foreign country. shall be admitted
by treaty or convention into the United
States while this convention is in force at
II lower rate of duty than that provided by
the tariff act of the United States. approved
July "a. 1897.
This language has been held by certain
members Of the House of Representatives
including Speaker Cannon, to imply the
right of the Senate to change the rate of
duty by treaty, and they have been unwill-
ing on that account to approve the treaty as
It stands. 1t has therefore been arranged that
in the bill to he passed approving the treaty
proviso shall be inserted declaring that
nothing in the treaty shall be construed
as giving to the Senate the power to enact,
by treaty or otherwise, revenue legislation
not originating in the House. This, it is
conceded by both sides to the controversy
commits nobody to anything, and leaves
the question to be decided hereafter.
Under this agreement bill will he forth
with prepared, which will give the approval
of Congre ,s to the treaty as ratified, and will
include in it the disclaimer as above stated
and those provisions of the treaty affecting
the importation Of merchandise from Cuba
into the United States. The bill will be
New York, and referred to the Committee
on Ways and Means, the membership Of
which will be announced at once by the
Speaker in order that the bill may be
undera rule providing for the limiting of de-
bate and setting the time for vote. When
passed the measure will go to the Senate and
be referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations, Of which Senator Cullom is chair
man.
1t is now thought that the bill will be
passed in the House not later than the Goth
inst, and will be reported back from
known how much time will be required
for debate in the Senate where there is no
oloture rule, but those in charge of the
matter are hopeful that the whole question
will be disposed of before the time Of the
meeting of the regular session Of Congress
on Dec. 7.