Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-17

The Senate was prompt in taking up
the Cuban reciprocity bill and Spooner
was Immediately recognized. He be-
gan by remarking that it was strange
that the Senate should find it neces-
sary to spend SO much time in consid-
Grafton of a bill which had been so
promptly accepted by the House. This
attitude. he declared, was inconsistent
with the attitude of senators who not
so long ago were engaged in accusing
the white-faced patient man who then
occupied the Executive Mansion with
Interior motives in standing out against
war with Spain for the liberation of
Cuba.
Spooner spoke of the varying posi-
tons of the opponents of the bill and
especially OF the Introduction OF the
Newlands resolution inviting Cuba to
become part of the United States.
deprecating it and saying that he hoped
it would be postponed indefinitely be-
cause, he said, sometimes invitations
are regarded as commands.
Spconer said the NeWlands reSolu-
ton was in direct opposition to the
Teller resolution. Mr.. Mckinley had
put it all in 4 sentence when he said
that our Intervention must be placed
on high ground and that the island
must not be demanded as an indem-
nifty. We could not, he said, do less,
and no nation interfering between a
cOiony-Owing government and one OF
it's colonies would be permitted by
other nations to do SO for the increase
of its own territorial area except in
rare cases, and he believed that but for
the Teller resolution there would have
been a concert of action on the part
of the European powers against the
United States in it's war with Spain.
For these reasons, he said, he was op-
posed TO the Newlands measure More
over he was opposed to the admission
10 privileges of statehood of a people,
80 per cent. Of whom were unable to
read and write.
Lets confine our population so far
as we can to our own race" he said.
Spooner also replied to the charge
that the bill is in the interest of the
Sugar Trust, referring to the differing
motives attributed by the opponents
of the bill to the senators who favor.
Some of Them, he said, SAY we are
sincere but stupid: others that we are
able but dishonest. AS to which OF
these accusations is correct" he con-
Guided, eve will leave them to settle
WITH their Democratic colleagues who
support the bill"
Spooner referred to the House bill of
the lest session reducing the duty on
slgar and spoke OF the fact that Teller
had challenged the Republican sena-
tors to pass it, notwithstanding it
would have been deadly blow to the
beet sugar interests. He added his
opinion that if Teller had believed that
the challenge would have been accept
ed he would not have made it.
Teller admitted such to be the case.
He did not believe that Republican
senator's would accept the bill because
it removed the differential duty on re-
fined sugar. He said, however, that he
would have kept his word.
Teller referred to the influence behind
the bill which he said arc those not
only Of the sugar trust but those of the
executive office.
Spooner declared that none of the
senators had surrendered their indie
pendence and he did not consider such
a charge as courteous to fellow sena-
tors. Il resent" he said" the notion
that the executive can follow a bill
into the Senate and have never known
an executive who violated his own
office by invading other departments Of
the government"
He added, however, that he with
others had resented the propaganda of
a year ago in the interest," Of reciproc-
ity. Il did not" he said, like to re-
ceive communications from officers of
the United States serving in Cuba in
structing us as to our duty"
Bailey asked Spooner why he was
willing to vote for the pending bill
when he had opposed the House bill of
(CanfinuAd On na.e -