Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-18
Continuation Of Cuban Debate
in the House.
Stevens, Mimi, Opposes It--Mayor-
Elect McCIel|an's VaIedictory.
Senate Receives Large Number of Bills
and Petitions.

Cuban bill. The only notable incidents
of the day were the speeches of Stevens,
a Republican member from Minnesota,
who spoke in opposition to the bill and
the speech of Mayor-elect Mcclellan Of
New York.
Stevens opposed the measure for re-
ciprocity with Cuba at the last session.
Today, he argued that the bill was a
Cruel blow" at one of the most promis-
ing agricultural industries Of this coun-
try and that the measure will imperil
our vast foreign trade.
Mcclellan delivered his valedictory to
the House, making an argument in
favor Of the bill during the course of
which he criticised the administration
of Gen. Wood in Cuba, and charged the
Republicans with responsibility for
what is lacking in the fulfilment Of the
duty of the United States to Cuba.
Four hours We're devoted, today. to
debate on the measure, 10 members
speaking. Under the rule, two days
more are given for speeches.
When the House convened it went
into committee Of the whole and re-
sumed consideration Of the Cuban bill.
Knapp, Rep. n. Y. was the first
speaker. Knapp said that above the
commercial reasons why the treaty
should be made effective, justice to Gu
ba for the future prosperity of which
the United States must be responsible
demanded favorable action on the pend
ing measure.
Stevens. Rep, Mimi. spoke for 30
minutes in opposition to the bill. He
said that while a firm protectionist. he
believed the time near at hand when
some reduction in the present tariff
schedules must be made. He said 1t
was nonsense to think there will be any
great increase in our trade with Cuba.
For the sake of securing from s12Oo0.eoo
to $40. O0O, 900, he said, the United States
will irperil millions of dollars OF its
vast foreign trade.
Il believe the measure is q cruel DioW
to one of the most promising agrlcui-
tural industries Of this country. SAID
Stevens, adding that there would be a
greater reduction in revenues than es-
timated by advocates of the Dill.
Clark. Dem, Mo-. declared with empl'a-
sis that the reports could not pass the
Cuban bill without the Democratic vote
in tho House. He quoted what he tcrmeo,
Eepublican battle cries. Your Uncle,
Mark invented let we'll enough alone.
He aftecward converted this into stand
nat" and then the able chairman of the
WAYS and means committee Mr.. Payne,
added a little keep on letting well
enough alone" and then, when your IN
Gle MARI, was being punched over the
ropes out in Ohio by Col. Theodore Roose-
Welt and Senator Joseph B. Foraker, he
added "for Gods sake let's keep on let
ting well enough alone
Mcclellan, who soon will retire from
Congress to assume the duties of mayor
of Greater New York. followed. He said
there was an argument in favor of the
ena ctnent for the bill, which rose above
all others, and involved the duty and the
honor of the United States.
"As we have made it impossible for Gu
be-" said Mcclellan, Ito seek alliance
elsewhere, it is duty we cannot shirk 70
permit her to enter into the closest po-
litical 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:
I'm view of the moral 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 constantly
permit the United States to obtain viz
tual monopoly of the Cuban market
In the course of his remarks Mcclellan
said: TWO years ago Cuba was on the
verge of bankruptcy. and that she has es-
capped run is not due to any effort on our
part That she has been able to exist at
all during the last two years is because
of two reasons.
First. the change IN her government;
second. the marketing of an increased
amount Of tobacco and sugar.
I'm 1902 the spectacular and extravagant
rule of Gen. Wood having saddled upon
Havana for. 10 years the Infamous gam
bling monopoly of the Sociedad Anonima
Jai Alai, gave place to the conservative,
economical, sensible and businesslike ad-
ministration of President Estrada Palma.
who has proved himself an executive OF
the very highest order"
After quoting figures, Mcclellan said:
In other words, under President Estra-
da Palma the cost of government is over
81 ,ctO, 900 less per annum than 1t was under
Gen. Wood"
In conclusion, Mcclellan said: And
now at last. after years of waiting after
the spectacle of an insolent lobby practi-
cally dominating the Congress, we pro-
pose to partially fulfil our pledge to Cuba.
by giving her this tuppeny measure OF re-
lief that is warranted not to offend the
siisceptibllities of the most sensitive
trust in existence We have made a SOL
emn promise to Cuba. If Republican
majority in it's might Is only willing to
partially keep that PROMISE the blame
and the shame rest with the Republican
party: But the bill rs unquestionably a
breach in the wall of protection"
Mcclellan received the applause of his
colleagues when he had concluded.
Crumpaeker. Rep. Ind!s said reciprocity
was not in harmony with the tariff policy
OF this country as exemplified in the last
two Republican tariff bills. 1t is not sci
entiAc, ne added and a reciprocity policy
based on special agreements with all COM.
mercial powers arrests the operation of
economic laws He said If we are to have
a permanent reciprocity policy we should
put tax on non-competitive articles that
we might have something upon which to
negotiate.
Douglass. n. Y. and Morell. Pa. spoke
on the Republican side of the bill. and
Macon. Ark. Thomas, N. c.. Hughes. N
Continued on page 80