The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-13
WON'T ATTEMPT TO AMEND.
Democratic Senators Caucus on the
Cuban ReciprocityETreaty.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, d. c., Dec. 12.-The Dem
ocratic Senators in caucus today practical
ly reached Il vote not to offer any amend
ments to the Cuban reciprocity bills when
it comes up to be voted on in the Senate
next Wednesday, but the result was not
arrived at until after there had been a
very spirited exchange of views on the
subject.
The caucus was called at the instance of
the Democratic Steering Committee,
which presented a recommendation against
amendments, on the ground that if Of
fered they and not the bill Itself, would
te the basis of discussion. The caucus
was an animated one and was sharply di-
vded on the point at issue, some of the
Senator'S contending that numerous
amendments should be presented and
others holding out against any effort
whatever TO change the character of the
bill, and standing for a straight party
vote against it. The caucus continued
until after the beginning of the regular
daily session of the Senate and in the end
the committe won its point.
The caucus also considered some com
plants made by Senator'S relative to the
early adjournment of the Senate on Thurs
day. Senators who filed these complaints
expressed the opinion that the Thursday
session should have continued, in order
to afford opportunity for speech making,
and some of them suggested that an effort
should be made to extend for day or two
the time for discussion, which would have
the effect of postponing the final vote be-
yond next Wednesday, the date unani-
mously agreed upon for the vote Senator
German presented the difficulties of
changing a unanimous understanding
and it was ultimately decided to allow the
present arrangements to remain undis-
turbed.
According to agreement between the
parties the time on Tuesday and Wednes-
day is to be evenly divided between the
Republicans and Democrats The sugges-
ton was made in the caucus that as the
Republicans had been responsible for the
early adjournment on Thursday, they
should be willing to at least give the
major part of the remaining time to the
Democrats. This proposal was considered
at length with the understanding that if
the time for vote cannot be extended it
will be impossible to disturb the agree
ment in regard to division of time.
The only important vote taken by the
caucus was on a motion offered by Sena-
tor Berry, eliminating the five year pro-
wilson of the bill, and wost of the debate
was upon this proposition. tt broadened,
however, into discussion of the general
question as to whether the bill should be
amended in any particular. Many of the
Senator's spoke, but majority of them
expressed themselves as unfavorable to
There was especial objec-
ton to the Berry amendment because it
was considered that its adoption would
be a violation of the treaty with Cuba.
The motion was declared defeated without
a revision.
Senator German expressed the opinion
thta in view of the treaty the best policy
for Democratic Senators is not to offer
any amendments.
Other Senators who agreed with him
were Messrs. Clay Blackburn and Bailey,
while Senators Berry and Patterson and
others contended for the opposite course.
The general trend of the discussion was
favorable to the view that the Steering
Committee should be sustained.
The caucus adjourned to meet next Mon
day for the purpose of discussing the gen
eral policy to be pursued by the Demo
Gratis during the present session with
reference to the situation in Panama, the
postofflce department records etc.