Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-13
MUST DEFEND SUGAR. MN
Dietrich Will Oppose Cuban Treaty if Bsst
Growers Lose Demalc,.
SENATE INFORMALLY TALKS RECIPROCITY
Nebrnskan Claims Amendment Limit
ing Reduction in Duties Is Neces-
snry, Though OTHERS SAP Trust
Alone VIII BENEFIT.

WASHINGTON. March 12.-The open ses-
sion Of the senate today lasted FIVE minutes.
Mr.. Kean IN. " reported back favorably
from the committee on contingent expenses
the resolution introduced yesterday by Sen
ator Allison 10 authorize the committee on
rules to sit during the recess for the pur-
pose of examining the rules and it was
adopted.
In this connection Mr.. Plat CONN gave
notice Of a modification OF the rules which
he proposed by which the senate at any
time by a three-hfths vote could
make an order fixing the time at
which a vote should be taken upon any
pending question and fixing the limit Of
time any senator could occupy in debate
pending such final vote.
This proposition to closure the debate
was in the form Of a resolution. 1t was
ordered TO lie on the table.
Agree on Canal Vote.
On motion Of Mr.. Cullom at 1905 p. m.
the senate went into executive session,
when details " the agreement to vote upon
the Panama canal treaty were discussed.
After the agreement was reached Senator
Morgan did not manifest any disposition
to proceed with the discussion of that
treaty. Senator CulIom thereupon asked
the senate TO take up the Cuban treaty, but
Senator Foster Of Louisiana objected. say
ing tLat his colleague, Senator McEnery,
WHIT desired to speak, was absent. This OBJ
lection prevented formal consideration Of
the treaty as such, but there was more or
less discussion OF the effect of amendment
to require the approval Of the treaty by the
house. The general opinion was that the
treaty could not become effective until
after Legislation by bill or joint resolution,
in which both houses Of congress should
concur.
This was the view taken by the commit
tee on foreign relations, which earlier in
the day so amended the treaty ar to make
it imperative until the house had voted
upon it.
Claim House Must Act.
Senator Teller and others commended that
the action Of the house on reciprocity
treaties is necessary in order to conform to
the constitution. Senator Allison, who al
ways has taken a leading part in tariff and
l financial legislation, was quite emphatic in
his exposition OF this view and cited a mum
Der of reciprocity treaties, in all of which
the cooperation Of the two houses Of con
gress had been secured.
Senator Teller discussed the merits oil
the treaty in detail, contending that it was
a direct thrust at the sugar industry and
that it would benefit the sugar trust alone
The reduced duties on raw sugar would, hS
said, aid the combine % the extep. Of
$50, 000, 00o annually.
He also discussed the amendment recon-
mended by the committee on foreign rela.
tions, which provides that the reduction OF
Cuban sugar during the life of the treaty
shall not be more than 20 per cent and thar
during this time there shall be no reduc,
ton on sugar imported from any Other
country. He Tidiculed this amendment, de.
claring that il had been inserted merely Il
catch the votes If senators from sugar.
producing states. He asserted that it coulC
have no possible effect in binding the gov.
eminent Of the United States If congress.
should decree otherwise. In other words
this enactment could be repealed just as &
statute might be by congress.
Dietrich Defends Amendment.
Senator Dietrich defended the amend.
ment. He admitted the provision could b,
repealed, but that was not likely to happen
He and some Of the other beet sugar sena.
tors had exerted their influence to have tn,
amendment adopted by the committee ant
its acceptance or nonacceptance would de,
termine his final vote on the ratification o
the treaty. Without the amendment b.
was opposed TO the treaty.
The doors we're Their opened and Mr.. Tel
Ter introduced the following resolution
which was allowed to lie on the table:
Resolved. That the judiciary committe
be directed TO report to the senate whethe
the president, by and with the advice o
the senate, can negotiate treaties with for
etgn governments by which the dutie
levied by congress on importations can b
changed or abrogated.
At 2:25 the senate adjourned.