The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-04-25
CUBA AND. THE
UNITED STATES,
Speculation as to Future Of
This Beautiful island.
THE ANNEXATION QUESTION.

A Kentucky Coneressman's Ideas rs to
How It May Become State Of the
Unicn - President Taft and the
"oats"-Hcw the Credit For Tariff
Bills Goes to Aidrich
Washington, April 22.-[Special. IA
great many public men think it will
not be many years before Cuba will lie
il part Of the United States Some are
of the opinion that the Cubans eventu-
ally will ask to be annexed. Others
believe that wrangles are going to
break out in the island that will COM
pei our government to take possession
and put Il stop to the turbulence. Rep
resentative Helm Of Kentucky. who
has been giving the subject much
thought. has introduced Il concurrent
resolution in the house which is virtu-
ally an invitation to the Cubai!s to call
an election and decide by vote if they
want to be one Of the states Of this
Union in time. OF course if Cuba does
come in the island will hardly be made
a state at the beginning: but. once uIi-
der the rule absolutely Of the United
States, so many of the people from the
mainland would settle down there
that it would not be long before state
would be carved out. Mr.. Helm does
not expect to try to secure action on
bis resolution this session, but he will
Hs<1p,
diets that the next time the United
States flag goes up in Cuba it will stay.
President Thomas Jefferson had his
eye on Cuba more than hundred
years ago and thought 1t ought to be
acquired by Uncle Sam.
A Dream Of the Future.
IL their talks a great many Of the
congressman advance the idea that. SO
far as sugar is concerned. If Cuba were
to be annexed to this country and the
proper legislation were forthcoming
fer the Philippines. Porto Rico and
Hawaii the United States before many
more years should roll by would
not have to depend upon any other ma
ton for supply of this staple. All
that our people need could be produced
!! under the American flag. and there
would he employment for an enormous
population The duty under such Il
state Of affairs would be removed on
the raw article. ard the masses should
be able to purchase sugar at reduced
cost. 1t would cause a howl. no doubt.
among the growers of the sweet sta
pie in the south. hut they are only a
small part of the population even Of
that section and would not he consid-
cred in the equation when it came t"
benefiting the entire population.
Some Discouraged, Others Pleased.
President Taft is going so slow in
making changes in the offices that the
''outs'' who have swooped down on
Washington in large numbers are dis
ccuraged The intimation which has
reached headquarters. however. is that
| the ''ins'', are very much pleased with
| the hardness of the large gentleman
| in the White House. But ut the same
time the men holding federal jobs are
doing all they can to fortffy them
selves and apparently are taking no
| chances.
Always Accredited to AIdrich.
When Senator Bailey introduced his
amendment to the tariff bill for an in
| come tax Senator Aldrich quickly asked
| the Texan IL he had any idea how
much revenue such provision would
| produce in the event 1t should become
a part of the law. Mr.. Bailey an
swered that he could come no nearer
| it perhaps than could the Rhode Island
senator If he were requested to state
| how much his tariff bill would pro-
duce. Mr. Aldrich didn't crack smile
| when the measure was called Ibis. y
| but other senators could not keep down
| their risibles. for It has been the fash
| ion for nearly twenty years to speak
Of all the tariff bills, with the excep-
| ton Of that passed during the last
Cleveland administration. as having
| been absolutely dictated by Mr.. Al
| lrich.
| Not Grievinq Over Past Honors.
| Colonel Pete Hepburn, noted as be-
| ing the author of the railroad rate
law. and jolly Jim Wadsworth. for
many years congressman from one OF
| the districts up in New York. were
chatting merrily in front of President
Taft's Offices. A tall. quick stepping
man suddenly appeared. 1t was for
mer Representative Charles E. Little
field of Maine. who voluntarily retired
SO he said. though Sam Gompers claims
be didn't But. at any rate. he's out
too, and when Wadsworth saw him hi
exclaimed, "Why. hello. Ext" Little
fields greeting was. ''How are you
.Ex'sy" And then they all laughed
aud agreed that it might have been
worse.
Chief Merit Of One Committee.
II consider that l am member OF
the very best senate committee" said
Senator Bradley of Kentucky. ut is
known as Revolutionary claims. Their
are only three of us on that committee
Bailey Of Texas is chairman. am the
second man and former Secretary OF