The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-11

CAUCUS VOTES FOR SCHEME, AS
sURING SUCCESS IN HOUSE.
Twenty-Five Votes Against Proposition
but Acccde to Wishes OF Majority
Some Already Pledged TO Fight the
Bin.

Washington. Feb. Favorable ac-
ton OF the house on the Canadian re-
ciprocity agreement was assured to-
night when the caucus of Democratic
representatives formally pledged the
party vote for the agreement.
The resolution lndorsing the Cana
dian agreement vas carried 90 to 30.
On motion OF Mr.. Clark of Missouri
the action Of the caucus was made
uRauimCps.
The % who voted against the reso-
luton, IL was explained later. were
those who had voted for free lumber,
ETC.. ard their action in caucus was
TO make their position consistent. 1t
was stated that they would vote with
the party.
The resolution as adopted by the
caucus follows:
Whereas. the Canadian reciprocity
agreement negotiated by the reciproci-
~ commission OF the Dominion os
Canada and the president Of the
United States. while not formulated
In accordance with Democratic plat
form demands. Is a reduction of some
OF the prohibitive schedules in the
Payne tarifr law and will tend to ex-
pand the trade OF the United States in
the Dominion OF Canada. and is in
part n recognition Of the principles
the Democratic party has contended
for In the congress and In Its plat
forms; thefeore be Il
Resolved. That this caucus indorse
the Canadian reciprocity agreement
and bind ourselves to vote for a bill
carrying II into effect"
The caucus unanimously adopted a
resolution by Mr.. Cantrill Of Kentucky
declaring that the cacus believes that
every American farmer should have
at his disposal "the information OF the
production and stocks on hand of ag-
ricuitural products and pledge our
selves to attempt to bring about that
cnu oy iestslanOn.
More than 100 attended the caucus.
Champ Clark and Mr.. Underwood of
Alabama led the movement to indorse
the reciprocity agreement.
Messrs. Hammond OF Minnesota.
Brantley Of Georgia. Webb Of North
Carolina. Legare OF South Carolina
and others spoke IN opposition.
Mr.. Brantley urged postpoining ell
such legislation until the next con-
sress. rather than put on Tie slatu..
books measure that will be the Re-
publican's campaign material. Mr..
Brantley objected also on the broad
ground Of the disadvantage that such
legislation would impose upon the
raw material OF the producer. He
suggested that reciprocity would let
American automobiles into Canada
cheaper. but operated disadvantage
ously to the American farmer. Mr..
Webb talked similarly as to raw ma
terials.
Mr.. Webb announced that he could
not vote for the bill allowing free raw
materials. Three Democrats invoked
the caucus rule which exempts
man from tho binding effects Of eau
Gus action when he has made a pledge
to the contrary TO his constituents.
Webb OF North Carolina. Pujo and
Broussard Of Louisiana and Ham
mond OF Minnesota had made pledges
TO their constituents to vote for raw
materials as against the manufac-
lures.
Mr.. Glass of Virginia opposed re-
oiprocity and Mr.. Hardy OF Texas fav-
ored IL.
The reciprocity agreement was en-
bodied In the Mccall bill. which was
the measure directly before the
caucus