The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-23

general duty on the refined sugar
from $3.50 per hundred, as now pro-
vided for in the law, to $1.521R. 1t
then provides for additional reduc-
tons in periods of three and six
years until the duty is finally re-
duced to $1.271x. 1. leaves the Cuban
20 per cent preferential stand as 1t Is
now because 1 do not think It wise
at this time to disturb the reciprocal
relations we have with Cuba; and I'M
der this amendment the duty on Gu
ban 96 which is the real protective
duty the American producer re-
ceives, will be reduced immediately
to s1.14 and ultimately to Sf-2 Genus
1 believe these reductions can De
made with absolute safety to our SUI
gar industry and that it would con-
tinue to grow and prosper. II TINS
should prove true, then we VIII nave
developed a domestic sugar supply ~
a less burden upon our people tnaI
has any other country in the world
history. chat
men who know that this bill is Wfone
are not only willing to acqulesce IN Us
nassa ge. but are actually supporting II;
n every senator in this body shoulo
vote his honest judgment on TINS sCheu-
nile it would be defeated. There are
many senators here who DelleVe ina
free sugar is wrong and not Tor the OeSs
interests of their country, yet they VIZ
vote for it. They say that they DO TINS
for the sake of party harmony a:lo
regularity. They are obeying the ue-
cree of a party caucus against their
consciences, the interests of their con-
stituents. and what they believe to be
the welfare of their country.
Caucus Domination Denounced.
This leads me to suggest that while
/ believe the bill itself to be imperfect
and unjust L regard the manner OF It's
to- inf mr.
ago. with all the vehemence of which
was capable, L denounced the stiff
necked and arbitrary methods or the
Republican leaders then in control OF
the national legislature, and l hold the
same view now. But Mr.. Aldrich. az
the very apex of his political power.
when he dominated the proceedings OF
this chamber as few men have in the
history of this country. never had the
hardihood to propose such outrageous
and unwarranted methods in the max
ing of his tariff bill as have been fol-
lowed by the majority in control OF this
congress.
Bold as Mr.. Aldrich was in the eX-
ecution of his desires. he never under
took to perfect legislation in the secret
sessions of a partisan caucus, where
debate was muffled and willy statesmen
with impunity could conceal their at
titude on vital questions from their
ing of the positions taken by its repre-
sentatives in the star-chamber pro-
ceedingS of a secret caucus except as
information leaks out through the key.
holes. BY the caucus process less than
20 per cent of the members of this body
can control its action, and L have been
informed that in the making of this bill
that has actually occurred. Yet full
grown, self-respecting men will not
only tolerate such a system, but actual
~ defend it, L cannot find language
strong enough to express my abhor-
renee of such a policy.
ITO frame a great bill like this af
fecting thousands of industries and the
welfare of millions, in a secret party
caucus. where the people of the country
are not permitted to know the position
taken on such measure in detail by the
men sent here to represent them, is IL
menace to free government, and the
party or administration that is respon
sible for the establishment of such 4
system of legislation merits the uu-
measured condemnation of the Ameri-
can people," L. w. THAVIS. y