The age-herald., 1900-03-26
PORTO RICO THE
 ABSORBING TOPIC Senate Came Near Agreeing to Vote on Thursday. FORAKER WAS QUITE WILLING Tillman Says it Was Bluff on Forak- CTS Part and Called by His
 Own Side-Will Final
 Ty Pass
 
fORAKER WAS QUITE WILLING

Washington March 25.-(Special )-The senate came very near on Thursday reach ing a vote on the house Porto Rican tariff bill and it would not be surprising if vote were secured before the end of the present week, though 1t may not be had before next Wednesday. However. 1t seems certain that before adjournment on next Wednesday the measure will have been passed without amendment by the senate Of course several amendments will be of fered, one providing for absolute free trade with Porto Rico. and there is certain to be one from the democratic side, declar- ing that the constitution covers Porto Rico, consequently Porto Rico must be in the same situation regarding tariff taxes as the United States and hence all trade be- tween Porto Rico and the United States must be free and untrammelled by tariff duties.
 On Friday Senator Bacon of Georgia was speaking on the Porto Rican appropriation bill conference report, and In the course of his remarks he taunted the republicans with intending to pass the Porto Rtcan ap- propriadon bill only, and deliberately pre- venting vote on the house tariff bill. Sen ator Foraker jumped to his feet asking the Georgian to yield to him. This was done graciously, and Foraker requested the senate to agree to vote on the house tar if bill either on Thursday or Friday. Sen ator Bacon gave no opportunity for an agreement.
 Later Senator Allen of Nebraska. after jcering the republicans because of what he called their policy of delay, finally said they did not dare to have a vote on the tariff bill
 F. raker Wanted a Vote
 Senator Foraker then asked Allen to yield to him, and proposed that the sen- ate permit him to withdraw the civil gov ernment amendments to the house tariff bill and vote Thursday or Friday after noon the house bill
 On the instant there was no objection and the president pro tenn, Mir. Frye, was about to state the agreement, when Sen ator Bacon asked as to the right to offer amendments to the bill, Senator Foraker replied that the right to offer amendments would remain open. An agreement seemed dn sight, when Senator Derrys ignorance of the fact that the house bill was actu- ally before the senate interrupted the agreement, while Senator Morgan ex- pressed solicitude as to the future of the Foraker civil government proposition. Sen tor Foraker told him that measure was on the calandar and would be taken up after the house bill was disposed of.
 Ills colOquy gave tHe Tree trade repuD- licans time to consult, and Sena tor Proc tor said Wednesday was early enough. For aker sought to agree upon Tuesday, but Proctor would not have 1t. Allen and Till man jeered the republicans for their in- ability to agree, and insinuated that For aker had made a buff which his own side had called. Wolcott then moved an eXecu- tive session and the possibility of an agree ment disappeared for that day Neverthe- less it is to be expected that one will be req ached very shortly.
 The willingness of Senator Foraker to have a vote shows that the republican man. agers are confident of thelr ability through party discipline to push the bill through It forces some of the free trade republicans in line. and makes it appear that they will not number a corporal's guard.
 The only question as to the house tariff bill seems to be regarding the time when it will be passed There Is no likelihood of its amendment, and its passage unamend- ed will obviAte the necessity of referring 1t to the house again where Its fate might mean defeat, for the house has heard from the country, and is not only willing but really anxious to give the Porto Ricans free trade