The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-13
Z7He ALDRICH- ROBBINS CONTEST DE-
GIDED FOR THE CONTESTANT
GREAT DISORDER IN THE HOUSE
Mr.. TaIbert Becomes Indignant at the
Language of Mr.. Mahon and De-
nOunces Him-Friday Night Pension
Sessions Abolished Senate Porto
Rican Bill - Senator'S Tiilman and
Hanna Appointed on the Nava
Academy Board.
SENATE.

NNoSaS" VI Az NAA 0AA
civil government bill began in the SEN
ate today and continued uninterrupt-
eddy for four hours and a half. The
principal speakers were Senator For
aker, republican, of Ohio, in charge of
the measure, and Senate Pettus, of
Alabama; but lively colleagues occur
red, in which other senators were par
Elephants.
Senator Foraker occupied the floor
during most of the session. He ex-
\ planned the Measure in detail and gave
Hhe reasons why the committee had de-
a termined upon the levying of a tariff
upon Porto Rican products. In his
opinion it was impossible for a direct
tax to be levied upon the people of the
Island TO support a local government,
because of their present destitute on
.dition- The committee, he said, had
conceived the idea of placing a small
tariff on Porto Rican products in order
TO raise a sum sufficient, with the sum
otherwise raised, to give the people of
the island, not only a good govern
ment. but also to build school houses
and TO make necessary public improve
mentS- Then, too, it was necessary
that the question of the extension of
the constitution over inSular posses
sions should be determined by the su-
prene court, and, by the very proVis-
ions of the bill, it would be inevitable
that the supreme court should pass
upon that question. Porto Rico and
the Philippines, he said, were on the
same basis, so hat the courts deciS-
ion would determine our right to levy
a tariff on products of the eastern ar
chipeiagO.
Senator Mason, of Illinois, moved to
discharge the committee On foreign re-
latIORS from further consideration Of
his resolution introduced December
Sth last. expressing sympathy for the
Beers Under the rules the motion
went over until tomorrow.
Senator Pettus. of Alabama, then ad-
dressed the senate on the Porto Rican
bill. He congratulated the president
Oh the position he had taken in his
last annual message favOring free
trade between the United States and
Porto Rico. He said: The public press
is nov trying 10 make us believe that
the secretary Of var is the author of
tn pending bill and that the president
has aCceded to the provisions of the
me7Surr. For one. l refuse to believe
this charge against the president.
Though he may desire reelection, he
WAS q brave soldier and is an able and
generous man. For him, it is not ev-
esythlng in life to be reelected to the
presidency by his party. He has acted
| for the common good of all the people.
If ne approves YOU bill then L may be-
Eieve any vile story against a good
naH."
Senator Pettus maintained that the
policy ~ he bill was bad, aside from
the question of law. 1T is Illegal he
declared. and is hardly decent"
y SrIItGT Morgan gave notice of his
intention at the proper time, and with
cut restricting debate, to move to lay
the entire substitute of the Senate
committee for the house bill on the
able
Senator Foraker, in charge of the
pending bill. replied to Senator Pettus.
He was OF the opinion that a miSun-
Outstanding Of the measure prevailed
both in the senate and in the COun-
ny. Unsteady of being illiberal." aid
Senator Foraker, the measure is the
most liberal and generous legislation
ever proposed for a territory of the
United States"
THE situation in Porto Rico" he ex-
pleiued, lis anomalous. If the island
is to have schools, good roads and pub
lie improvements. it must get them
through taxation and such taxation
as Is proposed in this bill"
la a COlIOQuy with Senator Hoar,
Senator Foraker finally declared that
the question in point had passed be-
yond the law book stage and had
becGr.e onr of justice and humanity.
Senator Foraker finally replied that
the contention will have to be deter
mined ultimately by the supreme court.
The nature of the provisions of this
bill" he said. make it inevitable. and
then we shall have a settlement of the
question to which we will bow. Porto
Rioe and the Philippines stand on the
same basis. If We cannot levy a duty
on the products Of Porto Rico we can
not levy a duty on the products of the
Philippines. If the Philippines are now
a part of the United States and If we
cannot levy a tariff on their products
we might Just as we'll dismantle our
\ custom houses and go out of the pro
lection business"
Senator Tillman wanted to know why
We must grant concessions to foreign
nations in the Philippines in return
FOR an open door to China
Senator Foraker replied that his
country was under no obligation ex-
crpt a moral one. He thought the
Philippines could not be dealt with as
it was proposed to deal with Porto
Rice.
Senator TiIlman inferred that it was
the purpose to hold to the theory Ot
protection regardless of the plea OF
philanthropy and other questions OF
that character, which Senator Foraker
promptly denied.
Senator Tillman remarked that the
legislation was in the interest OF the
doctrine of destiny, duty and dol
lars.
Senator Hoar urged a direct apprO.
priation. to which Senator Foraker re
piled that could not be depended upon
Senator Foraker said he regarded Portt
Rico as a dependency, not an integra
part of the United States.
Senator Bacon pointed out the allegeC
inconsistency of providing for a dele
gate not a citizen nor elected Dy CIT
liens. to take the oath to obey tn
limited States constitution.
Seuaor Foraker cited Florida, Lou
fSiana and other presidents.
N chair announced the appointment
of Senators Hanna and Tillman a
members of the board of visitors 10 III
naval academy.
At 5 o'clock the senate took a reces
until S o'clock.
At tonight's session, f~ifty-nine page
of the Alaskan code bill was read an
the senate adjourned until tomorrow