The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-04-13
PORTO RICAN
BILL PASSES
Democratic Opposition Founded
on Scott and Calhoun.
In Sharp Discussion Col. GrosvenOr
Downs Mr.. Richardson-Go Good
Times Coming for Porto Rico.
Especial Correspondence. J

to 1853 mays, eight majority. Every
affirmative vote was given by Re-
publican, except that of Sibley, of
Pennsylvania. Nine Republicans voted
against the bill, Crumpacker, of In
diana Fletcher and Heatwole, of
Minnesota; Lane, of Iowa, Little
field, of Maine; Lorimer, of Illinois;
Mccall, of Massachusetts; Henry @.
Smith, of Michigan and Warner, of
Illinois. All the Democrats present
either voted against it or were paired
against it. Altogether there were
sixteen pairs, fourteen Republican
and two Democrats for and sixteen
Democrats against the bill.
1t was day of action and excite
ment. The Committee on Rules met
at II a. m. and framed an order which
was introduced by Mr. Dalzell i'm
mediately after the reading of the
journal 1t provided for the taking of
the final vote at five o'cock and on
this he moved the previous question.
under the rules to such motion.
Thus the last stage of this long legis-
latiVe contest was on. Mr.. Dalzell
contented himse If in opening with a
simple statement of the parliamentary
situation of the bill and the Senate
amendments. He was followed by
Mr. Richardson, who injected into the
discussion a partisan allegatio IL that
set the House in an uproar. He quoted
statement from a local paper of good
standing made while the bill was
pending in the Senate, to the effect
that leading Republican member of
the House who had voted for the bill
had said that the bill was bought and
paid for by certain interests, payment
to be made by huge contribution by
the interests named to the Republic
can campaign fund
Mr.. Babcock, of Wisconsin, chair
man of the Republican Campaign
Committee, sprang to his feet and
entered hot denial of the story and
challenged anybody to name the Re-
publican member who was responsible
for the statement. Nobody named
him.
Mr. Grosvenor, of Ohio, the Presi-
dents personal representative on the
floor, also denied the story, denounc-
ing its author, whoever he might be-
as liar. He explained that he
wouldn't say the statement had not
been made, for of that he knew moth
ing, but he did say that if anybody
had made the statement that person
was a liar. He challenged Richard
son to bring in resolution of inves-
tigation and declared it would be
passed in fifteen minutes. Richard
son said he wasn't responsible for
the statement and had not made it of
his own knowledge.
"Oh. no., retorted Grosvenor, with
delicate repartee, that is like the
shining slippery character of the
gentlemen.
Mr.. Dalzell closed this part of the
days discussion in few minutes of
dignified remarks in which he said the
Democrats found their law in the
bred Scott decision and their politics
in the philosophy of John @. Calhoun,
while the Republicans drew their law
from the Constitutional expositions of
Daniel Webster and their politics from
the platform on which Abraham
Lincoln was elected President. He
believed the day was not far distant
see that the Republican majority of
Congress was right and would recog-
nize the course of that majority as
wise aud benefcent for the people of
Porto Rico in spite of the erroneous
teachings of Democrats, Mugwumps
and a misguided press.
After the adoption of the rule the
remainder of the time, three and a
half hours, was equally divided be-
tween those favoring and those op
posing the bill, as is always the case
i'll the House. Promptly at 5 O'Clock
the clerk began calling the roll for
the final vote. 1t proceeded monoton-
ously until the Speaker, after the
names of all the other members had
been called, directed the clerk to call
his name. 1t was done and Speaker
Henderson responded aye in a loud
voice, whereat the Republicans ap-
plauded him. The reason for the
applause is that the Speaker does not
have to vote unless he sees fit, except
whern there is a tie, and Speaker
Henderson S voting for measure that
has been severely criticised by many
Republicans and Republican papers is
justly regarded as proper acceptance
of responsibility by him as he has
uSeu dill MS lunueuce, ana undu OI
Speaker is necessarily great because
of his Office and in this case because
of the personal popularity of the in
cumbent to secure the original pas
sage of the bill and again for con
currence in all the Senate amend
meDts. At 5. 40 the result as above
stated was announced and was greeted !
by the Republicans with loud and
prolonged applause. The bill now
goes to the President, who will, it is
expected, sign it this week Should |
he fail to sign it and not return it
vetoed within ten days after receiving
it it would become law without his
signature, but he will sign it.
The bill as it was finally passed |
through Congress gives to Porto Rico
very fair form of civil government |
with as great measure of local self
government as the Porto Ricans prob
ably can utilize to advantage at this
time. The Governor and executive |
officers are to be appointed by the |
President and confined by the Senate, |
and so with the judicial officers. This
is the same as with the territories of |
Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. |
(y0,affnale0 ON Ei0hfh PfY0p