The National tribune., 1900-03-01

only s3,o00,oo0 was necessary under Il
very liberal estimate. 81 900 900 for civil
government, 81 .000,0 900 for schools, and
$1,000, 900 for public works. Cen Gros-
venor in his Spee2h, had said that 81 800. 900
could be raised from the Internal revenue
tax on rum and $500, 600 from other sources
When the island was back to it's normal
condition in agriculture and manufactures
from S5.00O,000 to $4,000, 900 could be
raised If necessary, by a reasonable tax
on incomes and occupations.
All Porto Ricans wanted was a stable
Government and an opportunity TO take
care Of themselves. The island had been
crs had TO pay from II to Is per cent. inter
est to money-lenders. Considerable horror
had been expressed at Il proposition for Il
loan for Porto Ricans, lest we might have
TO guarantee it. Mr.. Littlefield read from
Gen. Henry's report 10 show that no guar
antee, only the sanction OF this Govern
ment, would ba necessary. Tie loan would
be subscribed for amply, and the Porto
Ricans could be relied upon TO take care
of the payment. A people that could
raise s12, 100000 to help free 80, 900 slaves
Oh the island could certainly pay S., 900, 900,
which was the limit of the loan needed.
Mr.. Littlefield said the bill was against
the advice of Gen. Davis, Goyernor-G eneraI
of the island. against the recommendation
Of William Mckinley, and against the
original recommendation OF the Chairman
of Ways and Means.
81 have seen no sufficient reason for that
change Of 'front.' he added. Il think I
know the reason" Mr.. Littleficld said he
wasn't going TO talk about Andrew Jackson
or Thomas Jefferson or Thomas Benton
or the other notable men of early days. II
was sufficient for him to follow William
Mckinley, a man who had followed Wash
ington and Lincoln, and who was en-
thrDT1ah nd off 81
American people.
In discussing the collection Of revenues.
| ridiculing the. provisions of the bill, Mr..
Littieficld said: Il don't suppose the Con
stitution is anything between u.s."
Il submit that this export tax feature of
Republican, party imposed a tariff on
American labor and American capital?
| What warrant was there for such action2
Lumber and fish now go into Porto Rico
| free. under an executive order. ! say TO
the House that the Republicans of Maine
He read Gen. biiles's proclamation and
said the Republican party had always
been the party of the highest sentiment
| and best standards. The Republic could
afford TO keep all its promises, whatever
the exigencies. Protection TO the citizens
OF the Union could not mean citizens only
of As States.
In the Senate on Saturday Mr.. Tillman
attacked the sugar magnates He said
| the Hawaiian bill proposed to perpatuatn
powerful and INSCRIPTIONS oligarchy
now in Hawaii. This was speaking to
Mr.. Platfs proposed amendment. provjd-
ing that the President should appoint the
Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme
Court and Judges of the Circuit Courts,
aud that the Governor of the Territory
should appoint the other officers the amend
| ment limiting the tenure of office of an
pontee5 TO four years. Said Mr. Tillman:
Il sympathize with the Senator from Con
necticut i'll his efforts to secure a properly
appointed judiciary for the isfands-a
| judiciary not controlled by the oligarchy,
which now has its grip on the islands"
In the House there was further discussion
of the Porto Rcan bill. Two Republican,
speeches were made against the bill. one
by Representative Powers. of Vermont
and one by Representative Tompkins, OF
New York.
On Saturday night a conference was
held OF the Republican members of the
House on the bill. with a view TO reaching
an understanding that would harmoniZe
the differences. Another conference was
held on Sunday night, but no compromise
was reached.
In the Senate on Monday the Hawaiian
bill was under discussion, the principal
speakers being Senators Cullom, Tillman
| and Spooner.
The Porto Rican debate occupied the
| time Of the House.