The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-03-09

DOings la Congress.
WASHINGTON, MARCH S-Formai
discussion Of the Porto Rican tariff and
ciyii government bill began IN ihs senate
today and continued uninterruptedly for
four and one half hours. The principal
speakers were Mr.. Foraker republican,
OF Ohio In charge Of the measure and
MIR. Pettus, democrat, of Alabama, but
at various times during the debate lively
colloquies occurred In which other sena-
tors wers participants.
After Mr.. Mason, OF ILL.,, had entered
his motion to discharge the committee on
foreign re ations from further cons dera-
lion of his resolution expressing sympa-
thy for the Beers and IL had gone over
under the rule. Mr.. Pettus delivered a
carefully prepared Tpeech In opposition
10 he pending bill.
Mr.. Foraker occupied the floor duritg
the remainder Of the session, speaking In
dcseLse of the bill
A TIL giving American register to the
steamer W.ndwarl, presented by a Br T.
Ssh citIzev 10 Robert T.. Peary, L. S. N,
the Ayctic explorer. was passed.
RESIDENTS HONESTY.
Mr.. Pettus, OF Alabama, then address
ed the senate on the Porto Rico bill
He congratulated the president on the
position he had taken In his last annual
message. favorng free trade between the
United States and Porto Rico.
mo sordld politicians fingers had been
put into the ink OF that message" he
said. ''The president was honest and
sincere when he distinctly advised free
trade between the United States and the
island OF Porto Rico.
The public press Is now trying 20 make
us believe that the secretary Of war Is
the author Of the pending bill and that
the president has acceded TO the provis-
ions OF the measure. Though he may de-
sire reelection, he was a brave soldier
and is an shle and generous man. For
him IL is nor everything in life to be re-
elected to the presidency by his patty.
He has acted for the common goal OF
all the people. II he approves your bill
then / may believe any vile story
against any good man."
Mr. Pettus called attention to the
amendment proposed by Mr. Davis which
he said was a most interesting specimen
OF the products OF inventive genius. The
senator proposes" said Mr.. Pettus. ITO
send over TO the Porto Ricans the constl-
tuition in installments-a little now and a
little then
Mr. Morgan gave notice of his inten-
tion 10 lay the entire substitute for the
senate committee for the house on the
"a lie.
FORAKER IN SUPPORT.
Mr. Foraker OF Ohio, in charge OF the
impending 49, replied to Senator Pettus
Adverting 10 the criticism aroused by
the bill both I'm newspapers and among
the people. 4dr Foraker said that so far
as he had been informed, no intelligent
and appreciatlve man In Porto Rico had
dlssented from the propositions OF the
measure There may have been some
criticism on the part Of Porto Ricans, but
generally II was accepted as a good
bill.
DAVIS RECOMMENDED FREE
TRADE
Mr. Lindsay inquired II Governor Gem
ernl Davis himself had not recommended
free trade with Porto Rico.
Yes" replied Mr.. Foraker 'he did
make such a recommendation, but the
committee, after full consideration. de-
cided against his proposal. We are here
10 leglslate for the whole United States
and we are forced to consider the Ques-
/ tion from all points OF view. The tar
/ IN provision was conceived In mercy TO
/ the Porto Ricans and IN its generosity Il
is without precedent ia the territorial leg
is.ation of the United States
SIMPLY FOR PORTO RTCANS.
Mr.. Foraker explained the provisions OF
the bill, showing that ali the internal
| revenue taxes and the customs duties
/ instead OF being paid into the United
! States treasury, as had been the case In
1 every other territory would so into the
treasury OF the sland dnd be solely for
the benefit OF the Porto Rcans. In round
/ figures those revenues would aggregate
I $500, 900, about sl,4O),000 from custo,as and
! 10000 from internal revenue.
81 900 900 FOR SCHOOL HOUSES.
! Mr.. Gallinger mterjected ric remark
that IL was proposed 10 spend N,0OO0Oo for
school houses on the island and like
/ sum for the construction Of roads.
YES" continued Mr.. Foraker I'VE pro-
l pose 20 DO that and we propose in that
connection 20 provide the Inhabitants
with remunerative labor and employ
ment."
Continuing the Ohio senator said that
after many years after ali the means o.
| raising revenues had been considered, II
! was found necessary so provide az least
! 81 .0OOO0 more per annum. Then Il war
proposed TO levy a duty Of IS per cent OF
/ the Dngley law on products 9f the is'and
imported into this country ana % turn
the amount SO raised back % Porto Rico.
'''fhc senator admits" said Mr.. DAVIS,
interruptng. chat this handing back Of
revenues 20 a political sub-diviaion OF ihe
/ United states II unprecedented. Then
WAY not raise the revenue as usual ana
II necessary 20 relieve distress Ia Porto