Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1900-04-12
" ASN0T'S0CLOSE.
Test Vote on the Porto Rican
Bill Showed a Safe Ma
u. jority @.%z
For Concurrence in SenateAmend-
lnents---E Eight Republicans
Vote No.
Only Democrat Voting With the
Majority Was sibley Of
II Pennsylvania.

WASHINGTON, April 12.-The closing
struggle over the Porto Rico tariff bill
attracted great crowds to the galleries
and all the preparations indicated a
field day replete with exciting incidents.
Excitement was at a high pitch when
the speakers gavel fell, at noon. As
soon as the reading Of the journal was
concluded, Mr.. Dalzell (Pa.) one of the
leaders Of the majority and a member
OF the committee on rules, presented
the special order under which the house
was to operate. 5-.s
Upon the conclusion Of the reading
of the rule, upon demand Of Mr.. Dal-
zel, the previous question on its adop-
tion was ordered. This gave 20 min
utes for debate on each side under the
rules. Mr.. Dalzell said he would discuss
the rule briefly. On Feb. 90 the house
sent to the senate the Porto Rico tariff
bill. The amendments attached by the
senate furnisheda a civil government for
the island. It was the opinion Of the
majority, he said, that these amend
ments should be concurred in. There
had been enough discussion on the sub
ject, he said. What the country desired
was not debate, but action. Mr.. Rich
ardson, the minority leader, called at
tention to the fact that the rule would
permit the house to vote only upon a
single proposition. Mr.. Richardson
then made a speech against the adop-
tion of the rule.
2E The Rule Adopted. -. r.
Mr.. Dalzen closed for the Republi-
cans. u l<.@ -sa a
Mr.. Richardson was on his feet as
Mr.. Dalzell closed, with motion to re-
commit the rule with instructions to re-.
port new rule and substitute bill
providing for Stree trade between the
United States and Porto Rico.
"Second, civil government for the
territory of Porto Rico, republican in
form" .,.'r .#S' =
The speaker ruled that as the previous
question had been ordered ON the rule.
Mr.. Richardson's motion was not in
order. s54g,1- ~
'tNote, vote" came from many. quar-
ters and the speaker beat lively tattoo
to secure order while the vote was
taken. lat, ~ F..
! The viva yoce vote was indecisive,
and to save time a yea and nay vote
was taken on the adoption of the rule.
The voting was followed with intense
interest. The whips Long and I'm
derwood, lowered about the desk, see
ing that every possible vote was re-
corded q " a. ~
The announcement of the anoption of
the rule-ayes, 15S; noes, 142; present
and not voting, 11-was greeted with
salvos of applause ON the Republican
side. The large majority was a gen
uine surprise. It was regarded as a
test vote. It was decided that the time
remaining, three and a half hours,
should be equally divided between the
two sides, Mr.. Payne and Mr.. Richard
son to control the time on their re-
respective sides Mr.. Payne yielded to
Mr.. Watson Qnd.) who opened the de-
bate.
The Republicans who voted against
the rule were Crumpacker5 Of Indiana,
Heatwole of Minnesota, Lame of Iowa,
Littlefield of Maine, Lorimer Of Illinois,
Mccall Of Massachusetts,, H. G. Smith
of Michigan, Warner Of Illinois. IS s
The only Democrat voting for the
rule was Sibley of Pennsylvania.