The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-25
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.
Tawney of Minnesota Roundiy scores
LitfIeneId of Maine for His
Attitude on the Bill.


WASHINGTON, Feb. A-Throughout
the debate on the Puerto Rico bill in the
house OF representatives today there was
an undercurrent OF speculation on the
outcome of the efforts to bring about
united action on the part OF the majority
OF the house Frequent conferences were
held between representatives OF the vari-
Gus elements, in the hope OF bringing
about common ground Of understanding
for consideration at the formal confer
ence to be held at D. m.
The debate brought out a speech by
Representative Tawney, OF Minnesota.
scoring Iittleheld OF Maine for HIS speech
of yesterday and also two speeches from
the Republican side by Tompkins of New
York and Powers OF Vermont. opposed to
the bill Thaysr OF Massachusetts closed
the day with defense OF the anti-im-
periaiists.
The other speakers we're Eddy OF Min
nesota, for the bill. and Clayton OF Ala
bama and Broussard OF Louisiana,
against II.
Clayton Attacks the BiII.
Clayton was the FIRST speaker OF the
day presenting legal arguments against
the bill He maintained the United States
military forces held Puerto Rico at the
time OF the treaty and that the island
became as much n part OF the United
States as the territory OF Arizona.
Tawney Assafls LIttieneId.
Tawney, OF the ways and means COM
mittee, enivened the debate by severe
arraiznrnent OF LitteGeld for his speech
yesterday, attacking the biz and its pro-
motere.
II have been profoundly Impressed,
said Mr.. Tawney. with the great impor-
lance OF the questions involved In TINS
d,scuss,t ". Until yesterday these ques-
lions had been considered by gentlemen
on both sides OF the house with the ut
most sincerity, with earnestness ard with
that dignity becoming questions of so
great Importance and the dignity OF the
forum IN which the7 are to be tried |
regret that II was left for the gentleman
from Mninc to play in this great debate
the part OF buffoon for the beneft or the
Democratic party and for the amusement
OF the galleries.
Comparison with DinGIey.
1.-THE Democratic applause with which
that particular affectation OF voice was
received on yesterday would not have
greeted a speech made upon the pending
bill, by that late peerless American states
man and always loyal Republican pre-
decessor of the gentleman from Maine.
The hope OF notorety or the existence of
legal techricaIlties would not have In
duoed that gentleman tMr Dingley) to
have left the ranks OF the Republicans
and Joined the ranks OF the Democrats,
simply because his Judgment did not CO.
incide with The Judgment OF his associ-
ates upon tho ways and means commit
tee or upon the floor OF this house, re-
speeding party policy. Nor could he have
BEEN induced TO have exhibited that want
Of decent courtesy towards the members
OF that committee or his colleagues upon
the floor OF this house which the gentle
man u4ittlefeld) exhibited In the course
OF his remarks.
what Ii the excuse the gentleman has
for hts unusual and may say unprece-
dent. coursee What Is his justllcatlon7
rIo tried to make this house believe It "a
because we are attempting TO impose "a
tax upon the people of Puerto Rico, and
also because. according to the peculiar
logic OF this backwoods lawyer. ms he
claims himself this bin is uneonstitu-
tional.
Interest of Maine Lumber uarops
YIn the course OF HIS remarks he told
this house that II this bill Is enacted into
law. tho spruce lumber men Of Maine,
carrying their iumbe, to Puerto Rico.
would be obliged 60 pay n duty OF 80 cents
a thousand ON all tho rough lumber which
they take to that island. Who ia it that
IL complaining OF that tax OF ~ cents a
thousand7 Not the people Of Puerto Rico,
but the lumber harons OF the state of
Mains That IA the reason why the gem
tleman Is here saying he cannot agree
with hts party associates In imposing n
duty upon American products going into
Puerto Rico. when he knows that every
dollar OF that duty is paid over 10 the
people OF that island for their benefit
And n this theory which he has al
ways advocated and which the Republic
ans have always claimed to be correct. IL
the theory that the man who imports pays
the duty. then all Of this tax unon the
products going 20 Puerto Rico from the
United states IA paid by the people Of the
United states II r. not. therefore. the
tax upon the people of Puerto Rico that
constitutes hia real objection. but because
the fishermen of New England and the
spruce lumbermen OF Maine want 10 get
their products into the ports Of Puerto
Rico for 70 per cent of the existing tariff
ON goods when imported into the United
States from foreign countries"
Eddy supports the Bin.
Eddy said that all the dalorous prsdir.
tions made agains, the bill would seon hs
reiagatea 90 the Democratic chamber q,
horrors. for use at some future time
when great emergency aroso lie would
support the bill he said. believing Il 10
he the best measure attainabie 70 estsh.
lish sound fiscal system In Puerto Rire
for this district
Tompkias aeyolter
rompkina announced that ne was m, IN
accord with tho majority OF his ltspubi,-
can associates on this bin HE failed "a
see ia u. he said. that justice Ana fairness
watch characterized the policy % the Re.
publican party. lie believed. with hts
party, IN the doctrine % protection. hut
that party did not uphold a protection I'm.