The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-04-25
PORTO RICO BILL PASSED.
The House Accepted Senate Amend
ments by Vote Of ISL to l53'
THE MEASURE WAS NOT AMENDED

Zine Republicans Voted With tho Demo.
Gratis Against Concurrence-One Demo
crat Voted "Aye"-The Bill Was Taken
to President Mckinley For His sigma
ture Which Makes 1t Law.
WASHINGTON, D. C. (SpeciaD. In the
presence OF an unusually large audience,
and by majority Of in vote OF 314,
:here being 1926 members present, the House
concurred In the amendments to the Porto
Rico Tariff and Government bill as 1t came
from the Senate. The bill was taken to
President Mckinley for him to affix his sig
nature to 1t, which action makes 1t part
OF the law OF the land.
Upon the final vote nine Republicans
voted against the bill-Messrs. Heatwols
(Minn.), Crumpacker Qnd.) }, Lane Iowal,
Llttleaeld Me.), Mccall (Msss. }. q. 9.
Smith (AIlch.), Warner Gll), FLETCHER
(Me.), and Lorimer Qll) Two Democrats,
Messrs. Davey and Meyer, OF Louisiana.
the bill, and one Democrat, Mr.. Sibley
Penn voted for it outright. Mr.. Devries,
the other Democrat who voted Tor the
original bill, voted against concurrence.
Mr.. Stalllngs (Dem., Ala.), was the only
member on either side absent ana un-
paired.
The Rules Committee agreed that vote
should be taken at p. m, and that 1t
would not be In order to offer amend
ments to the bill.
To get a test vote a roll coil was ordered
in the House on the adoption OF this rule.
It resulted In 1853 yeas to 142 nays. Debate
was thus limited to one hour and tofty.
seven minutes side.
One Of the features Of the debate was th3
reading by the minority leader OF extracts
from the original opinion OF Charles Z.
Magoon, legal adviser otthe 1nsular Bureau
|. OF the War Department; In which he ar
gued that, the constitution was extended to
Porto Rico. Afterward Mr.. Magoon gave
out another opinion In which heatook an
opposite view. ~
Mr.. Richardson said he had no words OF
criticism for Mr.. Magoon for changing his
mind, but what would the country think.
he asked, OF the Secretary OF War who had
demanded thai he reverse his opintonp
MIR. Dolliver asked Mr.. Richardson tf he
would accept the opinion OF General Davis,
Governor Of Porto Rico.
(which opiniona" asked Mr.. Rtehardson;
"Give US both and will take my choice.1
"This Is his official report" said Mr.,
Dolliver, and he proceeded to read 1t. 'S'
"Did not he In his sworn testimony be-.
fore the Insular Committee recommend free
trader" asked Mr.. Richardson. a..
Mr.. Dolllver read General Davts's opinion
and alsoEthe opinion Of DR.. Carroll. tho
Presidents confidential agent -
"Did not DR.. Carroll recommend .tree
trader" asked Mr.. Richardson. IL
ultimate free trade" respoD ded' DIR.
DolliGsr, sgust as this bill does.n
In conclusion he dismissed as bensath
contempt the charge Of bribery as q mo-
tive for this bill. He had as we'll accuse
Mr.. Richardson of corruption for introduc-
ing q resolution to place raw sugar on the
free list. This was Republican measure,
he said, indorsed by the Republican
President and the Republican leaders.
Mr.. Payne, the floor leader OF the ma.
jorlty, closed the debate with q vigorous
speech, In which he said he was ready to
submit the issue involved In the pending
bill to the common people. Of the cou ntry.
At s O'Clock the House, under the terms
OF the special order, proceeded to vote.
The roll call was followed yith intense in-
terest. The only demonstration occurred
when Mr.. Henry @. Smith, OF Michigan,
voted "No," and when the Speaker d.
rected the clerk to call his name he an;
swered "Aye." When the Speaker nn-
nounced the passage OF the billAyeas. 161;
nays, 153; present and not voting, 1.-THE
Republicans ohesred for several minutes.