The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-22
PORTO RICAN BILL.
Bromwell, Republican of Ohio, Speaks
Against 1t.

time in the debate upon the Porto Rican |
tariff bill, the voice of a Republican
was today raised against the measure. !
Mr. Bromwel fOhiol. spoke against the !
bill but he opposed il on the ground Of
policy and not of constitutionality. His
hostility, however. was not sOsabsolute
but that he announced his intention of
voting for it if the substitute failed.
The other speakers today We're Mr..
Ray n. ", and Mr.. Long, (Kansas),
for the bill and Mr.. Henry Crexas).
against it, The Republicans have decid-
cd TO hold a caucus or conference on the
bill Saturday night.
Although there are said to be between
twenty and thirty Republicans hostile
to the measure. the Republican leaders
who are canvassing the situation say
that not more than four or five will cast
their votes against it. They also say
several Democrats will support it. The
only Democrat who is Outspoken in his
advocacy of the bill is Mr.. Davey Q4a).
Messrs. Meyer and Broussard U4a):
Mr. Devries tCal): Mr.. Davis and Mr..
Sparlman tFla.), are said TO be III the
doubtful column but the Democratic
whip say that only Mr.. Davey and Mr..
Sibley raD. will vote fot ii, Mr..
Wilson Udaho) Il Silver Republican, Is
also said to be inclined to vote for the
bill Some of the Republican opponents
Of the bill favor voting TO recommlt
the measure. Hereafter the debate will
begin at II o'clock and there will be
night sessions Friday and Saturday
Mr.. Ray. Chairman Of the Judiciary
committee of the House, devoted him
self closely today to the legal and con-
stitutional phases of the controversy over
the board question as TO whether new
territory Was Il part Of the United States
in a political sense. He denied that any
act of the President or Congress could
extend the constitution as constitution
over territory while it remained terri
tcrity. The immunities Of the constitu-
ton could he SO extended but not the
constitution itself. The constitution only
covered the States of the Union. Porto
Rico and the Philippines were the prop
erty of the United States to be legislated
for as Congress chose.
Mr.. Bromwell tOhio). was the first
Republican to oppose the bill upon the
floor He said he did not doubt the
power Of Congress to enact this legisla-
ton. but he did not agree with its justice
or equity He strongly advocated the
original bill. Mr.. Bromwell asserted the
President had told a representative OF Il
great Republican newspaper organ with
in several days past practically that he
still favored tll- oricinal bill ard Mr..
Cromwell insisted that if he has OH
tanned additional information justifying
a change of views he should communi-
cate it to Congress- He would, howevc';
if necessary, accept half q loaf in this
legislation. Concluding he said that
the only conclusion he could reach is
that the opposition which has been made
by certain interests in the country has
been powerful enough for the Ways
and Means committee TO change their
minds.
IF merely purroscd TO proclaim your
right to legiSlate aS you choose. he
said. you deem it necessary to make
any distinction in the tariff laws of
the two countries let it lie shown by
a modification Of the internal revenue
laws which shall relieve. rather than
increase the burdens Of the islands. This
means much for the Porto Ricans If
treated unfairly if they look with sus-
picion upon our professions of friendship
they viii be ready to cast off their ale
glance and join our foes whenever oppor-
1UMty OferS.
Mr. Henry CTcXas) followed in oprosi-
ton to the bill, which he said was more
damnable than the laws enacted by the
British Parliament against the people
who inhabited the thirteen colonies prior
10 1T16. He charged that the change
of base had occurred to appeaSe the
sugar and tobacco interests Of this coun-
try which feared the effect of free inn
ports from Porto Rico
Mr.. Long l<ansaSl. member Of the
Ways and Means committee. closed the
debate for the day with speech n
favor of the bill. 1t was political
question and must be met now
Porto Rico was PROSTATE. Relief could
come only by the authorization Of loan,
a direct appropriation out of the United
States Treasury or the enactment Of
law TO raise revenue The committee
considered that the last method was
preferable.
At o'clock the House adjourned.
COTTON EXCHANGE PROTESTS.
New York. Feb 21-Many members
of the Cotton Exchange have signed a
pelition to he submitted 10 the United
States Senate. asking Tia i no customs
tariffs he established between this coun-
try and Porto Rico.