The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-27
THEY WASTE MUCH
WIND IN CAUCUS
The Harmony Committee on
Porto Rican Bill.
OMMITTEE DISCHARGED
Foraker is Instructed to Press the Bill
as 1t Stands.
COM MITTEE DISCHARGED
HE WILL FIRST OFFER AN AMENDMENT 7
This Will Admit Some Goods Into Porto Rico
Duty Free, But Even With ThisSix Re-
publcans Will Voc Against
The Bill. r
(By the Associated Press

(By the Associated Prcss)
Washington, March 26-The Republican
members of the Senate spent two and
half hours in caucus today in an effort to
reach an agreement upon the Porto Rico
legislation now pending in the Senate.
Apparently however, all that was accom-
plished was decision to proceed with the
general bill as it now stands, without
separating the tariff feature, and to
discharge the harmony committee from
further efforts.
About twenty speeches were made.
While all Senators expressed desire
TO reach an amicable understanding, there
was but little or no disposition mani
tested to yield point which would pro-
duce that result.
Senator Allison, as Chairman of the
Caucus, declared at the close of the
meeting that there was no necessity for
putting n motion to continue on past lines
as it was very evident that no other
course was practical.
Senator Foraker was instructed to press
the Porto Rican Bill as it now stood, the
governmental bill incorporated with the
tariff measure. to as speedy vote as
possible The understanding at the time
this instruction was given was that Sen
ator Foraker would offer an amendment
to the tariff feature of the bill adding the
free list named by the President in an
executive order to the exports going from
the United States to Porto Rico duty
free but that the fifteen per cent of the
Dingley law carried in the House Bill
upon goods coming from Porto Rico to
the United States would be retained.
Through viva voce vote it was evil
dent that a substantial majority approved
the proposition.
number of Senators will oppose the
bill even with the amendment recon-
mended. They are, 1T is stated, Sena-N
tors Davis, Beveridge, Hoar, Wellington,
Simon, Mason Proctor and Wilson. 1t is
also said that Senators Kyle, who here
tofore has acted with the Republicans,
and McCumber, Of North Dakota, will
not vote for the House Bill unamended
but it is believed they will vote for the
amended proposition. Two Senators named
in the list of eight first given are claimed
by the friends Of the tariff measure
almost sure to vote for the amended bill,
leaving six Republicans who will vote
finally against the measure 1t is claimed
that two or three votes will be secured
for the tariff measure from the ranks OF
the opposition parties in the Senate and
that in this way a majority will be Sc
cured. Senators have decided that the
Senate must act as seems best under the
circumstances and the bill if it passes
must take it's chances in the House.
Some members of the Ways and Means
Committee advised this course today at
the same time urging speedy action and
this view found expression in the caucus,
the statement being made that delay was
more dangerous than anything else and
that the country and Porto Rico ought to
know soon what to expect Apparently
there was no disposition among the free
trade Senators present at the caucus to
delay vote upon bill though no agree
ment was reached for an. immediate vote.
Among the Senators who addressed the
| caucus were Messrs. Foraker, Allison,
Cullom Chandler, Gallnger, Quarles.
| Davis, Wellington and Lodge.
Senator Foraker reviewed the efforts
of the harmony committee
After pointing out how irreconcilable
| were the several elements in both Houses
| Mr.. Foraker urged the passage of the
| House Bill without modification and ne
| appealed eloquently to all elements to
| unite to pass the civil government bill as
| separate measure, and with such
amendments as would concede much that
| the free traders sought to secure, men
| tioning among amendments possible of
| enactment one for the continuation OF
| the Presidents free list, which would
practically secure the admissions of all
| necessaries such as breadstuffs and cloth
| ing into Porto Rico free of duty.
| Mr.. Foraker also suggested the possi-
bility of an amendment leaving the Porto
| Rican authorities to be constituted by
the Civil Government Bill, to say when
any duty that might be imposed should be
removed.
Senator Gallinger offered resolution
directing the separation of the House
Tariff Bill from the Senate Governmental
| Bill, and supported the resolution with a
speech. This move was met by counter
| resolution offered by Senator Wellington
providing for the passage of the Civil
! Government Bill with free trade pro-
| vision instead of the tariff provision of
the House.
J The discussion proceeded on the basis
of these two motions.
! Senator Davis read and explained at
! length the amendment he introduced in
the Senate today. He said there was a
feeling throughout the country for free
trade with Porto Rico which was not a