The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-03-28
TALKED OF MANY THINGS.
Wide Scope of Debate
in Bouse.
Mr.. Sulzer Asks for Sympathy for the
Beers.
Lentz Denounces War
in Philippines.
His Speech Declared Disgrace to
Congress.

Washington, March 27.-Thsrs was some
lively debates In toe House today during
the confederation OF the army appropria-
tion bill. Littis OF 10 was pertinent to
the msasuie IL csversd . wide range Of
topics Ports Rioan tariff, the Boer war
and the Philippines. The charge that the
Porto Rioan tariff blu was the result Of Q
deal for raising q Republican campaign
fund, was again referred to today by MIR.
Pierce Of Tennessee, but Mr.. Hull de-
oiarod that the anonymous author Of the
charge would never dare to avow himself
and be branded as falsifsr.
Mr. Sulser OF New York, made an ap-
peal for the extension Of official sympathy
to the Beers In their struggle for indie
pendenoe and MIR. Lsntz Of Ohio delivered
a soathing denunciation Of militarism
and the war In the Philippines. His at
tack aroused the resentment and indig-
nation Of Mr.. Marsh of Iliinois. who in
bitter excoriation Of the Ohio mem Der,
declared that the iatter's speech was
disgrace to the American Congress. He
declared that he was not responsible for
Whhs 40 ANU oosA0 bOeh va 1uu Oh bh6
floor Of the House. His heated language
did not draw q rejoinder from Mr.. Lsnta.
The House, without preliminary bust
ness, resumed consideration of the army
appropriation bill. Mr.. THibert of South
Carolina, complained Of the vast extraya-
gance involved in the bill and replied to
some of the criticisms passed upon him
for his courss In regard to the private
pension legislation. Mr.. Pierce Of Ten
nessee, who started up something Of Q
hornets nest last Saturday by bringing
to the attention Of the HOUSE an intsr-
view In o local paper with an alleged
Republican representative charging that
the Puerto hioan tariff was the result
Of q bargain for campaign funds, read
that newspapers affirmation yesterday
or the accuracy Of the interview. He
also read Senator HAnna's dsnunciatiopIof
the story that thssPorto Rioan tariff bill
was framed for the purpose of raising q
Republican campaign fund and ohal.
iengsd an investigation of the charges.
MP. Steele, Republican Of Indiana,
replisd to MIR. Pierce, and there was a
sharp exchange.
Mr.. Steele said be would not believe
the anonymous Republican Congressman
who IL alleged to have told this story
en- oath.
MIR. Pierce said he did believe any man
employed on the newspaper would de-
rberatediy miirspresent the facts.
Mr.. Stells wanted to know how the
Porto Rioan tariff bill could be used to
raise q campaign fund.
Mr.. Pierce replied that he could not
give the exact steps. but that vast sums
had been rssied by the Republican party
in 1895 from various quarters could not
be denied. The contributors In one In
stance had even logged the memory of
the secretary Of the treasury and he had
not dared to resent the insult. lDemo-
cratic appiause.D
MIR. Hepburn, Republican of Iowa, said
that II an investigation were ordered, In
ell probability when the editor of the
paper was asked to furnish the name of
the Republican credited with the state
ment. he would refuse to give 1t. II he
did, Mr.. Hepburn asked Mr.. Pierce II he
and his colleagues would be willing to
punish him for refusing.
81 will GROSS hat bridge when come
60 it," replied MIR. Pierce amid Repub-
loan jsers "But." he replied, 81 believe
the paper told the truth"
Mr.. Williams OF Mississippi, discussing
Porto Rico tariff questions, challenged
the other side to name a single reason
for imposing a tariff on the products OF
the island that existed now which did
not exist when the President said 1t was
our 'plain duty" and "manifest Jus
tioe' to give free trade to the island.
mar. Steele Of Indiana accepting the
challenge. said 1t had been ascsrtained
that the British consul, Finley, ct San
Juan, who was exceedingly anxious for
free trade, was enc of the largest sugar
producers on the island. His interest
had been purely selfish.
Mr.. Williams ridioulsd the explanation
| as absurd.
Mr.. Hu II, in charge Of the bill, revert.
ed to the charges raised by Mr.. Pierce
earlier IN tns day. As a member OF the
| Republican campaigA committee, he said
he was interested In the allegasions. De
said that no man worthy of belief would
make such charges and withhold hii
name from the public. He did not be.
iieve the man would ever dare to avon
him ssIf, and be branded asa falsifisr.
de also expressed his doubt as to tine
propriety of newspapers printing suct
Anonymous statements. He called atten
tIon to the character OF some OF the lilera,
! ture atill being circulated In the Philip
pines, This literature described alleged
| public meetings held In different partl