Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1900-03-16
HOLD J. .lI!',,',;Y VIEWS
Ferubllcans Again Caucus on
the Porto ,sican ELL but
~ ithout Result.
Opposition Must Be FIacated
or Passage of the M aasure
Is Endangered.
MUCH FEELING DISPLAYED
Western Senators Assert Adop-
ton Of: the Bill Win In
jure the Party.
Proposal to Admit Free Goods
Going to Porto Rico May
Be Accepted.
MUCH FEELING DISPLAYED

WASHINGTON, March 14.-The Re-
publican senators were in caucus for
two and one-half hours on the Purto
Rican billand at O'Clock, adjourned
without reaching All agreement. No
vote was taken on any OF the various
propositions laid before TIL, caucus, hut
as result Of the caucus talk the inn
preston prevailed that there was q
great deal Of opposition to the BILL
which opposition, if it wns not plocated,
might endauger its psss<.:>c. Il was
also apparent that nrr,',,'r Of & her
senators thought r." le;;r': .,ion WAS IL
advised, but, while opposed to the bill,
nevertheless would vote for it as party
measure. Deep feeling was displayed
over the question by number of sena-
tors, and especially by those of the Mid
die West, some of whom did not hest
tate to affirm that any effort to place a
tariff upon the exchange of business be-
tween the United States and Porto Rico
probably would have an injurious effect
upon the Republican party in these
states.
There were some sharp passages at
arms. 1t was generally agreed, how
ever, that from party standpoint
almost
Any Rin Was Better Than None
and this feeling gave the friends of the
measure hope despite tho apparently un-
yielding attitude Of the opposing fac
tons. They are still holding to the bill
rs originally introduced and express the
belief that it will form the basis of
whatever settlement is agreed upon.
This opinion is based upon what was
said in general way and not upon any
poll Of the caucus, for there was moth
ing approaching q vote during tho
meeting.
Those senator's who favored the prop
osition Of . tariff on Porto Rican goods
coming into this country and free trade
for goods going to Porto Rico said that
this course will be humane in principle
since it would afford free entry Of food
and supplies needed by the Porto Ri
cans, while the tariff on goods coming
into this country would supply revenue
for the island and also retain the princi-
pie Of protection.
Several times during the debate the
course of the administration was men,
toned and the statement was made
that the country was aroused because it
had seemed that congress was acting
contrary to the wishes Of the president.
Several senators asserted that the presi-
dent was now
Anxious for tho Proposed Tariff
of Is per cent. Senator Foraker talked
at considerable length and vigorously
supported the bill and was expressly de-
termined that the governmental fea-
lures should not be abandoned. He de-
Tended the tariff provisions as being of
advantage instead of hardship upon
the people of Porto Rico. He declared
that the bill as amended by the commit
tee, levying q Is per cent duty on prod
ucts both ways, was the best measure
that could be passed, but said he was
willing to accept the compromise levy
ing duty only on Porto Rican prod
ucts coming to this country.
Senator Hanna made a speech that
was listened to with great interest. He
favored the house bill and especially tho
tariff provisions and urged the Repub-
icans to stand firmly together for tho
bill.
Senator Davis. who recently. intro
duced an amendment extending that
portion of the constitution relative to
taxation over the island, made quite an
extended speech, taking strong grounds
in favor Of free trade with Porto Rico.
He said that 1t Wa not because the tar.
if would keep out or let in certain prod.
uots that congress should act, but be.
cause the almost universal sentiment of
tho people should be needed.