The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-14
ATTACK ON THEIR LIBERTIES.
The Bill For Porto Rico's People Thus
Described.
(By The Associated Press.

Washington, March l3.-Per.;o al e%-
plantations were made today in the Senate
by Mr.. Allen (Neb.), and Mr.. Butler IN.
CD of their positions on the financial
question. Both announced their belief
in the free and unlimited coinage or Sill
yer at the ratio of Is to l. The state
ments were called out by reports to the
contrary which had gained some circu-
lation. Mr.. Turner (Washn.), began an
extended speech on the Porto Rican Bill
but did not conclude his remarks. He
maintained that the pending measure
clearly was unconstitutional and express
ed his belief that it would be SO held if it
were passed upon by the Supreme court.
Mr.. Allen rose to a question of privilege
to deny a published report that he had
abandoned his free silver coinage belief
Nothing that / ever said" he said,
could by any kind of torture be con-
strued as a lack of faith in my party plat
form which declares for the free and UNI
limited coinage of both gold and silver
at ratio of 16 to 1.
Mr.. Butler said that the report of the
colloquy between himself and Mr.. Aldrich
had not correctly represented him. This
report stated that Mr.. Butler evaded a
direct answer to Mr.. Aldrich's question as
to whether or not he (Butler) was in ia
vor of the free and unlimited coinage OF
silver at the ratio of 16 to /. Mr.. Butler
restated his position, given during the
colloquy, but did not point out wherein
he had been misrepresented.
In closing he said he wanted to make
the statement that he was in favor of
free coinage of gold and silver at a
ratio of IS to l by the United States in
dependent of any other nation.
Mr. Aldrich replied briefly saying that
the Associated Press account of the colo
guy was a fair and accurate statement of
what occurred. He had asked the North
Carolina Senator six or eight times if
he was in favor of the free and unlimited
coinage of silver at a ratio of 16 to l
by the United States alone and had not
received a direct answer Mr.. Aldrich
said he was glad to get today's statement
from Mr.. Butler that he was now in ia
vor of such free coinage.
AT the request of Mr.. Turner the Porto
Rcan Tariff and Government Bill was
laid before the Senate. His speech was
general attack upon the policy and pro-
visions of the measure. He declared that
it's enactment would result in the de-
bauchery of our citizenship or of our
Constitution. He pointed out that the
minority in Congress had consistently OPP
posed island acquisition and even now he
believed the United States ought to let
the Flipinos go in peace. He deprecated
the proposed Porto Rican tariff as
poor return for the ready acceptance of
our institutions by the Porto Ricans. 1t
was, to his mind, a desperate assault
upon the liberties of the people, and no
more preposterous measure looking to the
grant of power to Congress had ever been
presented.n either house.
The Constitution, he said, must apply
equally to all persons of the territory of
the United States and there could prop
erly be no discrimination in favor of one
section in the matter of taxation or
otherwise in the interest of another sec
ton.
At 3:20 D. M the Senate adjourned.