The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-21
Opposition to the Rorto Rican
Bill SCareS THIN.
ITS FATE SEEMS IN DOUBT
FIFTEEN REPUBLICANS MAY
VOTE AGAINST 1T.
MAJORITY OVER THE OPPOSITION "a
Swanson and NewIands Speak Against the
Measure and Hopkins F r It, the Speak
ers Oeyoting Themselves 10 the
Constitutional Questions
Constitutional Questions

ers Deyo,ing Themselves to the
Constitutional Questions
Washington, Feb 2O.--Again today
there were but three speeches in the
House upon the Porto Rican Tariff Bill.
Five hours were consumed in their de-
livery. Mr.. Hopkins Qlls.) spoke in sup
port of the bill and Mr.. Newlands,
New and Mr.. Swanson (Va.) in oppo-
sition to it. The speakers devoted
themselves almost exclusively to the
constitutional question involved and
We're listened to with attention. The
Republican leaders are becom ng nervous
over the fate Of the bill. They have
only a majority Of IA over the opposi-
ton which is solidly opposed to the
measure. Eight votes from the Repub-
lican side would therefore defeat it and
there are from l. to 10 Republican votes
in doubt
A movement for Republicans caucus
is being agitated and although no call
had been issued up 10 the time OF ad
journment tonight the general under
tomorrow night. The Republicans re-
ported to he opposed to the bill are
Messrs. Mccall (Mass); Littlefield
(Maine); Powers (Nt.l; Tompkins. (N.
W: Bromwell Ohio; Lor mer 0lls9;
Heatwole Mimi; Tongue (Ore); Loud
Cali. and Jones and Cushman (Wash.),
I'd Csrllmpacker (Ind.)
At the opening Mr.. Hepburn, Gowa)
attempted 10 secure an agreement TO
take up the Nicdraguan Canal Bill and
aTked unanimous consent that IL be
taken up two weeks from today and
later pressed for it week hence. Mr..
Richardson, CTenr0. the Democratic
leader. had no objection, but Mr.. Can
non Qllsl chairman OF the House Ap-
preparation Committee. dissented
OPPOSED BY NEWLANDS.
The House then went into committee
of the whole and Mr.. NewlaDds (Nev.),
a member Of the Ways and Means Com
nlittec took the floor.
1T was evident Mr.. Newlands said,
that so far as Porto Rico WAS con-
cerned, whatever present objections
there might be upon the part
of the dominant party to es-
tablishing freedom of trade be-
tween the island and the Union, such
trade would not long be deferred, as
apart from the Importance of the con-
stitutional questions raised by a dis
eliminating tariff, which doubtless would
he only temporary. it was ev dent that
both of the political parties Of the coun-
try were now on substantial agreement
that Porto Rico should become a part
of the Union"
Mr.. Newlands said. however, that the
Republicans were losing sight of the
possibility that the unrest and dissatis-
faction created by inequality of laws
might make our problem of government
i'll Porto Rico much more difficult than
it now seemed. Whether these islands
were to be regarded as dependencies or
territories, freedom Of trade, freedom of
migration and equality of right and
burden must be established. for other
wise each community Disseminated
against would regard itself as the vic
TIM of prejudice or self-intercst.
The dominant party was dcsirous of
preventing freedom of migration and
free trade between this country and the
Philippine Islands. This was the senti-
hut one way TO accomplish this under
the Constitution, and that was to de-
clare that they did not belong to the
United States. and that the sovereignty
of the United States would be exercised
in these islands only for their pacifica-
ton and the establishment of a stable
government and the final establishment
of Independent self government in the
islands. Everything pointed to this as
the correct course. Our duty was to i'm
mediately incorporate Porto Rico into
the United States as a territory with all
its rights and privileges under the Con-
stitution and laws of this country
Equality of right and equality of burden
would render them satisfied with our
scheme of government and contented
with a condi ition Of tutel2ge which would
ultimately lead to representation in the
Federal Union"
SUPPORTED BY HOPKINS.
Mr.. Hopkins 0lls) another member Of
the Ways and Means Committee, then
spoke in support Of the bill. The issue
presented in the measure, he said. was
whether Porto Rico and the Philippines
under the treaty of peace with Spain
became integral parts Of the United
States or whether they can be treated
as territory and separate and distinct
customs and internal revenue laws inn
POSED there from what are levied, COLI
le' ted. ard paid in the United States.
Il believe the Constitution of the
United States is broad enough and elas-
tic enough to enable US to control the