Evening star., 1900-03-22
PORTO RICAN RELIEF
Opposition in the Senate to the Con-
ference Report.
Mr.. BACON SPEAKS At LENGTH
Mr.. CochelI Also States His
Objections.
DEBATE ON THE LOUD BILL

DEBATE ON THE LOUD BILL
At the opening of today's session of the
Senate several bills and resolutions were
passed as follows:
Providing for light and fog signals for
the new breakwater at Buffalo
\ resolution presented by Mr. Allen re-
questing information as to the tariff rates
in force in the Philippines. Guam, Porto
Rico and Cuba. and the amount collected
in each instance since the American oc-
oupation.
resolution by Mr.. Butler asking the
Secretary of the Treasury for information
as to the bank charters granted since the
passage of the currency bin and for other
Information concerning the operations OF
The bill.
\ bill authorizing the amship Paris to
change its name.
- Mr.. Pettigrew introduced a resolution
calling upon the President for an itemized
statement Of the expenses of the Philippine
commission and each of Its members. but
Mr.. Davis objected to present consideration
and IL went over.
Porto Rican Relief Bill.
The Senate then took up the conference
report on the Porto Rican appropriation
hill.
Mr.. Bacon (Ga) objected to the changes
made in conference. The report would he
said. indicate that mutual concessions had
been made on behalf of both the Senate and
the House, but he held that an analysis
would show that the Senate had yielded
practically everything and the House moth
ing.
Mr. Bacon objected especially to the con-
cessiOn on the part of the Senate to the
House contention that the appropriation
should cover future collections vel as
those accruing up to January 1. Beneath
what appears a very harmless change he
found very radical action. The objection
was based not only upon the contention
that the appropriation bill should be def
mite in terms, but especially upon the belief
on Mr.. Bacons part that it was the purpose
OF the bill to provide for the contingency
that the tariff bill now pending may fail.
In that event the revenue arrangement
would continue. That. he thought, was a
legitimate conclusion
Republican Policy Attacked.
Mr.. Bacon then launched upon general
argument against the republican policy
with reference to trade between the United
States and the islands acquired in the war
with Spain. No such outcry had recently
been witnessed as that which had gone up
from all over the country after the pass
age Of the House bill, which was intended
10 oppress an unprotected people. Natural
" the republican leaders had sought to find
a protecting shelter from this storm, and
this bill was intended as a peace Offering
tV appeaSe the Indignation of the people.
Not only had there been trouble in the
country at large, but in the Senate as well.
and as consequence the Senate for the
first time IN its history had a peace COM
mittee-a committee appointed by the re-
publican caucus of the Senate to preserve
peace among its members.
Mr. Bacon also dwelt upon the insistence
OF the House upon the language continuing
me collection and return OF the revenue
under existing law
Tariff Wall Left Standing.
Thus. instead of having free trade with
Porto Rieo or q reduction 10 10 per cent. as
promised. We are, he asserted, TO continue
the present relation. enforcing the full rate
Of the Dingiey law. To adopt this confer
suce report meant the leaving Of the tariff
wall standing, and senators who professed
to he favorable to free trade could not af-
ford TO shut their eyes to this fact. If,
then. Congress should adjourn without pass
ing another law those VINO should vote for
the conference report would be responsible
for leaving this great burden upon people
for whom there was SO much expressed
commiseration- The House could have ac-
Cepted the Senate amendments, and he in
sisted that there could have been no such
failure but for the intelligent direction Of
the bill by the interests which We're advo-
eating a tariff on the exchange of our
commerce with Porto Rico.
Freed From Restraint.
Not only did Mr.. Bacon want free trade
with Porto Rico. but he wanted it quickly.
The great need of the Porto Ricans was to
hav@ such legislation as would put them IN
a position to help themselves, and this
could rot he done by the course at present
IT.
tarianism was derided by him as mere pre-
tense He also coutended that the money
to be returned would not go TO the people
from whom it had been collected.
What the people Of the island wanted was
free intercourse with the people of this
country. and not misdirected charity.
Mr. Bacon said the. proV;.siOn of A govern
difficult. They were in the main an intelli-
gent people and could be assinniIated with
out difficulty.
Porto Rico was entitled 10 a free terri
torial government and its people should be
given all the privileges of the people of
oklahoma. New Mexico or any other ter
ritcry, and whenever the republicans were
ready to give Porto Rico that kind of a gov
ernment the democrats would vote for such
a bill without delay.
Mr.. Foraker-"Will you agree to fix a
time for vote upon the governmental bill
now peuding2"
Mr.. Bacon-'Yes. 90 far as l am con-
cerne1."
Mr.. Cockrell-'-We will wait until We get
through with the appropriation bill before
fixing a time for a vote on another meas
uTr.
Mr.. Fcraker-"Of course if there is objec-
i.uH We cannot insist at this time
Mr. E1cou-'Hou Will not find any obiec-
tiru ~ naming time for a vote when you
complete your bill, and we will agree TO a
GIte early as IS consistent with the
necessity OF proper examination OF
amendments. W. are disturbed by whis-
prriHgS that il i not the intention of the
party iu power 10 settle the tariff question
and do not want To leave the matter
there
Elr. F"raker-''We have heard nothing Of
thdt kind over here. and again assure YOU
.! our intention to ask for an early vote"
Mr. BacOn-'And | assure YOU Of prompt
and cordial cooperation
Mr. C"ckreii Opposes the Report
Mr.. Cockrell MOI also opposed the con.
ference report. For the first time in the