New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-20
GREAT DEBATE BEGINS.
PUERTO RTCAN TARIFF BILL
IN THE HOUSE.
ITS PASSAGE ADVOCATED BY MEssRS
PAYNE AND DALZELL AND OP-
POSED BY Mr.. RICHARDSON I

TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBLNE-l
Washington. Feb 19-The House II Reprs
sentatives to-day settled down 10 a long ans
exhaustive discussion OF the Puerto Rican Tar1f
biz. which involves some principles. the orae-
teal application OF which is new 20 the states
men Of to-day Such a discussion IS necessary
this time. For months past the country has
been agitated by novel problems OF government
and, unfortunately perhaps. the leaders Of the
negative party. who for many years have not
exhibited any talent for constructive legislation
have had the floor most Or the time. shriektns
demands for an immediate solution OF these
problems BY the majority IN Congress There
have been number OF academic speeches. some
OF which were good ones on the subject OF The
government OF the territory ceded by Spain. but
now for the first time in either branch. Congress
is brought face to face with a concrete proposi-
ton which must perforce be dealt with The
debate on which the House entered today. there
fore. is necessary and important. and it must
be profitable one.
The minds OF many Representatives on both
sides Of the Chamber are not yet made up, and
some Of them have been simply bewiIdered BY
the contradictory statements and erroneous as
sertiOns that have been poured into their ears
The sentimental aspects OF the Puerto Rican
problem have not been neglected by any means.
and some C0ngressmen have become so emo
tionaI and sympathetic in regard 20 IL that a
few cold hard plain facts will be a relief %
them and do much good The debate of>srs q
most attractive field. also. for statesmen who
are never so happy as when eIucidatiEg the
principles and meaning OF the Constitution ot
the United States
Three strong speeches were delivered to-day.
Chairman Payne, who opened the debate in favor
OF the bill. confined himself 10 the business side
Of the question and made a powerful argument
replete with information and bristIing with
facts. showing the necessity OF the provisions h9
advocated No man in the House is better
equipped than he TO perform such a task. apa
he did II without losing sight for moment iot
what may be called the humanitarian aspects ot
the subject Such an argument buttressed as
his was by facts and figures. was greatly needed
at the outset OF the discussion and il excited
the interest and commanded the close attention
Of the House throughout
Mr. Richardson. who opened the debate In be-
half OF the opposition. did IN a speech which
was received with many evidences OF approval
BY his party, but which was too scattering 70 be
very effective His appeals in behalf OF the Pu-
erJo Ricans were well received. FOR everybody
wants 10 have them generously dealt with but
he did not succeed in showing that the pending
measure would impose heavy unjust burderx
uron them.
Mr.. Richardson's argument in support OF ths
Democratic position in regard 10 the fr1nediaes
applicability OF the provisions OF the Constita.
tion was not a strong one, and IL was so COM
pletely demolished by Mr.. DalzeIl. Who fouOevsl
him, that II hardly constituted feature Of ths
days debate The PennsyIvanian's speech was
perhaps the most powerful and effective one Es
has ever delivered in the House and that Is
saying much He had made the most thorough
preparation, and his mastery OF the facts and
principles involved was so complete and his
handling OF them so sl1ilfuI. as 70 command
universal attention and elicit enthusiastic ap-
pause from his party associates
There are still symptoms OF Republican oppo-
sition 20 the pending bill. which may find ex-
preston in speeches by Mr.. Mccall. OF Massa-
chusetts: Nj LitrlefeId. OF Maine, and Mr..
Bromwell OF Ohio