The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-25
LITTLEFIELD SCORED.
DingIey's Successor Arraigned i'm the
House by MIR. Tawney.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-Throughout the
debate on the Porto Rico bill In the House
OF Representatives to-day there was an
undercurrent of speculation on the outcome
of the efforts TO bring about united action
on the part of the majority members of
the House. Frequent conferences were held
between representatives of the various ele-
ments, in the hope of bringing about a
common ground of understanding for con-
sheraton at the formal conference, to be
held at p. m. The debate brought out a
speech by Representative Tawney, of Min
nesota, scoring Mr.. Littlefleld, of Maine
for his speech of yesterday, and also two
speeches from the Republican side, by Mr..
Tonpkins. of New York. and Mr.. Powers.
OF Vermont, opposing the BILL Mr.. Thayer,
of Massachusetts,, closed the day with a
defense OF the anti-imperialists. The other
speakers were Mr.. Eddy, of Minnesota, for
the bill, and Messrs. Clayton, of Alabama,
and Broussard. of Louisiana, against it.
In beginning his speech Mr.. Tawney said:
II have been profoundly impressed with
the great Importance of the questions in
volved in this discussion. Until yesterday
these questions had been considered by
gentlemen on both sides of the House with
the utmost sincerity, with earnestness and
with that dignity becoming a question of
so great fmportantance. and with the dig
nifty Of the forum in which they are to be
tried. i regret that IL was left for the
gentleman from Maine to play in this great
debate the part of buffoon for the benefit
OF the Democratic party and for the amuse-
ment of the galleries. The Democratic ap-
plause with which that peculiar affectation
of voice was received on yesterday would
not have greeted speech made upon the
pending bill by that late peerless Amer
toE tax or11 n1r
lican predecessor OF the gentleman from
Maine. The hope of notoriety or the exist
-ence of legal technicalities would not have
induced that gentleman (Mr. Ding!ey) to
have left the ranks of the Republicans and
Joined the ranks of the Democrats simply
because his judgment did not coincide with
PIE Judgment of his associates on the ways
and means committee or upon the floor of
this house respecting party policy. Nor
could he have been induced to have exhibit
ed that want of decent courtesy toward the
members OF that committee or his col
leagues upon the floor of this house which
the gentleman CLittlefield) exhibited in the
course of his remarks.
What is the excuse which the gentleman
has for this unusual and, j may say, I'M
precedented course? What is his justifica-
ton? He tried to make this House believe
that IL Is because We are attempting to
impose tax upon the people of Porto
Rico and also because according to the pc
culiar logic of this backwoods lawyer, as
he calls himself. this bill is unconstitu-
tional. In the course of his remarks he
told this House that If this bill is enacted
into law the spruce lumbermen of Maine,
carrying their lumber to Porto Rico, would
be Obliged to pay a duty of so cents thou
sand on all rough lumber which they take
to that island. Who Is Ii that is COM
planning OF that tax of 90 cents per thou
sand? Not the people of Porto Rico, but
the lumber barons OF the State of Maine
That is the reason why the gentleman is
here saying that he cannot agree with his
party associates in imposing duty upon
American products going into Porto Rico.
when he knows that every dollar of that
duty is paid over to the people of that
island for their benefit.
And II the theory which he has always
advocated and which the Republicans have
always claimed TO be correct-if the theory
that the man who imports pays the duty
then all or this tax upon the products GO
Ing to Porto Rico from the United States
IS paid by the people of the United States.
1t Is not, therefore. the tax upon the peo-
pie Of Porto Rico that constitutes his real
objection, but because the fishermen of
of Maine want TO get their product into the
ports of Porto Rico for % per cent OF the
existing tariff goods when imported into
the United States from foreign countries"
Mr.. Thayer closed the days speeches
with an energetic protest against the at
perheads and traitors. 1--WE not
ashamed OF the company we keep" ex-
claimed Mr.. Thayer. I'm all matters per-
tanning TO the welfare of the country, the
prosperity of our people and the perpetual
ton of American institutions we prefer the
counsel and advice of Boutwell,, Hoar. Hale
and Fuller TO that of Hanna, Platt, Quay
and Beveridge."
AT o'clock the House adjourned till
Monday.