New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-08
TO VOTE ON WEDNESDAY.
PREPARING FOR THE FINAL STRUGGLE
ON THE PUERTO RICAN BILL.
OPPOSITION RESoRTING TO UNPRECE-
DENIED TACTICS-EVERY REPUB-
LICAN VOTE NEEDED.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

LICAN VOTE NEEDED.
Try TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE.
Washington April 7-Unless the unforeseen
and unexpected happens the House of Repre-
sentatives will vote on the Senate amendments
TO the Puerto Rican bill next Wednesday. ana
beth sides are making careful preparations for
the event. Chairman Payne to-day took the
first step by introducing a resolution to lay the
foundation for a special order to govern the
procedure on The amendments, which was re-
ferrred to the Committee on Rules The special
order which is to be framed and reported by
that committee will probably provide that the
Ways and Means Committee be discharged from
further consideration of the bill and amend
ments. and that a vote on motion to concur IN
the amendments in gross be taken at an hour
fixed by the order. The indications now are that
the amendments will he open for debate one full
day and the vote then be taken.
The votes OF a majority will be required for
the adoption of the special order as well as to
carry the motion to concur and the attention
of all Republican members now absent from
Washington is invited to that fact There are
still nearly twenty Republican absentees. some
of whom however have advised Mr.. Long, of
Kansas. the Republican whip, that they will be
on hand Wednesday when the motion to adopt
the special order is to be made after the
ceived are satisfactory far as they go, but
every Republican who is or proposes to be alb
sent on that day ought TO reflect and realize, IN
view of what is taking place here now on the
Democratic side, that his duty imperatively de-
mands his presence.
OPPOSITION BECOMING DESPERATE.
The opponents of the Puerto Rican bill are
Incoming desperate and absent Republicans
who are under the impression that their votes
will be protected by pairs made with Demo-
Gratis who are here will probably find when 1t
is too late, that the impression was erroneous
They will certainly find If the Democratic
leaders succeed in their purpose, backed by
Democratic caucus of breaking all such pairs
This is the first time in the history OF Con-
gress-at least the first time within the memory
OF its older members-that the authority of
party caucus has been invoked TO carry OUT
such purpose
The caucus, which met at o'clock with a
fair attendance formally resolved, among otheT
things request the immediate return OF all
absent members; that hereafter no general or
permanent pairs shall be made by Democrats;
that no pair shall be hereafter recognized unless
the Democrat making ii shall have signed IL IN
writing and given il to one of the members
designated TO receive and keep record of the
pairs, and that Democratic members hereafter
remain in Washington if they can ''rea son1bly
do until the expiration of the session. An
other resolution declared the unalterabe opposi-
ton of the caucus to the pending Puerto Rlcan
bill
The resolutions relating to pairs clearly evince
a determination to have the vote OF every Demo-
cratic member present Wednesday, whether
paired or not against the special order and
against the motion concur in the Senate
amendments to the Puerto Rican bill
PUERTO RICAN BILL misunderstood.
SECRETARY LONG EXPLAINS HOW 1T WILL BEN
EFT THE PEOPLE OF THE ISLAND
Colorado Springs, COL April (speciaD-Secre-
tary Long who is here visit his daughter Helen.
said to-day:
The Puerto Rican Tariff bill is misunderstood.
ship upon Puerto Rico is not true; Full knowlenGe
gal,ens p be Island from ali direct taxes and ali in
ternal revenue taxes 1t reduces the customs tarifi
PSepo Rico Go s some @ the
ton. instead Of landing II IN the United states
nation against the United States and in favor Of
Puerto Rico Thus the island fares better than ever
did any OF Territories. all of which had to pay
OF which went into Uncle Sans Treasury.
Add TO this that we haye given Puerto Rico
to be operative only until Puerto Rcans estab-
lish their government, when they can reguiat e
It. The substitute bill proposed by the Democrats
and voted for In the House of Representatives i'm
and internal revenue without returning the money
TO Puerto Rico, thus impoverishing the island and
is understood 1 believe il VIII be acceptable to
Puerto Ricans well as TO our people.
Secretary Long expressed his surprise at the
candidacy OF Dewey. Miss Longs health has been
somewhat improved by winter spent in Colorado
Springs. The weather has been mild and dry with
abundance of clear sunny days. The anxiety OF
friends. however, is not yet passed. She will re-
main here while the Secretary will return to Wash