The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-27
Admission OF American Food stuns
Into Porto Rico Free and Gre
ates a Local Government.
TENOR OF THE SPEECHES
ADDRESSES BY FORAKER, CULLOM,
ALLISON AND OTHERS.
At Least Six Republican Senators, In
cluding Mr. Beverfdge, Deter
mined TO Hold Out.
,nec,al 70 the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. March 26.-The regular,
or administration, Republicans in the Sem
ate are feeling better tonight than they
have at any time since the Porto Rican
controversy arose. They are very much in
evidence this evening about the hotels and
the public resorts, and are boasting that
they have the battle won. On the surface
it does not appear that they have gained
any special advantage, but they claim the
Independents are in a mood to accept any
reasonable compromise which will enable
them to retreat with honor. The caucus or
conference of Republican senators this aft
ernoon lasted for three hours and ended
without any fixed programme being agreed
on. Yet indications point TO settlement
among them before a vote is reached. The
Davis substitute, which is printed else
where, was hardly considered. 1t was
measurably acceptable to the independ-
ents, but was rejected by the regulars as a
loaded subterfuge.
The proposition which received the ap-
proval OF far the largest number of those
present was: To fix tariff of Is per cent
OF the Dingley rates on Porto Rican ex-
ports to the United States; TO admit Amer
lean foodstuffs into Porto Rico free of
duty; to create local self-government in
Porto Rico; to authorize the Porto Rican
legislature to establish it's own form of
internal taxation and to continue the same
until such time the local government
Is self-supporting, the President of the
United States, upon formal notification to
that effect by the Porto Ricans. to declare
free trade between the island and the main-
land by proclamation. This scheme was
labeled the administration plan. Strong op-
position to IL was manifested. but those Of
the independents who were in a mood to
compromise gave IL their thoughtful con-
sideration. A difference OF opinion among
the majority arose as TO whether this plan,
II adopted. should be added as an amend
nnent to the House bill or to the Senate
still open when the conference closed, and
the tacit understanding was that all propo-
sitions should be considered In open Senate
and time be given for full discussion before
q vote is demanded. The hope is that by
this course common understanding may
be reached and united Republican vote
be given to whatever plan may be decided
on as the most expedient for extricating
the party from an unpleasant dilemma.
This will give those who are holding out
for free trade opportunity for explaining
their views, IL is contended by the regulars.
The House leaders have not been con-
suited, and from present indications the
Senate Republicans are going ahead with
out much regard to what the House may
do. evidently feeling that whatever COM
promise they may agree upon the House
majority will accept. AS one of the regu-
lars remarked this evening: ''The Senate
wiz throw a mass Of raw meat into the
House and let the boys over there chew on
IL. believing they will masticate 1t in a
proper manner"