The age-herald., 1900-02-28

Washington, February H.-The general debate on the Porto Rico bill closed today in blaze of glory. The galleries were banked to the doors and every seat on the floor was occupied when the rival cham ptons of the respective sides, MT. Deliver of Iowa and MT. Bailey of Texas, made the closing arguments Each spoke for an hour.
 The speech of MT. Bailey, devoted almost exclusively to the legal phases of the con- troversy while it was profound and im- pressive, did not arouse the ugIoounded enthusiasm which swept galleries and floors while MT. Deliver was speaking. The lowan was at his best, and Ells wit, elo- quence and sarcasm in turn drew salvos of applause from his republican associates.
 Before the closing speeches were made MT. Cannon of Illinois, chairman of the appropriation committee and one of the veterans of the republican side, made an exceptionally effective speech in support of the bill. Messrs. Carmack, democrat, of Tennessee; Clayton, democrat, of Alabama; Kle5org democrat, of Texas; Pearce and DeArmond, democrats, of Missouri, had also made speeches In opposition to the bin. The republican managers are now confident that with the modifcations agreed upon at the conference last might the bill will command a narrow majority in tine final vote tomorrow.
 Carmack Opens Debate
 The last day of the general debate on the Porto Rico tariff bill opened with twenty minutes speech by MT. Carmaek of Tennessee, in opposition to the bill. The alternative presented by the bill, he said, was the abandonment of our priceless prin- eples or of our new possessions. The eoun- try had been daZzled with the gorgeous picture of empire, yet at the very threshold of the departure, he said, gentleman the other side had been appalled, lest the trade which they had looked at with covetous eyes would bring ruin and de- eitruction to American labor. Therefore, the new possessions We're ito become colo- nes and be turned over to carpet-bagger- ism. He said MT. Grosvenor the other day had displayed dense ignorance when he had declared that this was the battle of 1860 over again. He read from the republl- can platform of 1860 to show that 1t advo- ca'ted tihe very contention maintained by tfne democrats now-that the constitution
 
 ing over every foot of ground over which the United States had jurisdiction.
 That was the doctrine of a republican party and Abraham Lincoln" said he, "and we stand here to defend the theory that slavery and political despotism cannot be | imposed within the jurisdiction of our coun- l try; that life, liberty and the pursuit of | happiness are the inalienable rights of all within our Jurisdiction"
 Clayton Ridicultd Payne MT. Clayton of Alabama, who followed Mir Carmack, created much amusement and enthusiasm by reading letter writ ten by Chairman Payne to w. H. Curtis of Palmyra, N. Y., January 24, 1900 in which he advocated free trade with Porto Rico on the ground that it would give relief to | the stricken island. The letter also con- | tained the following references to the Phil- | ippines: Under the treaty the Philippine l islands are to have the trade with Spain l for ten years. We could not extend these | tariff laws to the Philippine islands even If | we would
 | Mr Clayton suggested that this letter and an extract from MT. Payne's speech in support of the bill be printed in parallel columns in the record. MT. Payne smiingly assented to the re- quest, and expressed the hope that there would be no objection.
 Mir. Kleberg, of Texas, and MT. Pierce, Of Tennessee, also opposed the bill. The latter declared that the brood of trusts had fiocked to Washington, and had com pelled the leaders of the republican party to turn their backs upon Porto Rico He asked if the people of that island were not entitled to as just consideration as the sul- tan of Sulu, who was granted free trade with all the Philippine islands Mr. Dearmond of Missouri said this bill proposed to set aside the constitution. not for the purpose of doing something philan- thropic but in the interest of the partial or complete enslavement of a helpless peo- pie. This change of front had been brought by the influence of agents of military cor- orations."
 Cannon's Strong Sreech Mir. Cannon of Illinois followed MT. De. Armond. He spoke with much earpestness. @lI ..~. l.< c.sl t..1<