Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-02-28

After Several Days Of Lively Debate
the Bill P.,sses, i72 to 161.


Washington. Feb. 2s-The last days
struggle over the P. erto Rican tariff
bill opened with neal every member
in his seat. and large attendance
in the galleries. Leaders we're ac-
lively engaged in rallying their forces
and making computations upon the
final vote to be taken under order at
o'clock. Mr.. Underwood. of Ala
bama, OF the democratic whip. said
the result would be very close and
turn upon the votes OF two OF three
democrats. Tawney. Of the republi-
can whip. said the bill would have
votes to spare. The clerk began
reading the bill for amendment, under
the FIVE minute rule. When section
8 was reached. Payne, chairman of
the ways and means committee, Of
fered a substitute fixing the duties at
Is per cent. Berry. of Kentucky, said
the amendment proposed petty in
stead of grand larceny from the peo-
pie of Puerto Rico.
Payne explained the substitute re
duced duty from 25 to 15 per cent, also
removed some confusion regarding
double taxation. Amended bill would
raise about $1.25O.OOO year.
Washington. Feb. 2S-The bill was
opposed in short speeches by De Ar
mond, of Missouri, Fitzgerald, Of
Massachusetts, Otey, of Virginia, and
defended by Grow, of Pennsylvania,
Graft. of Illinois, Bromwell, of Ohio,
who hitherto opposed the measure;
and Grosvenor, of Ohio. Payne's
amendment was adopted without di-
vision.
Washington. Feb 2S-Payne OFFER
ed an additional section, agreed on
by the republicans, providing that the
act shall not continue in force after
March 1st next Agreed to without
division. Payne offered a preamble
to the bill reciting the serious con-
dition of affairs in the island. Adopted
on a rising vote of 1853 to 151. Cum
mings, of New York, described how
he believed it to be the duty of every
man in a great crisis to rise above
the party and support the govern
ment, as he had done during the
Spanish war.
Il believe now we should follow the
lead of the president" said fb EN-
phatically, "and I will vote for this
bill"
Republicans rose en- masse and
cheered while the democrats sat
dazed. Cummings stood with arm up
raised until the republican applause
ceased. Il will vote for this BILL" he
continued, addressing the republican
side, provided it is amended in ac-
cordance with the advice of the pres
ident for absolute free trade with |
Puerto Rico" The democrats then
made the rafters ring with cheers
Mccall. of Massachusetts, offered as
/ substitute the bill for free trade
With Puerto Rico, originally introduc-
ID by Payne. The yeas and nays
we're ordered.
Republicans who voted for adoption
Of the substitute were Heatwole. of |
Littlefield, of Maine, Lor-
inner, of Illinois, Mccall. Of Massa-
chusetts, Crumpacker, of Indiana.
Democrats who voted with the re-
publicans against the substitute were
Davey and Meyer, Louisiana, Sibley,
of Pennsylvania, Devries, of Califor-
MIA.
Washington, Feb. 2S-The substi--
tute for the Puerto Rican bill was de-
feated 159 yeas to IT'S nays. This in
dicates the passage of the bill. Rich
-ardson, of Tennessee, moved to re-
commit the bill
Washington, Feb. 2S-The Puerto
Rican bill passed 172 to ISL.