The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-23
But MT. Pettus and Others Objected
to Fixing a Time for Voting
on the Measure.
PEACE COMMITTEE AT WORK
WILL ENDEAvOR TO SECURE ACTION
ON THE HOUSE BILL.
Senator Deveridge Standing Firmly
for Free Trade, and VIII speak IL
No Compromise IL Effected.
,ecial 70 the InaianapOl,s journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. March 22.-It looked
for few minutes this afternoon as though
there would be vote in the Senate on
the Porto Rican tariff bill. The confer
ence report on the Porto Rican relief bill
was before the Senate. Mr.. Allen. of Me-
braska, was making a political speech.
taunting the Republicans with what he
called their policy of delay and procrasfi-
nation Emboldened by their silence. ne
shouted at them:
'You do not dare bring the Porto Rican
tariff bill as it passed the House TO
vote in the Senate
Senator Foraker, who has the bill in
charge, was instantly on his feet accepting
the challenge. He asked for unanimous
consent to take the vote Immediately, or
at any time this afternoon. ar. Allen was
willing Everybody seemed dazed for a
moment Then Mr.. Bacon. Of Georgia, said
he would like the taking OF vote post
poned till tomorrow. so he and others could
think up few amendments to offer. When
this was arranged Mr.. Berry. OF Arkansas.
who has been away campaigning for re-
election, had to have IL explained TO him
that the House bill was before the Senate.
By the time he had grasped the parlia-
mentary situation, Mr.. Proctor, OF YER
mont, who favors free trade with Porto
Rico, came in from the cloak room and
found out what was going on. He said he
and the other Republicans who favored
free trade were taken by surprise, and he
objected to a vote before the middle OF
next week
An agreement for a vote next Tuesday
was about to be reached. when the aged
Mr.. Petus, of Alabama, who had been
quietly waiting, said the proceedings Were
out OF order. II don't think" he said,
"the senator from Nebraska and the sena-
tor from Ohio should take up the time or
the Senate Dragging against each other.
I demand the regular order" That was
the conference report, with Mr.. Allen on
the floor He said: Il knew somebody
the Republican side would object. The
senator from Ohio undertook TO run blum
and his own party called him."
So ended the episode, which impressed
those who witnessed ii that there were
enough Republican senators ready to vote
for it to pass the House Porto Rican tariff
bill as it came to the Senate.
Senator Beveridge stir stands firmly for
ferred. not abandoned. his intention OF ad-
dressing the Senate on his free trade
amendment to the Porto Rican bill. and
will carry out that intention IL COM
promise is not reached for which all Re-
publican senators can vote There are. in
all, thirteen of these free trade, or ''re-
ciprocity" senator's, as they prefer 10 call
themselves, who have agreed among them
selves not 10 vote for the House bill as II
stands. This means fits defeat. If they
stick TO their agreement. The probabilities
seem 10 favor a compromise by which
l5 per cent. OF the Dingley rates will be
| collected on articles coming from Porto
| Rico but none on those going there from
| the United States-the operation OF the
| law TO be limited 10 such time as the Legls-
Iature of Porto Rico can provide its own
revenue laws.
The news that the Iowa Legislature has
| adopted a resolution favoring free trade
| with Porto Rico has encouraged the ''rc-
| ciprocity" senators. But for them there
| would be no talk of compromise. for there
would be no need OF one. Any modification
| OF the House bill will be a great victory for
the senators who have stood out for free
| trade or reciprocity
Senator Beveridge is getting about peck
of letters and kilograms every day In
dorsing his position. They come from all
over Indiana and from many other States.
| especially the Middle West.