Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-02-28
PORTO RICAN TARIFF
The Bill Passed In the House, But
Only After 1t Had Been
Changed
IS A COMPROMISE MEASURE
It Will Be of Short Duration and the
Revenues Derived From the Tax
Will Go to the Uses of
Porto Rico.
THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE.
! Washington, February 2S.-The las
days struggle over the Porto Rican tar
if bill opened with nearly every mem
ber in his seat and, large attendance
in the galleries. The leaders were &C
lively engaged In rallying their force!
and making computations upon the fina
vote to be taken under the order at
o'clock.
Mr.. Underwood of Alabama, the Dem.
ocratic whip, said the result would be
very close, and turn upon the votes OF
two or three Democrats. Mr.. Tawney
the Republican whip said the bill would
have votes to spare.
The clerk began reading the bill fol
amendment under the five-minute rule
When section was reached Mr.. Payne
chairman of the ways and means com.
mittee, offered a substitute, fixing the
duties at Is per cent.
Mr.. Berry Of Kentucky said the
amendment proposed petty instead OF
grand larceny against the people OF
Porto Rico.
The bill was opposed in short speeches
by Mr.. De Almond Of Missouri, Fitz-
gerald of Massachusetts and Otey OF
Virginia, and defended by Mr. Grow OF
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Graft of Illinois, Mr.
Bromwell of Ohio, who had hitherto op-
posed the measure, and Mr.. Grosvenor
of Ohio. The Payne amendment was
adopted without division.
Mr.. Payne explained that the substi-
tute reduced the duty from 25 to Is per
cent, and also removed some confusion
regarding double taxation. The amend
ed bill would raise about $1,250,000 a
year.
The substitute for the Porto Rican bill
failed by 159 yeas to ITS nays. This in
dicates the passage of the bill.
Mr.. Richardson Of Tennessee moved
to recommit the bill.
The motion to recommit the Porto RI
can bill to the ways and means commit
tee was lost by 1852 to 172.
Mr.. Payne offered an additional Sec
ton agreed on by the Republicans pro-
vidlng the act shall not continue In force
after March next. This was agreed to
without division.
Mr.. Payne offered a preamble to the
bill reciting the serious condition Of at
fairs in the island. This was adopted
on rising vote by 1853 to 151.
Mr.. Cummings Of New York describ-
ed how he believed 1t to be the duty of
every man in this great crisis to rise
above party and support the govern
ment, as was done during the Spanish
war. Il believe now we should follow
the lead of the president" said he en-
phatically, land I will vote for this
bill"
The Republicans rose en- masse and
cheered, while the Democrats sat dazed
Mr.. Cummings stood with his arm up
raised until the Republican applause
ceased. II will vote for this bill," he
continued, addressing the Republican
side, provided it Is amended In accord
ance with the advice of the president
for absolute free trade with Porto
Rico"
The Democrats made the rafters ring
with cheers.
Mr.. Mccall Of Massachusetts, offered
as a substitute bill for free trade with
Porto Rico originally introduced by Mr.
Payne. The yeas and nays were or
dered. The Republicans who voted for
the adoption Of the substitute were Mr..
HeatwoIe of Minnesota, Littlefield of
Maine, Lorimer of Illinois, Mccall of
Massachusetts, Crumpacker Of Indiana.
The Democrats who voted with the Re-
publicans against the substitute were:
Davey and Meyer Of Louisiana, Sibley
Of Pennsylvania and Devries Of Califor-
MIA
The Porto Rican bill then passed by
172 to 161.
THE SENATE
Mr.. Aldrich called up the conference
report on the financial bill and made an
explanation of the differences between
the senate bill and the conference bill
Mr.. McLaurin of South Carolina ad-
dressed the senate on the Philippine
question. He strongly advocated the
retention Of the islands by this govern
ment