New-York tribune., 1900-04-11
RALLYING FOR THE VOTE.
FINAL ACTION ON THE PUERTO RICAN
BILL IN THE HOUSE TO-DAY.
IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
BY SMALL MAJORITY EXPECTED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBusn.l

IBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNEl
Washington, April 10-At the meeting of the
Ways and Means Committee to-day ii das de-
c1ded by vote of to to recommend concur
renee in all the Senate amendments TO the
Fuerto Rcan bill The vote was on party lines,
except that Mr.. Mccall of Massachusetts, voted
with the Democrats against concurrence There
was no discussion to how much time should
be allowed for debate before the vote in the
House. but members of the majority of the com
mittee afterward expressed the opinion that four
hours. to be equally divided between the friends
ana opponents of the motion, would be fair
allowance in the latter should not consume
much time in obstructng the adoption of the
special order. which will be brought in by the
Committee on Rules early tomorrow. The final
vote will be taken concurrence before the
House adjourns
The party whips both sides say that the
majority for or against concurrence will be
extremely narrow, but Mr. Long, OF Kansas, the
Republican whip, to whose intelligent and in
defatigable work high praise is due, appeared to
be more confident to-day that his side would
win than his adversary, Mr.. Underwood Of
Alabama, did of q Democratic triumph. On
strict party vote Mr.. Long said, the Republi-
cans have a majority of nineteen votes the
combined opposition. But the vote will not
strictly follow party lines
THE REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION
The following Republicans will vote with the
Democrats: Littlefield, Of Maine; Mccall, of
Massachusetts; Crumpacker of Indiana Lori
mer and Warner. of Illinois, Lane, OF Iowa. and
Heatwole, of Minnesota. 1t is believed that Mr..
Fletcher. of Minnesota, may do so, although
that is open to doubt. He voted against the
passage of the Puerto Rican Tariff bill
stitutional grounds 1t is also rumored that
Of will In he
negative He voted for the tariff bill. Still
other Western Republican who voted for the
tariff bill six weeks is reported tonight to
be shaky." Senator Proctor him this af
ternoon and pleaded earnestly with him not to
vote to concur. Both the Senators from the
same State this ''shaky' Congressman, voted
for the Puerto Rican bill. The total Republ-
can detection. therefore, may amount to ten
votes which is the number claimed by the
sistant Democrats on this occasion
De Vries, the California Democrat who voted
for the tariff bill. 1t is understood, Will vote
against concurrence. Mr. Sibley of Pennsyl-
vania, who also voted for the tariff bill, will
support the motion to He cannot be
longer classed among Democrats, however, as
he has virtually been nominated a Repub-
lican candidate for reelection to Congress.
Messrs. Davey and Meyer. the Louisiana Demo-
Gratis who voted for the tariff b absent
and will not return in time to vote tomorrow.
Mr. Davey telegraphed to Mr.. Long tonight
that he desired to be paired in favor Of concur
renee. Mr.. Meyer agrees with his colleague on
this question.
TESTIMATES OF THE VOTE
All the Republican absentees except Mr.. Bou-
telle, of Maine, protected by pairs with
Democrats which in writing and recognized
by the Democratic whip. Four who are here
are paired with absent Democrats while six
Democrats who are here paired with absent
Republicans. The Democratic whip tonight con-
ceded that his side will be five votes short on
0f Sip md
paired. The Republican whips estimate sub
stantialy agrees with that of his opponent. On
the basis Of these estimates the majority for
concurrence will be nine votes, three less than
the Tariff bill received on February 2S. The
actual majority may be few more or less the
result depending such contingencies as the
failure Of number Of members who are on their
way TO Washington tonight to arrive in time to
vote, sudden illness of members, etc.
1t is said at the War Department to-day that
no change will be made in the administration of
civil affairs in Puerto Rico pending approval by
the President Of the action Of Congress.