The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-23
PORTO RICO APPROPRIATION BILL.
A Discussion of the Conference Report on the
Measure
(By the Associated Press. }

(By the Associated PreSS)
Washington, March 22.-Almost the en-
ire session of the Senate today was
spent in the discussion of the conference
-eport upon the Porto Rico Appropriation
Bill. The Democratic Senators mani
'ested a disposition to criticise the res
grafton of the House provision covering
'uture collections of revenue processing
find in this action desire to continue
he Dingley tariff.
Speeches were made on these lines by
Messrs. Bacon, Cockrell Jones (Ark),
ierry and Allen. The Republicans met
he taunt with a proposition to take
'ote Immediately upon the House Porto
sico Tariff Bill and it looked at one time
s if the unanimous consent would be Sc
ured for a vote on the tariff measure
omorrow. Senator Proctor, objected
towever, on behalf of the Republican free
raiders and when he indicated a willing
,ess to agree to a vote next week, Sen
tor Pettus put an end to the proceeding
Y calling for the regular order of bust
less.
The following resolutions were passed:
My Mr.. Allen, requesting information
S to the tariff rates in force in the Phil
Pines, Guam, Porto Rico and Cuba and
he amount collected in each instance
nee the American occupation.
BY Mr. Butler, asking the Secretary OF
ne Treasury for information as to the
INK charters granted since the passage
the Currency Bill and for other in
1rmation concerning the operations OF
he bill.
The Senate then took up the conference
rort on the Porto Rican Appropriation
sill.
Mr.. Bacon (Ga), objected to the
Ranges made in conference. The re-
ort would, he said, indicate that mu-
ual concessions had been made on behalf
f both the Senate and the House, but
held that an analysis would show
hat the Senate had yielded practically
verifying and the House nothing.
Mr.. Bacon objected especially to the
opcession on the part of the Senate to
he House contention that the appropria-
ion should cover future collections as
veil as those accruing up to January list.
The appropriation bill, he said, should
re definite in terms, and especially was
t believed by Mr.. Bacon that it was
he purpose of the bill to provide for
he contingency that the tariff bill now
ending may fail. In that event the
cvc1Eo arrangement would continue.
hat he thought was a legitimate con-
fusion.
Mr.. Bacon then launched upon gen.
raj argument against the Republican
lolicy with reference to trade between
he United States and the islands ac-
luired in the war with Spain. No such
outcry had recently been witnessed as
hat which had gone up from all over
he country after the passage of the
House bill, which was intended to OPP
ress an unprotected people. Naturally
he Republican leaders had sought to
ind a protecting shelter from this storm
md this bill was intended as a peace Of
fering to appease the indignation of the
people. Not only had there been trouble
IN the country at large, but in the Sen
ate as well and as consequence the
Senate for the first time in it's history
had peace committee-a committee ap-
ointed by the Republican caucus of the
Senate to preserve peace among it's mem
bers.
Not only did Mr. Bacon want free trade
With Porto Rico but he wanted it quickly.
The great need of the Porto Ricans was
% have such legislation as would put
hem in a position to help themselves and
his could not be done by the course at
resent proposed. The talk of charity and
tumanitarianism was derided by him as
mere pretense. He also contended thai
he money to be returned would not
20 to the people from whom it had been
collected.
Mr.. Bacon urged that Porto Rico was
ntitled to a free territorial government
With all it's privileges
AT $50 o'clock p. M, the Senate adj