The age-herald., 1900-04-15
PORTO RICO BILL
 r CAMPAIGN ISSUE Democrats Expect to Win the
 Next House. REPUBLICANS ON RECORD Intense Feeling Has Developed Over the Question, and Democrats Will Have All the Speeches Printed and Distributed
REPUBLICANS ON RECORD

Washington April 14-(SpeciaL 1.-The democrats propose to make a vigorous campaign issue of the Porto Rican legis- lation, enacted by a republican congress. They count confidently upon gaining votes in the presidential and congressional elec- tions thereby. In fact. they are so much impressed with this idea that they ab solutely confident of carrying the next house, and believe, also, that Mr. Bryans election is very probable. The democrats will distribute the speeches made against the Porto Rican bill by republicans in the house and senate, both those holding that the constitution covers Porto Rico, and there is no constitutional power to impose duties on products coming into or from Porto Rico, and those criticising the Por- to Rican bill an act of unfairness and unfaithfulness to Porto Rico.
 The intense feeling that has developed over the Porto Rican question was shown during the closing debate on the bill on Wednesday. and not before during this ses- sion has there been such sharp partisan criticism on each side and such careful maneuvering for advantage.
 The constitutionality of the Porto Rican act will, within a comparatively short pe- riod, be brought before the supreme court and the question whether the constitution covers Porto Rico, and inferentially the other territory acquired as a result of the war with Spain will be decided. It is of the greatest importance that the supreme court should make a decision on this point at the earliest possible moment that the future policy of our government toward the territory acquired as a result of the war with Spain may be definitely deter mined. In the event of a decision by the supreme court, holding the Porto Rican legislation unconstitutional the problems of dealing with our new dependencies will become more grave, and their continuance under the flag fraught with dangers and difficulties not to be considered lightly.
 Republican Parry Committed
 The republican party stands committed to the Porto Rican bill. It is republican legislation. It was passed by both houses by republican votes, despite the fact that democrats in the house voted for it, or were paired in it's favor and one democrat In the senate was paired for it, and Sev- eral non-republicans in that body act ually voted for it or were paired for It. It would have passed the house. without regard the support of demo- crats and been agreed to in the senate without non-republican support, though naturally by reduced majorities in each case. The fact that republicans in each house voted against the bill does not pre- vent it from being republican legislation. No matter how sincere the motives of these republicans who put themseiyes in opposition to their party, they must. from a party standpoint, be regarded as bolt CTS" But the term 'bolter" does not carry opprobrium with it. It is not used offen- sively. In this instance it represents inde- pendence of thought and the courage to stand up for sincere belief The country will give these men credit for manly inde- pendence.