Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-03-23
FIFTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
THE HOUSE REFUSES TO CONCUR
IN THE PORTO RICAN BILL.
The Democrats Stand Firmly by the
Amended Bill, but the Republicans
Refuse to Go behind the Party
Edlet and Advocate NOn-COncur-


relief to the inhabitants of the island,
but the Republicans stood firmly be-
hind Chairman Cannon in his demand
that the House should insist upon it's
original provision to appropriate not
only the money collected on Porto
Rican goods up to January 1st, but all
Subsequent moneys collected or to be
collected. The remainder Of the day
was devoted to District Of Columbia
business.
The Pension Appropriation bill was
sent to conference. Messrs. Barney, of
Wisconsin; McCleary of Minnesota, and
Bell, Of Colorado, were appointed con-
ferrees.
When the Porto Rlcan Appropriation
bill was called up Mr.. Cannon moved
the House non-cOncur in the Senate
amendments, and Mr.. McRae, of Ar
kansas, moved concurrence.
Mr.. Cannon explained the changes
made in the bill by the Senate. Mr..
MCRae said that the essential differ
encc between the two bills was that thu
House bill affirmed the right of the
United States to impose the Dingley
rates against Porto Rico, whereas the
Senate provision upon this subject was
indefinite.
Members on both sides. he said, were
agreed that the duties collected on
Porto Rican goods should be returned,
the Democrats taking the position that
there should be absolute free trade be-
tween the islands and the United States.
Democratic APPLAUSE.
Mr.. Bell, Of Colorado, advocated con-
currence in the Senate amendments be-
cause, he said, the language Of those
amendments distinctly assumed the in
stailatiOn Of q civil government in
Porto Rico in the near future.
Mr.. Bail, Of Texas, said he was aston
ished to hear the gentleman (Cannon)
move Inconvenience in the Senate
amendments. When the bill was Origi-
naIly before the House Mr.. Cannon had
appealed for "stOrm-sWept, starving
Porto Rico" Concurrence will send
to the island immediate relief. Nom
concurrence will cause delay. Mr.. Ball
endorsed the action of the Senate in
specifically setting forth the purposes
for which the money was to be used.
In the course of his remarks he paid
his respects to the anonymous Cabinet
officer" who some days ago had attack
ed as crafty politicians those who had
refused to support the Porto Rican Tar
if bill. He said he could hardly be-
Iieve that one who assailed others in
so undetermined a way could be a mem
Der Of the Cabinet.
Mr.. Moody, of Massachusetts,, sup
ported Mr.. CannOn's motion on the
ground that it would support the House
proposition to turn to the account of
Porto Rico every cent Of duties col
lected under the DingIey law. The con-
fict of the two houses had absolutely
nothing to do with the question of free
trade between the United States and
Porto Rico.
Mr.. McCleary, Of Minnesota, in advo-
eating Mr.. Cannon's motion, declared
that the Porto Rican Tariff bill pro-
posed to treat the people of the island
better than the people of any territory
of the United States were ever treated.
Mr.. Swanson, of Virginia, denounced
the Porto RiCan Tariff bill az ''infa-
NOUS" and said the pending bill to give
back the duties collected under the
Dingley law was an attempt to sugar
coat the outrage. The power to fix the
duties on goods coming into and going
from this country was the power eXer-
cised by England prior to the Revolu-
ton and was one of the main reasons
why the colonies threw off the yoke.
Mr.. Hemingway, Of Indiana, said the
trouble with the Democrats was they
talked one way and voted another. The
Republicans proposed to deal with the
situation in & practical way. They did
not propose to .ivc the Porto Ricans
free trade ard impose internal revenue
taxes upon them.
Mr.. Cannon concluded the debate
His motion, he said, was designed to
turn over to the Porto Ricans every
dollar heretofore and hereafter collect
ed.
Mr.. Cannon ridicu1ed the Democrats
for their harsh words concerning the
treatment accorded Porto Rico in con-
trast with the treatment accorded it by
Spain. They had, he said, changed
their tune in two short years. Now to
kindlieSt government on earth. Cen
tIemen," he concluded, talk is cheap;
here is action. The House bill was
right. Let us stick to it,
Mr.. McRae, of Arkansas, demanded
the yeas and nays upon his motion. The
motion to concur was lOst-86 to 116.
The motion to nom concur then prevail
ed without division.
It was strict party vote with the eX
CeptiOn of Mr.. Th8yer, Democrat, Of
Massachusetts, who voted with the Re-
publicans against the motion. The
Speaker appointed MessIs. Cannon,
Moody and NcRae conferrees on the
part of the House.
A bill Incorporating the Frederick
Douglass Memorial and Historical AS
sociatiOn was passed
At O'Clock the House adjourned.
THE SENATE.
Washington, March -. Two measures
of national Importance and many Of
slightly lesser interests were passed by
the Senate to-day. The legislative, eXecu-
tive and judicial appropriation bill, carry
ing more than $25,0G0 Geo, was passed with
out debate. The committee amendments
were agreed to as the bill was being read.
The measure providing for the appoint
1nent of q commission to adjudicate and
settle claims OF citizens of the United
States growing out of the war with
Spain, was also passed without opposi
tiOn
After brief time the Porto Rican Gov
eminent and Tariff measure was under
consideration. Mr. Foraker, in charge CT
the ILL. submitted some amendments. \
few Of them were agreed to, but the i'm
portant ones are still pending. a free
trade amendment to the bi. was offered
by Senator BeVerilge, who gave notice lie
would address the Senate Thursday.
A request of the House for a conference
on the Pension Appropriation bill WIS
agreed to, and Messrs. Shoup Quarles and
Taliaferro were appointed cOnferees from
the present Senate.
After some further amendments, prir
cipally changing tie rhraseology of tn
original measure, had been offered, th5
Senate, at AS -. adjourned
"a FREE EIGssE AZ BANQUET.