The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-03-06
Fridays Proceedings.

In the opinion of Republicans, President
Mckinley made a master stroke yesterday
mat Will allay popular Indignation caused
| by the passage through the House of the
Porto Rican tariff bill. AS soon as the
House assembled and was ready for the
transaction of business a surprise was
sprung in the appearance of a message
from the White House. recommending the
return Of duties collected from Porto
Rico up TO date and amounting to over
100000. There were really but few Re
publiCans in the secret, and the applause
that followed the reading OF the message
only pTefaced another surprise, when
Uncle joe Cannon presented a bill to
carry out the Presidents recommendations
Immediately
On that measure the Democrats and
Republicans fought and tugged for over
two hours, complicating what is generally
regarded as the most remarkable political
situation for many Congresses. Although
unanimous consent was given for consid-
Grafton of the bill, the Democrats recov-
cred from their amazement, after hot
words were banded back and forth
across the center aisle for forty minutes,
the time agreed 10 for debate and re-
sisted by every parliamentary expedient
the final passage. Some thought that the
hilDustering was for the purpose of stav-
ing Oft action Of the Aldrich-RObbins elec-
ton contest, which was slated to be
brought up again, but this was denied tv
Democrats on the floor except as to the
last roll call. The bill has now gone 10
the Senate, where Republican Senators
VIII endoavor to have it passed at once
The Presidents Message.
When the Clerk had ceased reading the
Journal OF the previous days proceedings
the White House messenger was standing,
al the head of the aisle and bowed low.
when the Speaker recognized him Little
attention was paid TO this customary for
mality at first, while a page rushed to
Gen. Henderson's desk with the large
blue envelope. The label was swiftly
broken and the contents read, as follows:
To the Senate and House of Represent
tatives:
since the evacuation of Porto Rico
by the Spanish forces, on the 18th day
OF October, 1898, the United States has
collected on products coming from that
island to the ports of the United States
the duties fixed by the Dingley act and
amounting 10 S2,O95. 455.6S, and will con-
tinue 10 collect under said law until
Congress shall otherwise direct. AL
though l had the power, and having in
mind the best interests of the people
OF the island used it, TO modify duties
on goods and products entering into
Porto Rico, l did not have the power
10 remit or modify duties on Porto
Rican products coming into the ports
of the United States. In view of the
pressing necessity for immediate rev.
enue in Porto Rico for conducting the
government there and for the extern
sion of public education, and in view
also or the provisional legislation just
inaugurated by the House of Repre-
sentatives, and for the purpose of
making the principle embodied in that
legislation applicable TO the immediate
past as we'll as TO the immediate fu-
ture, j recommend that the above sum
so collected and the same hereafter
collected under existing law shall,
without awaiting for the enactment of
the general legislation row pending.
be appropriated for the use and benefit
of the island
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, March 2, 1900
Prodded by Mr. Richardson.
There were enthusiastic plaudits from,
the Republican side as Representative
Richardson. of Tennessee, stood I'D and
expressed the hope that the recommenda-
ton would meet with favor among MEM
hers Of the Presidents own party.
= t--'5T Vas auLD-e among the Demo-
Gratis at that pointed reference, and Uncle
joe Cannon, a Scion among RepubH-
cans. retorted in aggressive tones: TN
see II It meets with favor on that side Of
the House. I'll now ask for unanimous
consent for the immediate consideration
Of bill to carry the recommendations
Of the message into force"
Representative Richardson was still
standing and he hesitated at the suddan-
-ess e. tie request - opportunity was
afforded for consultation.
Better do il at once" remarked 'ITncIa
joe tauntingly, before you change your
mind"
Representative Richardson observed
that the changing OF minds had been on
the Republican side Of late. This was
spoken with force and raised a laugh on
The Democratic side
There was a brief parley before unani-
nous consent had been given. as ~ The
time that should be allowed for debate
ana twenty minutes on side was agreed
10. Il DO not suppose gentlemen on the
oNArF size can be or ore mind longer
than forty minutes" exclaimed Mr. Rich
ardson, and We agree il il will help you
out OF the hole" The clerk then read tha
bill as follows:
BE II enacted, &c, that the sum Of
s--U5, as, being the amount Of customs
revenue received on importatIons by the
United States from Porto Rico since the
evacuation OF Porto Rico by the Spanish
forces on October is, lses, 70 January /.
1850. together with any further customs
revenue collected on importations from
Porto Rico since January l. 1900. or that
shall hereafter be collected under exist
ing law. shall be placed al the disposal
OF the President. 10 be used for the goy-
eminent and beneft OF Porto Rico until