The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-06
Objection Made to Provision That Per-
mits President to Appoint All
Members of Upper Council.
NO FREE TRADERS PRESENT
LITTLEFIELD AND
OTHERS NOT AT THE CAUCUS.
Absent Republicans Summoned and a
Vote to BE Taken SOOn-Many
Porto Ricans Starving.

licans of the House In caucus tonight de-
cided to take the shortest possible route
to termination of the Porto Rican tariff
amendments and sending the bill directly
to the President. There was a feeble pro-
test from Mr.. Cooper, of Wisconsin, chair
man of the insular commission, and Mr..
Moody, of Massachusetts, who favored
standing out against some of the features
Of the civil government scheme attached
to the bill by the Senate. They objected
especially to the Senate provision making
all the members of the upper council of
the Porto Rican Legislature appointees of
the President and clothing them with the
power to grant franchises. but the senti-
ment of the caucus overwhelmingly
against them. None of the Republicans
who voted against the original House bill
were at the caucus. AS soon as the Repub-
licans absent from the city can be got
here, as early as Monday, the matter will
be brought before the House under a spe-
cial rule. Dilatory motions will be cut off
under the rule. There has been no de-
cision to the time to be allowed for
debate.
the conference. However, not one Of the
seven Republicans who opposed the original
bill (Messrs. Mccall, of Massachusetts,
Littlefeld, of Maine, Lorimer, of Illinois,
Heatwole. of Minnesota, Crumpacker, of
Indiana, Lane, of Iowa, and Warner. of
lllinois) was present. At conference held
by them they decided not to recede from
their former position and consequently
they considered it useless to attend the
conference tonight. Mr.. Cannon, of Illi-
nois, chairman of the Republican caucus,
presided. Mr.. Payne, of New York. tie
floor leader of the majority, made speech
as to the necessity for harmonious action.
He said the Republicans of the ways and
means committee were agreed that so far
as the Senate amendments to the tariff
provisions of the bill were concerned they
should be concurred i'm. He pointed out
that the amendments supported the posi-
ton of the House for a tariff and that
concurrence involved no abandonment of
the course to which the Republicans of
the House had committed themselves. He
further stated that the provision except
ing breadstuffs from the tariff would help
to allay some of the unreasonable clamor
against the bill and he commended the
five-cent duty on coffee as in line with the
protective policy. He moved that the eau
Gus declare in favor of concurrence in the
amendments to the tariff provisions. In
regard to the civil government scheme
embodied in the Senate amendment, he
thought it proper that the members of
the insular committee who had evolved
the bill should be heard.
After some minor discussion about the
spelling OF the word Porto Rico, Mr.. Coop
er. of Wisconsin, chairman of the insular
affairs committee, took the floor and made
an earnest speech against the acceptance
of certain features of the Senate bill. His
remarks were directed chiefly against the
Senate's provision regarding the upper
house council of the Porto Rican Legis-
lature. ihe Senate provided that all the
members should be appointed by the Presi-
dent whereas the House bill makes half
OF them elective. The power given to the
council to grant franchises was another
feature which he strenuously opposed. Mr..
Cooper had taken great pride in the pro-
visions of the House bill relating to
franchises and corporations and he spoke
with much feeling. He concluded by ad-
vocating concurrence in the tariff features
and noncurrence in the Senate's civil gov
ernment scheme. Mr.. Moody, of Massachu-
setts. followed Mr.. Cooper along the same
lines. Mr.. Hemenway, of Indiana then
moved concurrence in all the Senate
amendments. His motion evoked enthusi-
asm and Ii was evident that large ma
jority OF the caucus favored termination
of the struggle by the shortest route Mr..
Grosvenor, of Ohio, Mr.. Cannon, of Ili-
nois, and Mr.. Ray, of New York, advo-
Gated concurrence in the entire Senate
bill. AS the debate proceeded the leaders.
one after another. urged this course
Speaker Henderson finally concluded with
a rousing speech urging concurrence in
the Senate amendments in gross. and when
the vote was taken on Mr.. Hemenway's
motion the chorus of yeas was overwheIm-
ing. Without division 1t was declared car
ried and the caucus adjourned.
After the caucus Chairman Cannon gave
out statement as follows: 1T was a
full and harmonious caucus. The best of
temper was displayed. Mr.. Payne moved
concurrence in the nineteen Senate amend
ments covering the revenue features of
the bill and Mr.. Hemenway. of Indiana.
offered an amendment 10 the motion TO
concur in all the Senate amendments. The
vote was taken first on the amendment
which was agreed TO practically with
unanimity. Not more than two men pres
ent voted against it. The amended motion
was then agreed to. The matter will be
brought up in the House as soon as the
absentees. some OF whom are at home sick.
or taokfnr after br1sfness rolfffcaI rr <,th.-
wise. can return. Every effort viii be
made TO have them here on Monday. There