New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-24
LIMIT FIXED FOR DEBATE
VOTE. on THE PUERTO RICAN T.pYrr
BILL NEXT TUESDAY
REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE CALLED FOR
To-NIGHT-DINGLEY's SUCCESSOR AID
vocATEs FREE TRADE
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1Rrxr

he ralra
3 ?. m. next Tuesday. General debate will close
Monday, and speeches under the hve-rn,nute
rule viii follow up to the time OF the vote A.
the close Of the day a formal announcement
was made that Republican conference would
De heid at o'clock tomorrow evening.
The debate to-day even more lively and
interesting than that Of yesterday. The oppo-
sllon round new and powerful champion in
Nj Littlefeld. Of Maine, who spoke almost two
hours HIS speech filled nearly every seat on
the floor and packed the galleries The loud
est and most enthusiastic applause he race,,-ad
was from the Democratic side whose CONTAIN
ton that the provisions Of the Constitution an
'ofnaNcaliy extend over and operate in any and
al territory acquired by the United States. he
supported with all his ability and energy Mr.
Littleheld is brilliant and attractive sneaker
and ne added good deal Of spice TO the debate
The speech Of Mr.. Russell OF Connecticut q
member OF the Ways and Means Committee
VAS an able argument in favor of the pending
bill from the point Of view Of a business man
who understood existing conditions in Puerto
Rico. and who was sincerely DESTROYS of meet
iHg and relieving them in the best practicable
"ay- His speech to-day a valuable con-
tribution TO a debate which is destined 10 be
memorable Messrs Jones. Of Virginia. and
Maddox OF Georgia who preceded Mr. Russell
thrashed over the ehan OF constitutional doc
thing OF value TO the discussion
2Ir- Lacey. q Iowa. who spent several weeks
n Puerto Rico last year gave an interesting
account Of his personal observations in the
island and made an able argument in favor of
The pending measure. He was followed. on the
same side. by Mr.. Gardner, of Michigan who.
& is understood. first hesitated TO support
TIE bill, but has had his doubts removed by
the arguments subRaitted since the debate be-
gan
The majority leaders expect much good TO
result from Tomorrow nights conference which
Kill give an opportunity for free and unre-
served exchange of views and they still feel
confident that the bill will pass by a safe ma
JoTity. That confidence is not shared by all
Republicans, however and Mr. LittlefieId took
advantage Of the opportunity predict, in his
speech to-day. the defeat Of the measure
The Republican opponents Of the bill
busy to-day trying 10 effect a consolidation and
agree on propositions TO be advocated by them
n the conference tomorrow night They have
not as yet agreed plan Of action, but may
be able 10 do SO before the conference is held
THE DEBATE IN DETAIL
The debate on the Puerto Rioan Tariff bill was
resumed to-day L O'Clock Mr.. Payne the floor
leader Of the majority. notice that on Monday
ne would move 70 close general debate
M Richardson. the minority leader. appealed TO
NJ. Payne 10 close debate Monday He said
impossible for those his side OF the House
20 express Their views this week
M Powers. OF Vermont. Joined with Mr.. Rich
srdsou in the appeal for time He said II was
exceedingly important thar there should be ample
uae 10 debate this important measure. For himself
he desired more light on the subject before he
voted
Mr. Payne replied that there had been general
understanding that the debate should continue
week
Nj cSrosvenor said the Democrats had been de-
batting this question for two months Tous-indeed,
carIoads-of literature the subject had been sent
out and he thought little that was new could be
said upon the subject
NJ Richardson replied that the question Of IN
equal taxation Of the territories was now oels us
cussed for the first time
Nj Jones OF Virginia, member Of the InsuIaT
Committee was the first speaker to-day. He argued
against the passage Of the bill
M Maddox Of Georgia, followed in opposition
70 the bill
NJ Bartholdt Of Missouri. supported the bill
Nj Russell of Connecticut, a member OF the
WAYS and Means Committee. defended the Dill II
: careful argument on the commercial as well as
The legal phases OF the controversy He believed
free trade with Puerto Rico would do no material
injury 10 the industries Of the United states ana
~ If no material benefit the people Of the island
Mr. Russell explained that the tobacco growers OF
Connecticut had no interest in excluding Puerto
Rican tobacco.
Mr. LITTLEFIELD ATTACKS THE BILL
Ny IittIefeld OF Maine. followed His appear
-. ., ,he Aoor created q stir II was known
49, be would oppose the bill. and the high repu-
,a-to, he won in the Roberts debate made mem
hers OF both sides Of the House anxious 70 near
him He spoke IN time yielded 10 him by MI
Richardson the Democratic leader He began
with an emphatic declaration OF his reasons Ioi
ana TonizuR The bill. Il oppose this Dill salo Ne
because II is un-Re publican, un-AmeIlcah' IN
rreoeeented unwarranted and UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Re occupied painful position he sail he was
,-7nelled 70 dissent from the policy advanced y
distinguished men OF his party. whose long eN
uerience n legislation made them worthy e0
Re was = Republican and should support Repubh-
=, 6oo,rtnes but when great question Of right
and wrong 2 great question Of principle was pre-
es,-e6 ne fell; as he had no doubt every gentle
man on the floor felt. that each indlVlouai iIau
me right 70 think and speak for himself r or MN
80 - should DO right as God gave him to see
-fzhr Democratic appIaUse-D He SAD there "eie
reasons why the pending bill should not receive
~ .n,rovaI Of the Republican party. he was
-o- aware that any section Of the hePuOiiC0n
Marty At any spot place had Justineo IT.
- rt-.tsaei6 argued that the regeneration OF
r5-,e--o Pico could be brought about oy iodi'
vhieb he United States could authorize II -
-stse M one could doubt the ability OF the islaIu
- -enav the loan The people Of the island IN 1910
- ,at5 80 oc9 90 TO free the slaves Couo not
.,sse neoDle De trusted repay a trilihs i" ~
10 used FOR the relief Of the island
LOAN TO PUERTO RICO ADVOCATED.
Il s,r,,i+,ed that the people Of Puerto RICO Dy
tr.f- history we're entitled 10 fair trea'
n. hands Of the Republican party AL 'iey -
..shls government and hands on Ihey
- - themselves He believed that
oar q y o0ocOo OF s. 900 would De SUN 80
Mac. hen on their feet. but the amount ne 4
wiling - leave 20 the people who were 10 repA'
u 50 ne continued that II Hes in the HiOu.-