The age-herald., 1900-03-09
DISCUSSION IF
 PORTO RICO BILL Senate DeVOtes Over Four Hours
 to the Measure, .PETTUS MAKESSTROhG SPEECH Says Bill is Unconstitutional gv and Indecent. tAL SHARP coLLoQulEs rgan Notified the Body That He s Would Make Motion to Lay
 the Whole Amendment
 on the Table
SHARP COLLOQUlES

Washington, March S.-Fornai discussion of the Porto Rcan tariff and civil govern ment bill began in the senate today and continued, uninterruptedy, for four hours and half. The principal speakers were MT. Foraker, republican of Ohio, in charge of the measure, and MT. Pettus, democrat of Alabama. but at various times during the debate lively conoquys occurred in which other senators were participants
 Mir. Pettus spoke in opposition to the pending bill He argued that it was un- constitutional and in violation of the prin- ciples of this government, as laid down by the fathers of the country.
 MT. Foraker occupied the flood during the remainder of the session. He explained the measure in detail. In his opinion it was impossible for direct tax to be levied upon the people of the island to support iocai government, because of their present desti- ute condition. Then, too, 1t was necessary that the question of the extension of the constitution over our insular possessions should be determined by the supreme court and by the very provisions of the bill, 1t would be inevitable that the supreme court should pass upon that question. Porto Rico and the Philippines, he said, were on the same basis, so that the courts decision would determine our right to levy tarin on products of the eastern archipelago. A concurrent resolution offered by Mr. Culberson, of Texas, directing the secretary of war to report survey and an estimate of cost for improving the main ship chan mel in Sabine Pass, Texas was adopted
 P.ttts id. ressed the sentte
 After tMr Mason, of Illinois, had ended his motion to discharge the committee on for- eign relations from further consideration or his resolution expressing sympathy Tor the ,Boers and 1t had gone over until tomorrow under the rules, MT Pettus addressed the senate He congratulated the president on the position he had taken in his last annual message favofing free trade between the United States and Porto Rico
 "No sordid politicians fingers had been put into the ink of that message, he sald. "The president was honest and sincere when he distinctly advised free trade De- tween the United States and the island or Porto Rico.
 ..The public press Is now trying to make us believe that the secretary Of war IS fine author of the pending '5il and that fine president has acceded to the provisions of the measure. For one, l refuse to be- leve this charge against the president Though ne may desire reelection, he was a brave soldier and is an able and generous man. He has acted for the common good of all the peop.e If he approves your bill. tIlen I may believe any vile story against any good man."
 Mr Pettus mafnt tained that the podcy of the Gbill was bad, aside from the questions of law "It is Illegal" he declared, and is hardly decent"
 It violated the constitution. which de- cInred that all duties should be uniform throughout the United States He also called at ttention to the amendment pro- posed 'oy Mr Davls who he said was nest interesting specimen of the products of inventive genius.
 Constitution In Instalments
 'The senator proposes" sadd MT. Pettus. ito send over to the Porto Ricans the con- stitusion in installments-a little now, and a little then.''
 MT. Morgan gave notice of his intention to move to lay the entire substitute of the senate committee of the house bill on the table.
 MT. Foraker of Ohio, dn charge of the. pending bill followed. He said 1t seemed that the idea was abroad that the act pro- posed to deal illiberally with the people of Porto Rico. Instead of being Miiberal,'' said Mr. F'0rak6C, the measure IS the most iberad and generous legislation ever proposed flor a territory of the United States"
 So far as he had i3een informed, no in- telEgent and appreciative man in Porto Rico had dissented from the propositions of the measure.
 MT. Lindsay of Kentucky inquired if Governor General Davis himself had not recommended free trade with Porto Rico.
 "Yes," replied MT. Foraker, 'ihe did make such a recommenda ton. But the commit tee, after full consideration, decided against his proposition. Tue tariff provision was conceived in mercy to the Porto Ricans, and dn its generosity it is without prece- dent in the territorial legislation of the United States
 MT Foraker explained the provisions of tire bill, showing tha's all the internal rev. enue taxes and the customs duties would go into the treasury of the dsland and be solely for the benefit of the Porto Ricans. In round figures these revenues would ag- gregate s2.OO00OO After all means of rais- ing revenues had been considered 1t was found necessary to provide at least si000,- 600 more per annum. Then 1t was proposed to levy a duty of 9 per cent. of the Ding ley law on products of the island imported
 Continued on Sixth Page.)