Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-17
PORTO RICAN RELIEF BILL
Continued from Page I.

Continued from Page I.
Prom and after the passage OF this
act no duty shall be collected on ar
ticles coming into Porto Rico from
other parts of the United States, or on
goods coming from Porto Rico into
other parts of the. United States"
Mr.. Pettus (Alabama) declared his
opposition to the bill. holding such ap-
preparations were dangerous as prece-
dents, and they ought to be abandoned.
Replying to an inquiry from Mr.. VOL
colt, Mr. Pettus denied that the APP
preparations made for the relief or the
Mississippi river sufferers at various
times were in terms more liberal than
the present measure. The former had
been specified appropriations for spe-
cific purpose.
MIR. TILLNIAN'S POSITION.
Mr.. 1Nillman said there was evidently
so much division among the Republic
cans that it appeared doubtful 10 him
whether they would be able TO enact
any Porto Isican legislation ut all. lie
said it looked as IL the Republican
party had reached the end OF the rope,
and that its last hope now was TO con-
tend that Congress was without limita-
tions in government of. or in legislat-
ing for, acquired territory.
Referring 10 the difference between
the governments treatment of Hawaii
and Porto Rico. as TO the admission of
their respective products, Mr. Tillman
said: Senators owed 1t to themselves
not to show such discrimination on the
one hand and such outrage on the
other"
lie was going to vote for the pending
bill, he said. because the enactment of
the measure into law was the only way
to restore to the people of Porto Rico
taxes taken from them wrongfully and
unconstitutionally.
The United States has not given the
people of Porto Rico "a cent and it is
high time" said he. that we give back
to them the money we have stolen from
them"
Mr.. Tillman declared that the govern
ment established now in Porto Rico
was worse than that forced upon the
people by Spain. particularly as to the
Islands fiscal affairs. as, under Spanish
rule. the Porto Ricans had at least a
free market in Spain for their goods.
This assertion Mr.. Gallnger disputed,
calling Mr.. Tillman's attention to the
fact that Spain levied a duty upon
Porto Rican products. especially coffee,
which constituted four-fifths of the ex-
port product of the island.
ADJUSTMENT CERTAIN.
Mr.. Tillman read extracts from Gen.
Davis report, stopping in the midst
of the reading to exclaim: Lets cast
this legislation like honest white men;
lets not have any mandy pambyiSm
and hypocritcal philanthropy about 1t.
That is all am trying TO get Senators
to agree to now. There will be no
trouble about the main question. That
Will either be adjusted by Congress be-
fore adjournment. or it will be adjusted
by the people next November, and don't
you forget it,
He thought the way to help the peo-
pie of Porto Rico to get on their feet
was to give them q market through the
means Of free trade with the United
States. IL 4 public souphouse was
started, men who might earn their liv-
Ing with hoe or an axe would sit
down and wait for the soup 10 be hand
cd around. The result would be to cut
off the very labor necessary to re-
habilitate the island as 1t should be
rehabilltated.
a SENSELESS ROBBERY.
Mr.. Tillman favored civil govern
ment for the island and criticised the
expenditures under the present military
system as expensive. "rherc is no
sense no justice and no honesty" he
said, lin having those poor devils
robbed simply because they have come
under our dominion" He thought the
Republican party was in a dilemma.
but thought it would come out all
right. You are the best organized
party l ever saw" he said, land no
matter how YOU talk I've no doubt
you'll all round up on the vote"
| Mr.. Tillman referred to what he said
would be the monumental salaries of
| the officials of the insular possessions.
| particularly noting the members of the
| Philippine commission.
| MIR. Foraker informed Mr. Tillman
that he had been told that the highest
salary OF any member of the commits
sion would be $4,000 q year. THAT
may be disappointing to the SENATOR"
suggested Mr.. Foraker.
MKINLEY'S BAD PARTNERS.
NO" replied Mr.. Tllman. I'm
| gratified. I'm always willing to trust
William Mckinley, but it's his bad and
| wicked partners that I'm afraid Of
He is patriotic and noble man. al
| though just now he may be carried off
his feet by the dream of appearing in
| history alongside OF Jefferson and
| others who added largely to our ter
| ritory."
| In conclusion lie bcsought Congress
| to take its hands from the throat of the
| Porto Ricans and give them a chance
| to govern themselves. even if we had to
! guide them IL little at first.
Mr. Allison then asked for a. vote
| upon the bill and amendments, and the
| request was acceded to.
| Mr.. Tillman urged Mr.. Jones and Mr.
| PcttuS 10 withdraw amendments which
| they had offered in order that the
| measure might be passed without delay
and just as ii came from the Senate
! committee.
Mr.. Jones Withdrew his amendment
! but Mr.. Pettus insisted upon Il vote OH
| his amendments, which. in effect. were
| the making Of "a direct appropriation
for the relief of the Porto Ricans with
out any reference TO the tariff o, GUS
toms dues collected. The amendments
were defeated.
y,,ccr,n xx,Jr1Inr-n ,nr,,,crD>,