The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-19
POLITICS IN HOUSE DEBATE.
ANIMATED SCENE BETWEEN WILL
LIANIS AND GROSVENoR.


GrOsvenOr DOdged the Issue and |
Williams Charged DfscOurtesy.
Futile Effort to Defeat $5O0,00O Ma
val Contingent Fund.
Washington, April 1S.-The debate on
the naval appropriation bill under the |
five-minute rule to-day drifted into poll |
tics, and for a good portion of the at
ternoon members fought hammer and
tongs across the political aisle.
The partisan rancor almost eliminated
in a sensational scene between Mr.. Gros-
venor of Ohio, the champion of the ad-
ministraton, and Mr.. Williams of Missis-
sippi.
Some of the Democrats began worrying
Mr.. Hawley of Texas by pointedly ask
ing if the President had not changed his
mind on the Porto Rican tariff question,
and Mr.. Grosvenor finally threw himself
into the breach. Mr.. Williams made an
interruption that drew sharp reioinder
from the Ohioan about the unfair" ad-
vantage taken by the Mississippian. This
aroused the wrath of the latter. and after
Mr.. Grosvenor had concluded, he made
a stnging response, in which he said par
liamentary language would not permit
him to properly characterize Mr. Gros-
venor's offense. Later Mr.. Grosvenor
dlsclaimed intentional affront, and there
the matter ended
Some progress was made with the bill,
bat most of the controverted points went
over motion to strike from the bill
the contingent fund Of $500 600 for the navy
department was defeated. A point of or
der against the appropriation Of S350,0O0
for the new naval academy a I Annapo-
lis was pending when the House adjourn
ed.
Mr.. Kitchin of North Carolina mem
ber of the Naval Committee, made point
of order against the provision in the bill
appropriating $500, 900 to be expended un-
der the direction of the President 90 meet
unforeseen contingencies. The point was
overruled by the Chair and Mr. Kitchin
appealed. The Chair was sustained, "a
to 10.
Mr.. Kitchin then moved to strike the
appropriation from the bill Mr.. Wheeler
of Kentucky supported the motion.
Mr. Foss read from the hearing given
by the committee to Secretary Long de-
falling the necessity for this emergency
appropriation. Mr. Foss thought present
| circumstances warranted 1t.
williams and GrOsvenor spar.
Mr.. Williams asked Mr.. Grosyenor, who
had Joined in the debate, if 1t was not
true that the President had changed his
mind on the Porto Rican question.
There was considerable confusion, Mr..
Wheeler taking a hand in trying TO force
the Ohioan. At last Mr.. Grosvenor made
an arusion to Mr.. Williams method of
| interrupting him, which the latter re-
sented with an emphasis that portended
! Il personal quarrel on the floor, but Mr..
williams finally allowed Mr.. Grosvenor
| to proceed. reserving his reply until the
| Ohioan had finished.
Does the gentleman deny that the
| President has changed his mind?" asked
| Mr. kitchin, Democrat of North Carolina,
addressing Mr.. Grosvenor.
! "As soon as 1t became manifest 90 the
| President that money had to be raised
in some way and that the Ways and
| Means Committee of this House had
| brought in q tariff bill providing for Is
| per cent. or % per cent" replied Mr.
| Grosvenor "the President recognized the
| right and power of This House TO orig
mate that tariff bill. But ! call the gem
| tleman's attention to the fact that in
| the message of the President he gave no
! sign or indico lion of when he desired that
| that free trade measure should go into
| effect. We, by our vote, put 1t so that.
| within the next sixty days, ninety days.
four months any time after the organiza-
| ton of the civil government, the people
Of Porto Rico can have free trade. The
President has signed 1t and thereby given
his approval to it,"
Did He Change His Ninds
"The gentleman says the President bows
| to the will Of Congress" interposed Mr.
| Wheeler In the debate on the Po, u
Rican question, when the gentleman APP
| pealed to his colleagues to support the
pending bill, he charged ii to be true that
the President Of the United States was
then in accord with him"
| Mr.. GrosvenOr: II say so now"
Mr. Wheeler: He changed his opinion
MIR Grosvenor: II say he did not change
his opinion in any material respect, he
| simply changed from the original icea Of
free trade 10 what was almost the condi-
| tion of free trade that we appended to
the measure. The country understands It,
| Congressman after Congressman who
| stood here in defense of the bill has been
| sent back here with.a unanimity almost
! unparalleled. The Republican party will
not lose any votes in the coming election
| because of its action on the Porto RIcan
| bill. We are not holding back by the coat
| tails of the world and hollering Whoa
| Q4aughter) We have got something
| 10 show for our opinions. Wit
ness the splendid organlzat tions of the
| government of the Hawaiian terri
| tory. Look at the liberal generous
| Christian laws that we have bestowed
| upon the people of Porto Rico. Look at
| the fact that but Tor the intervention OF
a few men on this side of the water We
| should have extended the same benefits
of the constitution, the same liberality OF
American citizenship I'm embryo, at least,
| TO the people of the Philippine Islands.
| But we would not consent that millions
| and millions of Malays and all those peo-
pie might come over here and march into
| our labor markets, and we WAL make 1t
warm for you before the campaign Is
| over. daughter and applause on the Re
| publican side) In due time, under the
wisdom Of the Republican party, and un-
| der the blessings OF God we will send lib
erty and equal rights as rapidly as they
| can comprehend them, 70 the people OF
Porto Rico and 10 the people of the Phil
| ippine Islands applause on the Repub-
| llcan slde)
Mr.. Williams Reply.
When Mr.. Grosvenor took his seat Mr..
Williams demanded an opportunity 10 re-
| ply. and time was accorded him.
Mr.. Chairman" said he, speaking with
| dellbcrauon, "as n man grows old, he
learns something. I have learned some
| sHt.s. t..l.n xufiI uavap un4fu tuhffa