The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-03-17

want ~ not onAF1ty uut JuaeAVes Az W.
feotly evident that the prostration OF
affairs on the island IL due 10 the high
taxes with which the people there are
sfiiscted."
Me-. Jones said be did 1t propose 10
vote for any measure of this kind without
definite Information. As the matter stood
he would. he said. prefer TO vote for the
House bill than Tor the one presented By
the committee. He inquired where the
money came from that Was being ex-
pended In Porto Rico now and had been
expended heretofore.
Mr.. Foraker replied that = large amount
had boon expended from the war smer-
gency fund and that some had been en-
pended from customs receipts. Remark
ing that he could not ascertain just what
the object Of the bill was. Mr.. Jones said
he would content himself by Offering the
following amendment:
"From and after the passage Of this
ACT no duty shall be collected on articles
coming into Porto Rioo from other parts
Of the United States or on goods coming
from Porto Rico into other parts Of the
United States"
Mr.. Pestus Of Alabama, declared his
opposition to the bill, holding such ap-
propriations were dangerous az prece-
dents.
MIR. Wolcott inquired II It were not true
that the appropriations made for the re-
lief of the Mississippi sufferers 1T various
times were not In terms more liberal
than the present measure.
Mr.. Tillman said there was evidently
so much discussion among the Republi-
cans that 1t appeared doubtful TO him
whether they would be able to enact any
Porto Rican legislation ct all II looked
as II the Republican party had reached
TIE END OF ITS ROPE
and that It's last hops now was to con-
tend that Congress was without limita-
tiops In the government OF. or In lesislat-
ing for acquired territory. Referring to
the difference between the governments
treatment of Hawaii and Porto Rico as
to the admission Of their respective
products, Mr.. TillmAn said:
"Senators owe It to themselves not TO
show such discrimination on the one hand
and such outrage on the other" He was
going to vote for the pending bill, he said,
because the enactment Of the measure
was the only way to restore to the people
OF Porto Rico taxes taken from them
wrongfully and unoonstitutionaliy.
"The United States has not given the
people OF Porto Rico cent, aud IL Ia
high time," he said. "thst we gave back
to them the money we have stolen from
them"
Nc TilIman declared that the govern
ment established now In Porto Rioo was
worss than that forced upon the people
by.Spain, particularly as to the Islands
ftcal affairs As under Spanish rule the
Porto Ricans ct least had free market
In Spain for their goods.
This assertion MIR. GAilingar disputed,
calling Mr.. Tillman's attention to the
fact that Spain levied cuty upon Porto
RioAn products, especially coffee, which
constituted four-afths OF the export
products Of the island.
Mr.. Tillman read extracts from Gen.
Davis report Hs thought the way to
help the people Of Porto Rico to get on
their feet was to give them q market
through the means Of free trade with the
United States. Mr.. Tillman favored q
OWL government for the island and oriti-
oised the expenditur es under the present
military system as expensive.
"Thsre is no sense, no justice and no
honesty" he said. "in having these poor
devils robbed; simply because they have
&C me under our dominion.
He thought the Republican party was
In o dilemma, but thought 1t would
come out all right. r
"You are the best organized party
ever saw" he said, "and no matter how
you talk I've no doubt you will all round
up on the VOTE"
Mr.. 1illman referred to what he said
would be the monumental salaries OF the
officials In the insular possessions. par.
ticularly noting the members OF the
Philippine DOM mission.
MIR. Foraker informed Mr.. Tillman
that he had been told that the highest
salary Of any member Of the commission
would be $40, 900 year. "Ttas may be
disappointing to the Senator" suggested
Mr.. Foraker.
"No," replied Mr.. Tillmau. "Im
xrati6ed. ana always willing to trust
William Mckinley, but it 10 his
BAD AND WICKED PARTNERS
that / am afraid of. He Is n patriotic and
noble man. although just now he may be
carried OF his feet by the dream OF
place In history alongside Of Jefferson
and others who added largely to our terri
tory"
In conclusion he asked Congress- to take
its hands from the throat OF this Porto
Ricans and give them chance to govern
themselves even If We had to guide them
little at frat.
At Mr.. Tillman's suggestion Mr.. Jones
withdrew his amendment In order to
facilitate a vote on the bill, but MIR. Pet
tus insisted upon 3 vote upon his amend
ments, which in effect we're the making