New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-04
PRICE THREE CENTS.
GRAVE PROBLEM SOLVED
PUERTO RICAN BILL PASSED
BY THE SENATE.
THE FINAL VOTE WAS 40 TO 81, WITH
SIX REPUBLICANS RECORDED IN
THE NEGATIvE-FREE TRADE
AMENDMENTS DEFEATED
lBY rEI.EGnArH TO THE rn1BUxE. ]

Washington. April 3-The Senate accomplished
to-day with singular facility and completeness
one of the most exacting Legislative tasks
for IT in recent Congresses Receiving from the
House of Representatives a measure which
sought TO discharge only in part the obligation
laid on Congress by the Treaty Of Paris to de-
teruine the civil and political status OF the
Inhabitants OF the insular dependencies ceded
to this country by Spain. the Senate. through
stress OF circumstances was forced 10 meet and
solve not only the single problem Of providing a
revenue system for these new possessions. but 20
unravel the whole tangle Of questions raised by
the erection OF a territorial form Of government
for these, as II We're. unclass.hed and undomes-
ucate island possessions
Hanpered at the outset BY radical and threat
ening differences Of opinion within the party.
the Republican majority in the upper house has
struggled for more than month TO frame and
pass bill which. while initiating a scheme of
revenue and local self government in Puerto
Rico, would al the same time announce and per-
petuate certain political distinctions which II is
TO this countrys manifest interest 70 observe In
legislating for its newest insular dependencies.
The Foraker bill. passed by the Senate this
afternoon by vote Of 40 10 81. is the fruit OF
this five weeks effort TO lay a foundation for
government both in Puerto Rico and in the
Philippines. and to define in a broad and prac-
teal way the political and civil status OF the tn
habitants Of these islands Taken in it's en-
tirety. the Senate bill offers liberal and COM
prehensive solution OF the problem set the two
houses by the Paris Treaty. and its easy trf-
urnph to-day, in the face Of repeated predictions
OF disaster. emphasizes the sagacity and good
Judgment Of the majority leaders who through
many discouragements have Iabored TO carry
the economical and constitutional principles IL
embodies into practical effect
pOpTvAP Cprv1Crc1r ,>-rv
The Senate's expansion OF the House Revenue
| bill into a general measure OF government for
Puerto Rico has answered. In fact all the objec-
tions raised by popular clamor 10 the narrower
taxing bill BY its provisions the tariff duties
levied Puerto Rican products entering this
country are TO fall as soon as a preferable
method Of taxation can be devised by the Puerto
Ricans themselves. The necessity OF imposing
internal revenue taxes population wholly
unsuited TO this form of impOst is wisely avoided
The island starts on it's new economic career
with temporary tariff taxes which allow it's
products an advantage OF So per cent compared
with those Of its West Indian neighbors4
Finally. that liberal measure OF home rule for
which the Puerto Ricans far more eager
than they are for additional commercial conces-
sions is granted in the scheme OF administration
carried in the new Senate measure. Framed on
such practical sensible and generous lines II Is
no wonder that the threatened Republican revolt
against the bill sinmered down in the Senate TO
a protest from group OF Senators committed 70
immediate free trade. and that among it's sup
porters on the final rollcaH were found one OF
more representatives OF every political organi-
| zation represented the Senate's roll
ANALYSIS OF THE VOTE
The vote on the final passage OF the bin was
10 TO 31-a majority as large as any conserva-
tive friend OF the measure had counted on OF
the forty affirmative votes thirty-eight cast
by Republicans. The other two came from Sen
ators Stewart and Jones. OF Nevada Senator
Teller. OF Colorado had been counted on to sup
port the bill. but after voting against the Davis
and Nelson free trade amendments he voted mo-
on the final rullcaIL Mr., McEnery. OF louisiana
who was absent paired IN favor OF the bill
with Mr. HOar. who opposed il Six other Re-
pubHcans-Messrs. Davis and Nelson OF Mime
sofa; Mason, OF Illinois; Proctor OF Vermont:
Simon, or Oregon. and Wellington. OF Maryland
voted against the bin its passage and IN
Committee OF the Whole in favor OF the Davis
and Nelson free trade amendments. Mr. Bever-
idge, OF Indiana was paired in favor OF the bill
on the last roIlcaH He was left absent and un-
paired on the Davis and Nelson amendments
because there was no one with whom Mr. Clark
OF Montana. could make a transfer on these pre-
liminary divisions The Davis amendment was
beaten by vote or 50 70 ~. because Mr.. Teller
Joined the Republicans on this issue The SINH
lar amendment offered by Mr.. Nelson was de-
feated by % TO II. on this division Mr. Daniel
OF Virginia sided with the majority. As IL
turned out, the bin would have passed by a ma
jority OF three votes had the Republicans lost
the support OF the two Nevada Senators and Mr..
McEnery.
PRAISE FOR REPUBLICAN LEADERS
II would be invidious 20 single out the Re-
publican leaders 10 whom credit should be gtyer,
for the successful fight made in the Senate IN
frame and pass a rational scheme OF taxation
and government for Puerto Rico. An admirable
spirit of control and mediation dominated Re-
publican councils from the beginning and e.
fectually broke the force OF the captious opuo-
sition made by critics of the House scheme OF
taxation The so-called Harmony Committee
Of which Senator Foraker was chairman IN
doUbtedly pointed the way 20 the conorounlse
which eventually attracted the Republican SUP
port necessary 10 secure the passage OF the bill
legislative manager much Of the success OF the
Republican campaign was clearly due he
cleverly conciliaJed antagOnisms and allayed
/ criticisms without really Welding IN
sentials and his leadership both on the floor
and in the Harmony Committee was brilliantly
consistent and effective. Rarely has a Senator
/ in mis- second Congress been chosen 20 direct 50
diihculJ and prolonged a fight and no Senator
accepting responsibility OF leadership under
such circumstances could have won a more con-
spicuous success.
THE CLOSING DEBATE
The speeches which preceded the votes today
were by Senators Mason. Culberson. Clay Tel
Ter. Bacon. Wellington and Lindsay in opposi-
tiOn 10 the bill. and Foraker. Ross. Stewart and
/ Ciallinger IN support OF IL When Senator Ma