The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-19

committee OF this House had brought in a
tariff bill providing for a Is per cent. or 70
per cent. duty" replied Mr.. Grosvenor,
THE President recognized the right and
power OF this House 10 originate that tarin
bill Up TO the very last moment OF the
passage Of that Porto Rican bill gentle
men on the other side insisted that the
President was still in favor of free trade
in Porto Rico and newspapers from one
end OF this continent to the other claimed
that we on this side of the House would
be engaged I'm a contest with the President.
that the President never had changed his
mind. that he was still in favor of free
trade. But 1 call the gentleman's atten-
ton 10 the fact that In the message OF the
President he gave no sign or indication or
when he desired that that free trade meas
Ure should go into effect. We by our vote
Tut IL so that within the next sixty days,
pinety days, four months, any time after
the organization OF the civil government
the people of Porto Rico can have free
trade. The President signed 1t and thereby
has given his approval of it"
The gentleman says that the President
bows to the will of Congress-" interposed
Mr.. Wheeler. I'm the debate on the Porto
Rican bill when the gentleman appealed TO
his colleagues To support the pending bill
he charged It TO be true that the President
of the United States was then in accord
With him."
Mr. Grosvenor-I say so now.
Mr. Wheeler-He changed his opinion
DID NOT CHANGE HIS MIND.
Mr. Grosvenor. refusing to be interrupted.
continued: II say he did not change his
opinion in any material respect. he simply
changed from the original idea of free
trade to what was almost the condition of
free trade that we appended to the meas
IRE. The country understood it.; con-
gresham after congressman who stood
here in defense Of the bill has gone to his
constituents. just when the Democratic
noise was the loudest, and has been sent
back here with a unanimity almost un-
paralleled in the nomination of congress-
men. And the great body at Philadelphia,
the Manufacturers Association, on yester-
day approved of the Porto Rican bill, the
very body that a few weeks ago was
quoted on this floor as opposed to 1t lap
plause on the Republican sideI, and, from
one end of this country to the other, the
people of this country are taking care
of IL.
1.-The Republican party will not lose any
votes in the coming election because of
its action on the Porto Rican bill. We are
rot holding back by the coat tails of the
world and hollering. Laughter on Republic
an side.l We have got something to show
for cur opinions. Witness the splendid
organization of the government of Hawaii
an territory. Look at the liberal, generous,
christian laws that we have bestowed on
the people of Porto Rico. Look at the fact
that but for the Intervention of a few men
on this side of the water we should have
extended the same benefits of the Con-
stitutfon, the same liberty of American
citizensip In embryo, at least, to the people
Of the Philippine islands. But we would
not consent that you should drive US TO
admit that the people of Porto fLco and the
people of the Philippines were upon an
equal footing with the people oil the United
States. Applause on the Republican side.l
We would not consent that millions and
millions of Malays and all those people
might come over here and march into our
labor markets, and we will make IL warm
for you before the campaigns over. Laugh
ter and applause on the Republican side
You voted that the Constitution carried
equal citizenship to the Malays and the
Chinese of the Philippines. and that is your
position to-day. 1t is your complaint that
we would not let you do Ii. but IN due time,
under the wisdom OF the Republican party
and under the blessing of God, we will send
liberty and equal rights as rapidly as they
can comprehend them, to the people of
Porto Rico and to the people of the Phil
ippines- Applause on Republican side-]
MR.. WILLIAMS'S REPLY.
When Mr.. Grosvenor took his seat, Mr..
Williams demanded an opportunity to re-
ply, and time was accorded him. Mr..
Chairman" said he, speaking with DELHI
y(eration, las a man grows old, he learns
some things. i have learned something to-
day. will never again, while member of
the American Congress, undertake to ask a
question OF any member on this floor who
is not sufficiently well versed in the ordi-
nary courtesies of human intercourse to
be capable of returning at least a polite
reply TO a polite inquiry. Further than that
1t would be almost impossible for me, with
out breach OF parliamentary rule, TO ex-
press myself upon that particular subject
II asked the gentleman from Ohio a
question which he either could not or would
not answer, or. in his usual lawyer-like
politician style, desired to evade. That
question has not been answered yet The
gentleman said on this floor that the Presi-
dent OF the United States had not changed
his mind on the Porto Rican question. Re
member, / did not make the charge that he
maj Wna1 enarged was i that lie had f per
which, In my opinion, was not q thing of
which any man could at any time be
proud. But In charity to the President and
In charity to many of the members of the
House. asked the gentleman. when he de-
MED the President had changed his mind
ina. ,l ne permit me to ask a question; and
dent had not, In public message, an
nounced that he was In favor of free trade
between Porto Rico and the rest of the
United States, and also whether various
members OF this House had not risen, one
after another, TO say that the President
had told them in private conversation, sub
sequently, that he was, at the time of the
conversation, in favor of the bill which
passed the House. There was nothing rude
In that inquiry; there was nothing per
IN IL: there was nothing unprecedented in
It; there was nothing in il that could have
stirred up wrath in the breast of any man
except one who felt as II he had to break
up the convention In a row in order to keep
from arriving at election. That is all. %
Democratic applausel
Mr.. Grosvenor disclaimed any intention
OF affronting Mr.. Williams and there the
matter ended
Mr.. Kitchin's amendment was lost.
When the provision relating to the appro-
priation OF 100000 for ocean and lake sur
veys was reached Mr.. Moody, of Massachu-
sets, reserved point OF order against 1t
and, by arrangement. debate on the sec
tion went over until tomorrow.
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, made point of