The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-30
REPUBLICAN SENATE CAUCUS ON THE
PORTO RIGAN BILLS.
THE DIFFERENCES TOO GREAT
To be Settled by Compromises-SeveraI
still Determined on Free
Trade for the Island-SeveraI Prom
ositions Made, but Nothing Settled.
No Attempt to be Made to Separate
the Two Ne lsures To Press for Vote
on the .i.II a. 1t stands.

Washington, March 26.-The repub-
lican members of the senate spent two
n a half hours in caucus today in
an effort to reach an agreement upon
the Porto Rican legislation bill now
pending in the senate Apparently,
however, all hat was accomplished
was a decision to proceed with the
general bill as it now stands, without
separating the tariff feature, and to
discharge the harmony committee
from further efforts.
About twenty speeches were made.
While all the senators expressed a de-
sire to reach an amicable understand
ing, there was but little or no DISPOSE
ton manifested to yield a point which
would produce that result.
Senator Allison, as chairman of the
caucus, declared at the close of the
meeting that there was no necessity
Tor putting a motion to continue on
past lines, as it was very evident that
no other course was practical.
nat Foraker was instructed to
press the Porto Rico bill as it now
standS-the governmental bill incor-
porated with the tariff meaSure-to as
speedy a vote as possible. The under
standing at the time this instruction
was given was that Senator Foraker
would offer an mendme to the tar
if feature of the bill, adding the free
list named by the president in an ex-
ecutiye order to the exports going from
the United States to Porto Rico duty
free, but that the Is per cent. of the
Dingley law carried in the house bill
upon goods coming from Porto Rico to
the United States would be retained.
Through a viva Voce vote it was ev-
ldent that a substantial majority ap-
proved the proposition.
A number of senator's will oppose
the bill even with the mendmen
recommended. They are, it is stated,
Senators Davis, Beveridge, Hoar, We'll
lington, Mason, Simon, Proctor and
Wilson.
1t is claimed that two or three votes
will be secured for the tariff measure
from the ranks of the opposition par
ties in the senat and that in this way
a majority will be secured. Senator
nave decided that the senate must act
as seems best under the circumstances
and the bill, if it passes, must AXE it's
chances in the house. Some members
OF the ways and means committee adj
vised this course today, at the same
time urging speedy action and this
view found expression in the caucus,
the statement being made that delay
was more dangerous than anything
else; that the country of Porto Rico
ought TO know soon what to expect.
Apparently there was no disposition
among the freStrade senators present
at the caucus to delay a vote upon
the bill though no agreement was
reached for an immediate vote.
Senator Gallinger offered a resolu-
ton. directing the separation Of the
house tariff bill from the senate gov
ernmental bill, and supported the res
OlutiOn with a speech. This % was
met by a counter resolution offered by
Senator Wellington, providing for the
passage of the civil bill
with a free trade provision instead of
the tariff provision of the house.
The discussion proceeded on the ba-
sis OF these two motions
Senator Davis read and explained at
length the amendment he introduced
in the senate today. He said there
was a feeling throughout the country
for free trade with Porto Rico, which
was not a mere ephemeral sentiment,
but was based upon a proper demand
for right and justice.
Senator Cullom spoke in a concilia-
tory manner, indicating a personal
leaning towards the free trade senti-
ment. but he advocated an agreement
should be reached upon some basis
which would present a solid front.
ed appeal for the enactment of a tariff
law, saying that only by this course
could the best traditions of the repub-
licdn party be maintained.
Both resolutions were ultimately
Withdrawn, Senator W~ellington'S be-
cause of the impossibility of passing it,
and Senator Gallinger's in view of the
determined opposition of the free
trade element.