The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-03-08
HE HAS NOT CHANGED
President Still Believes Porto Rico
Entitled to Free Trade.

Washington, March THE Post
says: President Mckinley, in CONVEX
sation with callers at the white house
Tuesday, reiterated his belief that the
people of Porto Rico were entitled to
free trade with the United States. He
made it clear that his views had UNI
dergone no change since he wrote his
message to congress. He still adhered
to the sentiment therein expressed.
At the same time he said he was un-
able to subscribe to the theory that
the constitution followed the flag;
that the Porto Ricans must have free
trade as a necessary legal right.
When he found that the house deemed
it the part of wisdom, the president
explained, to impose small tariff up
on condition that the revenues so col
lected all be returned to the island,
he had been constrained to yield to
the judgment of the house. The tar
if, under such conditions, would be
no hardship to the Porto Ricans.
Moreover, he believed it advisable, at
the earliest moment, to secure de-
cision of the supreme court on the
constitutional question involved.
Therefore, he had given his consent to
the nominal tariff, and agreed to sign
such bill. He left no doubt in the
minds of his callers-whom he ques-
toned closely regarding the drift of
public sentiment-that congress, not
the executive, was responsible for
the change of policy.
Senate.
Washington, March mot prob
ably in the history of the senate was
there ever shown so little real interest
in the final vote on a great measure
as was manifest Tuesday in the vote
on the conference report of the finan-
cial bill. The report was before the
senate for nearly two weeks, yet only
four speeches were delivered upon it,
including Senator Aldrich's explana-
ton of the changes made in the SEN
ate bill by the conferees. Tuesday dis
cussion ceased on the bill Is minutes
before the time fixed for the vote, and
the senate actually began the consid-
GRAFTON of minor bills on the calendar
to consume time. The conference re-
port was agreed to by vote of "A to
&c, the report thus having majority
of Is. Early in the session discus
sion of the Quay case was resumed by
Senator Simon, who replied to the
speech made Monday by Senator Car
fer (Mont.),
House,
Washington, March THE house |
spent the entire day in consideration |
of the Aldrich- Robbins contested |
election case from the Fourth Ala
bama district. Mr.. Robbins, the sit
ting member, made speech of an
hour in his own behalf. The other
speakers were Mr.. Burkett (Neb.) in |
behalf of the contestant, and Messrs. !
Glenn IN, " and De Almond MOI |
for the contestee.
Favorable Report Ordered.
Washington, March THE senate !
committee on naval affairs Tuesday |
ordered favorable report upon the |
bill to construct cable to Manila by |
way of Honolulu. Midway islands and |
Guam. 1t is to be under the direction |
Of the navy department and to be a
government cable.
Senator Hale, cchsairman of the com. |
mittee, was authorized to prepare
bill and report it to the senate. The /
bill will provide for immediate con-
struction of the cable only from San |
Francisco to Honolulu, but it contem-
plates the ultimate extension of the |
cable to the Philippines, and also to
Hong Kong. 1t is estimated that the
cable to Honolulu win cost between
s3.0oo,oo0 and 81, 1000, 900.
House Committee Acts.
Washington, March THE house
committee on commerce Tuesday or
dered favorable report on the bill for
a Pacific cable connecting this coun- |
try with Hawaii, the Philippines and |
Japan. The measure has been under |
consideration for dong time and two |
sessions were held Tuesday in order |
to bring the matter to a conclusion. |
The bill OF Representative Sherman, of |
New York, is the one fayorably acted !
on. with number of amendments. |
This bill provides for private construc-
ton of the line, the government pay
ing $500, 900 annually for 20 years for
the transmission of messages.
! The amount of this annual payment
was the last question decided. The
original provision was $4,000, but
after extended discussion the reduc
ton to $500, 600 was made. The COM
mittee had previously inserted clause
that the cable be of American make
and the cable ships shall be under the
American flag. Another provision
calls for the completion of the line to
Honolulu by January 1, 1902, and TO
Japan by January, 1908. 1t was orig
inally estimated that the cost of the
cable would be $4,000, 900, but recent
estimates submitted to the committee
show that the rise in prices of material
will make the cost about $13,000,000.
The governments obligation, however,
is confined to the annual payment of
S3Oo, 900.
Pauncefc.e to Remain.
Washington, March Ton Tuesday
Lord Pagneefote received cablegram
from Lord Salisbury notifying him
that he would be continued at this
important diplomatic post for the
present, at least. Reference was made