The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-03-06
By SENATOR DAVIS
IL Asserts the Principle that the Coustitu-
Except by specific Act, and Will Not b..
supported by the Democrats-Republi-
cans Who Believe in Protection Are Also
Against It-Talk Of a Caucus.

numerous and interesting. following. a
they did, the emphatically hostile utter
ahce OF the hitherto recognized organ o
the President, Editor Kohlsaat's Chicag,
Ilmes-HeTald, and the equally significan
criticism Of ex-President Harrison upor
the action OF the House. The Kohlsaa
edltoria! was eagerly seized upon BY tn,
opponents OF the measure. and when tn,
Gay came to close, some breaks were re-
ported IN the Republican lines. Ii doe.
not yet appear. however. that the Demo.
crdtS VIII be successful In defeating the
Dill The Senate contains fifty-twO Re.
puohcans, including Senator Bard. of Cal
lfornia, who was sworn in yesterday. and
Senator Kyle, OF South Dakota. who Is
now regular attendant at the Republi-
can caucuses. This is a clear majority OF
seventeen over all opposition. counting
with the latter Teller. Stewart. Jones. OF
Nevada, Pettigrew, and all the Populists
and Democrats. Consequently. nine Re.
publican Senators must go over to the
minority TO insure the defeat of the tariff
bill.
Republicans Against the Measure.
Up to the hour OF adjournment last
night only three were known positively to
have determined 10 vote in the negative.
These were:
H0AR, Of Massachusetts,
MASON OF Illinois
WELLINGTON. OF Maryland
Senator Hoar is opposed to the tariff on
constitutional grounds, Senator Mason
also believes that the Constitution fol-
lows the flag, and Senator Wellington is in
opposition on general principles. To off
sci
that the same number Of Democrats would
probably vote for the bill, as follows:
CAFFERY. of louisiana
McENERY. Of Louisiana
McLAURIN. Of South Carolina
If the two Louisiana Senators vote for
the tariff they will simply follow the step
taken by their colleagues in the House.
and viii be Influenced by the necessity of
protecting the sugar planters of ;heir
State against the cheap labor OF Porto
Rico.
Out of the 1874 Republicans in the House.
only seven finally voted against the bill.
II the bill Is defeated i'm the Senate
through Republican detection at least
nine Republican Senators out of fifty-
two must vote against the majority of
their party, a very large proportion as
compared with the Insurgents" in the
House, and number Which would have
TO be increased if any Democrats voted
for the measure.
Senator Davis Anne ndment.
These figures are important in view of
the amendment which Senator Davis, of
Minnesota, the chairman of the Com
mlttee on Foreign Relations, intro
duced yesterday. It was presented
TO the Senate early in the day.
and was without doubt. a surprise to the
Republican side. 1t was at first heraldad
as free trade amendment. and such il is.
but not Of the character of the free trade
introduced by various Demo-
cratic Senators. 1t proposes to extend over
the Island of Porto Rico certain proVis-
ions of the Constitution. including the one
which prohibits all tariffs between the
States. In framing and Offering the
Senator Davis acted for him
self alone. 1t speaks for itself, as he said
afterward, and represents his convictions.
1t seems 10 me-" he remarked. that IL
solves the present problem by giving free
trade to Porto Rico, and yet, at the same
time, asserting the princip!e-that the Con-
can only Be extended 10 Porto
Rico by specific act of Congress"
Were it not for the fact that il does as
sert this principle, Senator Davis amend
ment would be an important factor in the
Senate situation for its adoption mighr
ind a dozen Republican Senator'S includ-
ing Senators Davis and Nelson, to vote
tor ii, and these, with the Democrats and
Populists, would afford the necessary ma
jority.
Democrats Cannot support It.
The Democrats, however; cannot vote
Tor it without abandoning the princiUIe
Tor which they now contend. that the
and the flag have already
gone hand-in-hand 10 Porto Rico. Senator
Bacon, Of Georgia, speaking for himself
Yesterday, said that while he favored free
rade with Porto Rico, he could not as
Democrat, vote for Mr. Davis amend
nent, and other Democrats expressed the
'ame view. Consequently, Mr. Davis can
lot secure the adoption Of his proposition
MESS he receives the practically united
support OF the Republican side. and there
Ire enough Republicans welded 10 the
ystem or protection 10 prevent this unan-
nous action Some Republicans. Ike sen
tor Harsbrough. Of North Dakota will
'ote for the Davis amendment. bur II q
deIeated, Will vote for the'tariff pronos-
q IN the bill, and it would nor be sJIrnris
hg IL senator Davis were eventuajIV n
'e :, ii,h, iouho ~ thls Hst. i am still a Re
'uDilcan, said Mr.. Davis YESTERDAY
Senator Elkins has an smendyn.,,
shlch ne viii of1er soon. proposing r.
cave the question Of d taTin with H.
resident who has present control of ~
lbJecI under military administrator
III. Elklns believes this would be- = ne
elton. as 1t wOUld continue the svsta,.
oW IN force and would postpone ne ~ rs
Ire matter until after the cannafe'n r, ~ -
ute certain that other Senator's will yr. {
,-nt Ent othfr solutions OF Jhe problem Al.
hougn II j. interesting 10 mote tb., -
0 the present time no Republican ~ ~
ered an out-dnd-Out free trade an,aT5 4
nent All suggestions OF this cberso,I-
ave endnated from the Democratic siSe /
tact which renders Republican s1nno-t .
u 'Heil an the more difficult 10 obtain
Foraker VIII Press the Bill.
II was stated yesterday that fbe Pc (
uoiicaa Senators would undoubtAdI,, 80 ,
caucus before The bill came 10 a e,,sI 4
ote. The time for holding tba -
a. not been fXed. nor is any bss,e -.
essaFy. as the Porto Rican biII sill -.
etore the Senate for at least four o- g.
eeks- During that time maay cb.,a.-
lay occur, and predictions we're freeI,
ace yesterday that the tariff ouestIo,,
ould never be brought before the SEN
1r vote. At present. however Z, -
re intention OF senator Foraker ia
AaFge OF the measure 10 press "a
o'e. without material amsndnsn, a
.Tln section In the Senate bfl. whicb g.
Tactically the same as the cne sdor..S
= the House ''s'4
Mr. Foraker yesterday afternoon os,,s
ot!ee Of an amendment imposing d1,y
cents a pourd upon coffee chIeoTy
lots, and chicory imported into per,s T
leo. and 10 prevent the importafion s.as,S -
ortO EicO 10 the United States 81 oc,II'
r products not actEaily Of Porto T,Jra.,
1gln- Ar. FOraker's idea In oese-4sa.
liz amendment Is 10 see whether fha
cnccrats are sincere IN their noe
cns Of sympathy for the Porto pies~e
Ny amendmrII,' Re said, sgiiI a1orf
ZEN an opportunity Of protecting ~
orto Eicans. who raise the finest cce-a.
the world, from c0moet.;ion WITH ~
ST OF the world by having coffee of toy-
grade dumped into the lsiand ana ne, 1
.irI.ea ah-uan z. tha n.Dt--LLr-. - -. 1