Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-24
56th CONGRESS
CONTINUED from page -

.
protection against the little island in
the caribbean sea-"
After waiting an instant, Tillman
said, "Of course there is a dense silence
in the chamber, as a response to my
inquiry. The senator from Ohio (For-
aker), too. is doubtful as to his posi-
ton. I'd like to know if he is in favor
of free trade with Puerto Rico.
Foraker replied that his position had
been set forth fully in the report on the
Puerto Rican government bill. The
committee, he said, in investigating the
subject became convinced that the peo-
pie of Puerto Rico could not stand di-
rect taxation.
This slight and not burdensome
tax" said Foraker, was determined
upon by the committee as a generous
and merciful means of alternating the
suffering of the people of Puerto Rico"
Tillman replied that he had not read
the report written by Foraker, because
he had not had time to follow the vag-
aries of a committee which changed its
mind every week.
Has the senator from Ohio changed
his mind?" he asked.
Foraker-"The senator has right to
disbelieve any statement | may make"
Tillman disavowed any intention Of
rejecting upon Foraker's vlracity, but
replied, in connection with an editorial
in the Chicago Times Herald: The
senator, | think, got out of the free
trade boat as soon as kohlsaat, tha
editor of the Times Hcrald) got into
it,"
Foraker-"I will say that have been
much more comfortable in my position
since l learned that Mr.. KOhlsaat had
declared for free trade" Gaughter).
Continuing, Tillman said: Il believe
that Mckinley is one of the most low
able men in public life, but the trouble
with him is that sometimes he has not
the backbone to stand up against his
party friends. What he ought to have
done was to stand by his message and
let you go ahead and fight this question
out among yourselves"
Disclaiming any authority to sneak for
the President. Perkins, Cal. said that the
belief that the sugar trust has acquired
the greater part of the sugar product OF
Puerto Rico and his desire to build IN
Ihe Deet sugar industry in the United
states had induced the President. he
uerk1nsD believed, to favor a tariff if r.
were true that he did favor it. Perkins
thought Tillman ought to Join the rest of
the American people in rejoicing over the
prosperity which had come as a result OF
PRESIDENT Mckinley's bencficent admins
tration.
Tillman declared that Mckinley and
the republican policies had nothing to do
win the prosperity the country was en-
1oylng. 1t had begun 10 years ago ana
IL was in cOnsonance with the methods
OF the Republican party to claim the
credit for 1t.
Gallinger, n. H., who is member Of
the committee on Pacific islands and
Puerto Rico. said in that committee there
had been but one thought and that was
to provide that which would be best for
habitauts.
Destitute and suffering as those people
are, said Gallnger. we ought to pass
this bill promptly and not deal in such
p9litical diatribes as we have been treat
ed to here"
GaIlinger pointed out that four-ffths
Of the products exported from Puerto
Rico consisted of coffee. On this the
United States placed no tariff while
Spain formerly levied duty upon coffee
as well as upon some other Puerto Rican
products.
I'VE are proposing to treat Puerto Rico
better than we treat any territory Of the
United States. We collect internal rev
enue taxes in Oklahoma. Indian Terri
tory and Arizona. and every dollar Of il
goes into the United States treasury. Ne
shall collect internal revenue taxes in
Puerto Rico, too. but every dollar so col
cans and be used for their benefit.
Preference has been made here to Ger
tain political cXigencics which are said to
control the action of the Republican
the slightest effect upon me. have act
ed throughout for the best interests Of
the people. The senator from South
Carolina facetiously refers To thctroublcs
which will ovcrwhclm us, next Novem-
Der. That has d familiar sound. The
Democrats in my state always carry tho
election March DtIt IL Nh
vemhcr. 50 it is with the senator"
Gallinser declared that the legislation
pending in the interest Of the Puerto Ri
cans was right and Just ard generous.
and he was satisfied that on sober second
thought the people who We're now oppoS-
ing 1t would heartily approve of it. lie
trusts controlled the Republican admin
istration. We heard that when Hawaii
was annexed and free entry to our pOrjS
was given Hawaiian sugar Now it Is
again raised when We propose to place ,
small duty upon the products Of Puerto
Rico for the benefit Of the Puerto Iicans
themselves.
The trust which is suffering" con
tinucd GallinEcr. the trust which ~
are expressing by this legislation is com
posed Of some gentlemen AT the Airing
ton Hotel in this city. 4 trust headed ~
the British vice consul at san Juan.
That trust is suffering considerably.
These gentlemen bought up the sugar I'M
der the full Dinghy rates ana If they
cannot get it into this country free Of
duty. they Will make the fun 100 per cent.
of the tariff. hut If we succeed in putting
a tariff duty of 10 per cent. of the Ding
ley rate on that sugar. the trusts profits
will be cut down by that much ana the
people Of Puerto Rico will benefit to thu
extent"
In the course of the debate Tii,man
said: "NVc had some darcs here. ycStcr-
day, but the bob-;alcd flush Of my friend
from Ohio tFuGakcrD did not 90 through
daughter).
Gallnger-"Now. | admit the senator
has the advantage Of me. lie is talking
about things ! 10 not know anything
about" daughter.
Of political speeches on a measure like
the manner in which Tillman had char
acterizcd the work Of the Republican sen
ators. he and Tillman became involved in
a controversy over the terms used by the
South Carolina senator which developed
consiipra bic heat. The discussion finally
developed some remarks that Tillman had
made a few weeks ago. in which he iustt
fed ballot box Stufiing and the employ
ment OF the shotgun policy against the
negroes of the South. We did all these
things" declared Tillman. and have no
apology to make for it here Or anywhere
else"
In reply Spooner said he had never Vet
been able to find any justification for the
murder of negroes in the South or for
trampling upon their rights as American
citizens.
In view Of these statements Of the
senator" Spoorer declared. II am tired
of hearing all this prattle from senators