Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-19
TRADE WITH THE ISLES
House to Consider Tariff Feat
ure This Week.
PORTO RICAN BILL CONES UP.
Likely TO AGect Our Policy as Co other
Possessions Form of Government OF
Hawaii Will Bc Considered In the Sem
ate-May Discuss Other Islands.

WASHINGTON, Feb. l9.-The attention
Of the senate this week will be given
largely to the relations of the United
States to its insular possessions. The
bill providing form Of government for
the Hawaiian islands has right Of way,
and If 1t should be so fortunate as to be
finally acted upon before the close of the
week, the Porto Tican bill, under the
agreement made in the Republican eau
Gus last week, will be Immediately
taken up. The probabilities are that
the Hawaiian bill will be debated at con-
siderable length and that many amend.
mcnts will be offered to it. On this ac-
count, and because it may be made the
basis OF more Or less general talk on the
question Of the policy to be pursued to-
ward the new possessions, considerable
time probably will be necessary to the
final disposal OF the bill.
All admit the urgency of legislation
giving the Eawaiians government, but
there are some points ON which there are
radical differences of opinion, and these
will have to be fought out. The most
important Of these is the question as to
whether the commercial intercourse be-
tween the United States and the islands
shall be under tariff or under the free
trade system allowed between the states
Of the Union. The bill provides for free
trade, but several of the senators, under
the leadership Of Senator Platt, of Con.
necticut, are making ON effort to secure
radical amendment in this respect.
Senator Cullom, in charge of the bill,
will resist, and he will be supported by
some Republicans and nearly all Of the
Democratic members. Practically the
same fight will be made ON tho Porto
Ricon bill.
The Porto Rican tariff bill and de.
bate upon it are to occur in the house
this week. The vital question at issue
in tho bill is whether that clause Of the
constitution providing for equality Of
impost and excise taxes throughout the
United States territory extends over the
island of Porto Rico and in this is i'll.
volved, perhaps, the determination of
tho future status and government of
our new possessions. The Republicans,
in framing the bill have proceeded upon
the theory that tie constitution and its
imnunities do not extend over Porto
Rico. The Democrats are soidly ar.
rayed upon the other side and in com.
uHttce tney were joined Dy one hepuO'
Gcan-Mr Mccall Of Massachusetts,.
Among the other Republicans to take
che same view is Mr.. Littlefield, ot
Maine, who succeeded the late Mr.. Ding.
ley. He won his spurs in tho debate
upon the Roberts case and is already
considered one of the most powerful de
baters in the house. Tho support oi
these two prominent Republicans has
raised some hopes in the opposition that
they may be able to defeat the bill, al
though this hardly seemed probable al
this writing. Both sidos are preparing
for royal struggle. Mr. Payne, thu
floor leader of the minority, will open il
support Of tho bill. He. will be followed
by Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader
Mr.. Bailey, Of Texas, will close for tn
minority, The debate will continu,
throughout the week and the voto viii
be taken on the following Monday.