The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-23


Porto Rico.
Mr. Spooner-Suppose the House had
coneurred in the Senate amendment. what
effect would that have had on the Dingley
tariff law?
Mr. CCckrell-None on earth, so far as
continuing it is concerned. 1t would not
have modified the Dingley tariff act; but
it would not have been a declaration in
continuance of IL.
MIR. Foraker-Do l understand the Sen
ators position to be that this bill is for
the purpose Of continuing in force indefi-
nitely the rates fixed in the Dinsley act?
Mr. Fairbanks-The Senator is a mem
Der OF the Committee on the Pacific Islands
and Porto Rico and as such member does
ne not know that that committee has re-
ported a bill having for its purpose very
substantial reduction of the Dingley rates?
Mr. Cockrell-Oh. l know that; and 1
know ether things about il That is not
the only little secret in the f ,raker bill.
Mr.. Cockrell quoted from the report of
the Secretary Of War and from the Presi-
dents annual message in favor of the
policy of free trade with Porto Rico. . Our
plain duty the President has said. is to
abolish all customs tariffs between the
United States and Porto Rico and give her
prdoucts free access to our markets
That" Mr. Cockrell continued, was
the Republican doctrine on the 3rd of
March. 1899. 1t was formulated by the
President of the United States. endorsing
the recommendation of his Secretary OF
War and of his commanding general in
Porto Rico. And it carried out the plight
ed faith OF this great nation to the inhab-
itants of Porto Rico. who SO quickly, mild
ly, and generously yielded to American
domination there
Mr. Cockrell also quoted the bills intro
duced by Mr.. Foraker in the Senate and
by Mr.. Payne OF New York in the House.
establishing free trade with Porto Rico.
and said;
Did you not have a right TO believe that
the Republican party had pledged Itself 10
this course and this policy? Was rot that
the sentiment Of the people Of the United
States? Was it not the sentiment OF the
Republicans in the Senate and House?
But. all at once, some mysterious influence
and power begins to operate, to work, TO
ferment and to produce results. Now. my
Republican friends, | want you to tell us.
as honest. patriotic citizens, if you intend
to put your President in the position OF
stultifying himself by compelling him to
sign this bill?"
In conclusion. Mr.. Cockrell read the
resolutions of the New York Chamber of
Commerce to the effect that every consid-
Grafton of honor. justice, and humanity re-
quired trade with Porto Rico unrestricted
by any customs duties whatever.
Mr.. Sullivan said that the fact of his
having voted for the Spanish treaty only
emphasized. In his mind. the Improperly
on the part of the Government of treating
the people of Porto Rico as aliens and
strangers, and worse than the people liv-
ing in other Territories of the United
saThn pOpfarannp ha caid
does not in the slightest degree change
the Dingley law as it now stands
Defended by MIR. Allison.
Mr. Allison defended the report, the
Government Porto Rican bill being laid
aside to permit him to proceed. Referring
to this displacement, he remarked that the
incident was one calculated to point a
moral as well as to sdorn a tale.
He said that not only the Republican
but the President and others in
were agreed upon the Importance
Of legislation in the interest of Porto Rico.
and as an evidence of this feeling the bill
looking TO this end had been put in the very
forefront Of the business of the Senate.
so far as free trade is concerned" con-
tinued Mr.. Allison, "it is very well, per-
haps; but we must take into consideration
the tdlA VI INT ieidiLOils VI
such as rum, tobacco, etc, with those of
Porto Rico. The mass of the people there
are poor and the greater share of the prop
erty is in the hands Of a few men, and we
must SO adjust our relations as to make
them prosperous and at the same time let
them contribute to our prosperity. We
must deal generously with the Porto Ricans
and do all that we can to enable them to
sustain their dense population.
Hearing the arguments from the other
sfde, Mr.. Allison concluded. lone would
think that all these questions could be set
tied within five minutes.
Mr.. Aliens Challenge.
Mr.. Allen attacked the conference re-
port and in the course of his speech re-
ferred to Mr.. Foraker as the great polit-
ical general OF the age" and said that Mr..
Foraker's object and intention was really
to prevent any vote on the House tariff
bill fixing a duty of 10 per cent on the
products of Porto Rico He predicted that
that bill would never be allowed to come
to vote in the Senate.
Mr.. Foraker took up the challenge and
expressed his readiness to have an i'm
mediate vote upon the House bill after
from it the committee amend
ment for a government for Porto Rico. He
asked Mr.. Allen and the Democratic side
of the Senate whether they would consent
to that arrangement and have the vote
taken at once.
Mr.. Allen said that he represented no.
body but himself and that he would give
his assent.
We'll" Mr.. Foraker went on, 'in view
of what the Senator has said, l ask unan--
imous consent to withdraw the amend
ment in the nature of substitute to the
House bin and to have the House bill
brought TO a vote today"
Mr.. Allen-The 10 per cent bill?
Mr.. Foraker-Yes.
Mr.. Allen-I join in that request
Mr. Foraker repeated his proposition and
suggested O'Clock as e time for taking
the vote.
rs there any objection" asked the
President pro tempore.
1T is absolutely unheard off, Mr.. Bacon
that unanimous consent should
be asked for a committee to bring in a bill
and have an immediate vote upon it."
The bill is before the Senate now,1 Mr..
Foraker explained, 'as the unfinished bust
ness
Let the committee put the bill in
shape" Mr.. Bacon suggested, ''and then We
will see"
Il will put 1t in shape Immediately"
Mr. Foraker offered
Well. do it," said Mr. Bacon.
There has been one challenge after an
other" said Mr.. Foraker ito take vote
on this bill. The Senator from Nebraska
said we dare not vote upon it,
And / repeat it." Mr.. Allen put in.
Then | ask unanimous consent" Mr.
Foraker again said, Ito withdraw the COM
mittee amendment, leave the House bill
pending without any amendment, and vote
on it at o'clock today"
In. h. A.,in L.