The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-03-08
PORTO RlCAN TARIFF BILL PASSED
fOUSE

Financial BJI Reported by Confsrenc.
C"mmIttees-S nator Pritcha-d Pleased
with Reception at Newtoo-BeIIamy
Dockery Contest.
WAsHINGToN, DC.
For the Caucasian.
After considerable debate in the
House the Porto Rican tariff measure
passed that body, though there was
fierce and bitter opp )sitlon on the
part. Of many Republicans who
earnestly and advocated free trade
for the inhabitants Of our new DOS
sessions. The opponents of the pro-
lection feature OF the bill contep ded
that as Porto Rico is part of our
territory now it is demonstrations
to deny these people the same right
to free trade as it would be to deny
that right to the Territories within
the limit of the United States.
But in disregard Of this view the
measure was passed fixing a tariff
duty of 10 per cent on all goods i'm
ported into this country. The Presi-
dent in his message said that it was
"our plain" duty TO admit the pro-
duets from Porto Rico free of duty
but, IL is stated, that he has become
reconciled that this duty should be
imposed. This is a very radical
change of position on the part of the
President, and there is much dIssatis-
faction among leading Republicans,
over the protection feature. Some
denounce it verv vigorously as a
gross injustice and imposition upon
the Porto Ricans.
The Financial bill has been report
ed by the Conference.-The Committees of
the two Houses, and there has been
some interesting debates on the
measure.
The President sent message to
Congress recommending that the
revenues rails d under the Porto
Rlcan tariff bill he applied in sup
port of the governmental expendi |
lures in that possession.
The Bellamy DOckery contest |
came up for hearing before the
Election Committee of the House
Friday. The opening speech for
Col. Docksry was made by Gen. W. !
w. Dudley. Messrs. Chas. M. Bus
bee aud Frank Osborne represent
ed Mr.. Bellamy. The Committee
sat all day to hear the arguments of
Counsel.
The Election Committee OF the
House reported in favor of Aldrick
(Rep) Ala, who is contesting the
seat of Robbins (Dem) and the case
was brought up in the House Friday
Senator Pritchard spoke at New
ton last week against the Constitu-
tional amendment. He said that
there was gathering Of people from
adjouriug counties to hear his dis:
cussion Of the difranchisiug sheme,
and that the audience was very at
tentive and manifested appreciation
of his effort by liberal applause.
He said that his reference to the
fact that under the proposed amend
ment poor boys, who were unable to
educate themselves by 1908, would
be disfranchised made deep impress
sion on the audience.
The dispatch to the Post giving
account of Senator Pritchard's
speech says that the ''llberal ap-
plause he received indicated that p
majority of the people of the county
are with him in his fight against the
amendment.
Elk Congressman Bower spoke at
Newton in favor of the amendment
the day before Senator Pritchard,
and the correspondent of the Char
lotte Observer said:
"Mr. Bower spoke with much
force and enthusiasm. His speech
was heard IN silence. There was
little, if any, cheering by the crowd"
This report TO the one of the pa pers
that is supporting the amendment
seems to indicate clearly that the
masses, part tculsrly in tue Western
part OF the State are either indlffer-
cut or disgusted with the disfranchis-
ing scheme.