New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-23
VOTE ON TARIFF NEAR.
FINDING A WAY OUT OF TIE
PUERTO RTCAN TANGLE.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT AND TARIFF BILLS
TO BE SEPARATED-HAR8ION
COMMITTEES PROGRAMME.
lnv TELEGRAPH TO THE rnraUxE.I

" dS4i4tlS-0hs Mdfcn -ir the DeELOCraElc OpD
ponents OF the Puerto Ricau Tariff ofr
in the Senate had been willing vote
on the passage OF the measure would have
been taken at > o'clock this afternoons:
and II senator Proctor. representing the
Republican advocates OF free trade between the
United States and Puerto Rico. would have con-
sented the vote might have been taken on Tues
day Wednesday at the latest The friends
OF the measure We're ready and anxious 70 have
vote before the Senate adjourned to-day. and
willing 70 make any reasonable CONCESSIONS
in order 20 obtain unanimous consent 20 have
the vote taken tomorrow or early next week.
but their efforts came TO naUsht. except for ths
moral effect produced by their evident readiness
20 meet the issue
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED BY MR. FORAKER
The proposition made bv Chairman Foraker
due to a challenge offered by Mr.. Bacon
and repeated by Mr.. Allen in the course OF their
remarks on the conference report on the Puerto
Rican Appropriation bill. Both OF them. wen
as the other Democratic Senator'S. We're evidently
surprised by the ready acceptance OF the chal-
lenge, and the same may be said Of the Repuo-
lican Senators who are supposed be
strongly opposed 10 the bill that they cannot
persuade themselves 70 vote for II. Senator
Proctor described their state Of mind by saying
that the offer wholly unexpected" to him.
and he proposed that the vote should be post
pOned until Wednesday at the earliest. ths
ground that he and others VINO shared his views
could not be ready TO vote on an earlier day
This delay would have been accepted BY Senator
Foraker. behalf OF the friends OF the bin. had
not the proposed agreement fallen through
account OF the objections OF Senator Pettus and
Senator Sullivan.
CLOSE CALL FOR THE DEMOCRATS
II was an exceedingly narrow escape for the
Democrats, who had unwit,ingiy got themselves
into trouble by gloating over the discord which
they assumed 10 exist the other side OF the
chamber for the president pro tenn. Mr. Frye
who had asked if there was any objection to
Senator FOraker's request for unanimous con-
sent that the vote be taken to-day. the
point OF announcing that Senator objected.
when Senator Bacon arose and wanted TO know
If opportunity would be given 70 offer amend
ments
Senator Foraker with ready cheerfuIness. as
sented, and added that the might be had
tomorrow after the amendments had been
voted On his part. he also offered with
draw all the amendments recommended by his
committee. including the civil government provi-
sions. leaving the bill TO be voted on the
measure exactly as it passed by the House
OF Representatives,. He further said that he
would Immediately afterward move TO take up
the civil government bill and proceed with IT'S
consideration until it also should have been dis
posed of. In fact, Senator Forakers offers were
so generous and covered every point COM
pIetey that there seemed 10 be no reasonable
ground for delay. This made il exceedingly dis
agreeable for the Democrats.
Through Senators Bacon and COckreH and Al
len they had been vehementIy accusing the ma
jority OF a purpose TO pass the relief apprpprta-
ton and then abandon both the civil govern
ment bill and the tariff bill leaving the DingIey
Tariff WALL stand between the United States
and Puerto Rico They had denounced this foul
and inhuman purpose most earnestly and with
cOpious flow of language, and had painted
Srdphlc pictures or the storm or popular IN
dignatiOn which had overtaken and swept over
the majority and compelled II 70 seek refuge IN
der the shelter Of the relief bill IN a word
they were enjoying themselves hugely. baskins
in the genial sunshine of their own eoquence
when they were rudely disturbed by the prac-
teal. matter-Of-facJ proposition offered by the
Senator from Ohio. 10 whom Senator Allen had
momentartly yielded the floor
A VOTE WAS ALMOST REACHED.
The Nebraska Senator promptly accepted II
and then mutely appealed for help from his
party. He realized that the offer was made IN
good faith. buc he could not then have known
that Senator Foraker was fresh from a confer
ence of the members OF the Harmony Commit
tee. OF which he is the chairman. and that he
spoke oy authority II une oner nad oeen ac-
cepJed by the minority in good faith. and IL the
Republican Senators who are inclined 20 Op-
pose the House Dill had been ready 20 meet the
issue the vote would have been taken and the
bill passed or amended before tomorrow night
The responsibility for the failure II the proposi-
tOn, we'll as for any further delay IN settling
the question 10 whether there shall be free
I trade a tariff between the United states and
Puerto Rico. therefore rests squarely tia
shoulders OF the Democratic minority. because
I the Republican advocates of free trade were
willing 10 consent 20 fix a day not later than
next Wednesday for the tnal vote
The discontinue OF the Democrats
Z complete. and their chagru keen. that they
would not consent to the further consideration
of the conference report to-day. ard when Chair
man Foraker called Up the Puerto Rican bill az
unfinished business. Senator Pettus demanded
a quorum. which did not promptly appear. and
then another Democrat. Senator sullivan. moved
adjournment. which motion carried. and
the minority drew off for repairs II had not
/ been a good day for them.
PASSAGE REGARDED AS ASSURED.
OF course Senator Foraker would not have oc-
fe-ed to separate the tariff and civil government
provisions. and to have vote to-day tc-
morrow on The former if he had not felt con-
hdent that the passage OF the House bill was
assured. That confidence was shared by his
colleagues of the Harmony Committee and the
advocates OF the bill generally. and the remarks
| OF Senator Proctor clearly indicated that the
vote against the hill We're not prepared will
ing that the question should be submitted 20 q
test without delay.
There were other indications that they realized
their weakness in votes ard were cOurting delay
in the hope that the prospect might improve
Senator Beveridge who had prepared ex-
haustive speech against the bill copies or which
have been sent 70 ali the newspapers, had gwen
notice that he would deliver II to-day he
called at the White House this morning, as also
did his colleague Senator Fairbanks ana SEN
ators Foraker and Spocner OF the Harmony
/ Committee When he arrived at the caption
Mr BaveridCe had recOnsidere6 his intention or
speaking today and said that he would wair a
little longer and see II The Republicans could
I Re viii deliver his speech. or whether ne may
NOT decide 20 withhold IL altogether. nov seems