Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-20
CONGRESSIONAL TOPICS.

Washington, March Ex-senator BeV-
| eridGe. today, offered the following
substitute for the tariff section of tbs
| Puerto Rico bill:
"All articles coming into the United
States from Puerto Rico or going into
| Puerto Rico from the United States
shall be admitted free of duty, but this
action shall not he construed as ex-
| tending the constitution Of the United
States or any part thereof. over Puerto
Rico. and is hereby declared that the
constitution of the United States is not
extended over Puerto Rico"
Speaking of the amendment Senator
Beveridge said: We have followed
the Presidents suggestion appropria-
ting s. 600 for the Immediate relief
of Puerto Rico. which is more than
the House bill would have given the
island in the entire two years of its
life This removed the reason which
members had for voting for the bill
and restores us to the position first an
nounced by the President. On the
great principle involved we are in en-
tire harmony with the President The
object of my amendment is the same
as that of Senator Davis amendment
ton and revenue provisions of the con
stitution over Puerto Rico and when
any part Of the constitution is extend
ed. it is there forever. 1t may be that
experience will demonstrate that we
shall want to change the laws of taxa
ton of Puerto Rico and if 50 ! fear
that the extension of the taxing pro-
visions of the constitution would pre-
vent us. ON all questions of power
Congress should be left with an abSo-
lutely free and unshackled hand"
Owing to the absence of Senator
Spooner, the Puerto Rican steering
committee has not yet held a formal
meeting. and none will be held until
his return. Members Of the committee
however, have been making a canvass
of the Senate to see if there can be
found a basis of agreement which will
be satisfactory. So far no great pro-
gress has been made. The senators
who announced themselves in caucus
as against the tariff portions of the
bill have shown no inclination to yield
The introduction Of a free trade
amendment by Senator Beveridge
tends to vote for free trade 1t is GER
tain that a number of other Republ-
cans are determined not to vote for
the tariff; though the friends of the
measure say only five or six will stand
out when the final test comes AT the
same time they do not desire to press
vote on the subject at present. They
do not want the party divided and wish
to have as few speeches against the
measure as possible. A statement was
made by a senator, today. to the effect
that if those who opposed the tariff
could not be won over to the majority
the majority would go over to them.
SO far. however. there is not the least
disposition indicated of abandoning the
tariff feature of the bill by its friends
The prospects are that any action will
be delayed as long as possible. The
tariff feature Of the bill will not be
separated from the government fea-
lures at present although Senator For
aker, having the bill in charge. will
take that action as soon as it is ap-
parent that the government bill can
be passed and that there is no pros
pect of an early agreement upon the
tariff provision.