The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-25
SPEECHES IN THE HOUSE
MIR. LITTLEFIELD SEVERELY CRIT
ICIsED BY MIR. TAwNEY.
Frank Admission by Senator Tillman
that ,Caroiinians Are Opposed to
"Niggers- at the Polls.

WASHINGTON, Feb 24-At the con-
clusion tonight of the conference OF Re-
publican members of the House on the
Porto Rican tariff BILL Representative
Cannon, of Illinois, was elected as chair
man and was authorized TO make state
ment of the general results. He said: The
conference was in good temper and real
effort was made to harsnonize differences
os opinion concerning the Porto Rico tarif
bill 1t looks as though this effort would
be successful. After full discussion the
conference. by unanimous consent. agreed
to the selection Of committee Of ten
members five of whom were to- be ap-
pointed by the chairman OF the caucus.
from among those in favor Of the bill and
FIVE were to be appointed from those who
dc not agree to the bill in whole or part,
the appointments TO be made by CONN.,
mittee of three, consisting OF Representa-
tives Powers OF Vermont; Crumpacker. OF
Indiana, and Lorimer, of Illinois This
committee is to report their conclusions
and recommendations TO a Republican con-
ference TO be held in the hall OF the House
on Monday evening next at o'clock. In
accordance with the resolution I have
named Messrs. Payne, Dalzell. Hopkins,
Russell and SOLVER, and the other five are
tc be handed TO Chairman Payne to-mor-
row."
About 100 Republican members attended
the caucus which was regarded as a
good attendance I'm view of the incler,<n
weather Those present included Speaker
Henderson, Chairman Payne. of the ways
and means committee, Representatives
Grosvenor. Dolliver. Hopkins, Dalzell. Rus
SELL Tawney, Hepburn, Steele. Cannon,
| Hit and other well-known figures of the
House The oposition element was also
well represented. Representatives Mccall,
| 5ittlefeld Powers, Lorimer and others
| prominently identified with the opposition,
being on hand. Mr.. Cannon acted as chair
man and Mr.. Loudenslager, of New Jer-
sey as secretary.
URGED CANCELLATION.
Speaker Henderson took active part In
the conference and made the first speech
| of the evening. He spoke in a concilatory
| spirit, urging that differences be reconcilec
by the exercise of tolerance on both sides.
| The first definite proposition came from
| Mr. Pearre, of Maryland. who suggested
! a compromise, fixing two years as the limit
| for the operation OF the tariff. Mr.. Pearre
| supported this in a speech indicating no
| purpose to make an issue against the bill.
/ but rather disposition to secure united
action by compromise.
Mr. Powers. of Vermont. was the first to
| give voice to the opposition sentiment He
said, however, that he had come In the
| conference in the hope and expectation
| that differences would be adjusted. His
| remarks were regarded tending toward
harmonious adjustment.
Chairman Payne spoke at considerable
length. and while in good humor he mani
/ tested some feeling at times. He disa-
vowed any pride of opinion in the bill. az
| he had not drawn it. although as chairman
of the committee 1t had fallen to his lot to
| present 1t. Members gathered from what
Mr. Payne said that the secretary Of war
and those War Department officials most
| familiar with the Porto Rican affairs had
drawn the bill Mr.. Payne also conveyed
the impression that the President was not
opposed to the bill, certainly not on the
constitutional question involved. although
he carefully refrained from any direct
statement as TO the attitude or wishes Of
| the President.
GROSVENOR'S REMARKS.
| Mr.. CirOsvenor. OF Ohio. was expected
TO make a statement more indirectly indi-
| eating the Presidents desires. but he care
fully refrained from so doing. He said
that he had recently attended a banquet.
| where he was expected TO speak from the
the throne" but he had a prepared
| speech which wholly omitted any authori-
tatiye statement. So tonight he said he
| did not intend TO speak from the throne"
He said that the proposition limiting the
operation Of the bill 10 two years was -
far as the measure should be changed
The speech-making became general. Rep
resentatives Hill, Cannon, Speer. Mccall.
Brown OF Ohio. Fletcher. Lacey. Tomr-
kins and Littlenele succeeding each other.
Mr.. Lacey brought forward compromise
giving TO the President full authority 10
act For time the discussion turned on
this proposition. but IL failed TO develop
much strength.
The speeches OF Mr.. Mccall and Mr.. Lit
-