New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-25
THE SENATE SURPRISED.
MR.. FORAKER wITHDRAwS HIS PUERTO
RICAN BILL.
FEATURES To BE sEPARATED-VoTE ON
THE TARIFF EXPECTED NOT LATER
THAN THURSDAY.
THAN THURSDAY
LBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

[By TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington, March 24.-For a few minutes In
the Senate to-day surprise bordering almost on
CONSERVATION in some quarters was created by
a request from Mr.. Foraker that the pending
Puerto Rican bill be sent back to committee.
The request was granted after a lively colloquy.
This action and the explanations Mr. Foraker
made in reply to the inquiries of Senator Allen
and others were both steps toward a speedy
disposition Of the Puerto Rican Tariff bill, which
passed the House Of Representatives more than
three weeks ago That measure is 10 be consid-
cred before the one to provide a civil govern
ment for Puerto Rico. unless it shall consume
more time than is expected. Senator For
aker expressed an intention, If that should hap
pen. bring back the latter bill. with the amend
ments proposed by his committee (some of which
have already been agreed TO by the Senate),
and ask TO have il considered The intention, of
course is to separate the tariff provisions from
those which relate 10 a form of civil govern
ment The pending bill which includes both, is
unfinished business" and cannot be displaced
until disposed Of except by unanimous consent.
VOTE EXPECTED BY THURSDAY.
Senator Foraker. who is in charge of all the
Puerto Rfcan bills said to-day that he expected
the Tariff bin be brought to final vote
next Thursday at the latest. This indicated
that diatorv tactics would not be resorted to by
the opponents Of the measure some of whom
have been credited with such intention.
There were some indications to-day that they
were in a more pacable mood than yesterday.
Their leaders. perhaps. had begun to discover
that the voting strength of the opposition had
been overestimated and that the full limit of
accessions TO their ranks had probably been
reached
The Republican opponents of the tariff bill
must Of course seriously consider whether they
can afford to be in any degree responsible for a
failure TO reduce the existing rates OF duty on
articles Of commerce passing between ports of
the United States and those of Puerto Rico, and
that IS one of the questions involved since Con-
gress has afirmatively provided, in the act ap-
proved to-day. for which all of them voted, that
those rates shall not be changed until new
law is enacted. This consideration would not
prevent them from supporting a free trade
amendment to the pending bill. but it might
constrain them TO vote for the bill itself. which
reduces the existing rates of duty So per cent.
There is considerable sentiment among friends
of the bill in the Senate in favor Of amend
lnent providing that the articles included in the
free list of the existing executive tariff which
governs all importations into Puerto Rico shall
continue TO be exempted from payment Of
duties. and as has been several times suggested
IN these dispatches, IL is not Impossible tnat
such an amendment may be adopted 1t now
appears to be the greatest concession which any
of the supporters of the bill willing to make.
Many Republican members Of the House of
Representatives are inclined to the opinion that
the amendment if adopted by the Senate. would
lie agreed TO by the House. where the motion 10
roncur would be the only one germane and IN
order under the rules. Such amendment,
however. viii not be proposed by the friends of
the bill in the Senate unless II can be made
clearly to appear that its adoption will not en-
danger the passage Of the House bill
MR. FORAKER'S EXPLANATIONS.
Mr. Foraker's request created a stir in the
Senate. as many supposed it contemplated the
recommittal of the Puerto Rican bill. which is
the unfinished business. 1t was. however, the
Senate measure reported several weeks ago pro-
viding for a civil government for Puerto Rico.
What is the necessity for the bills recon-
1nittal?" inquired Mr.. Allen
There is no necessity. will say to the Sen
ator" replied Mr. Foraker but in view of what
happened the other day. 1 think it desirable
that this action should be taken. I want the
bill recommitted that the committee may
place upon it certain amendments already
agreed to by the Senate another bill. We
may deem il necessary to separate the Govern
rnent and the tariff features of the pending
bill"
After some sparring between Mr.. Foraker and
Mr.. Allen, the latter inquired: Does the SEN
ator apprehend that the tariff bill is to take the
place of the present unfinished business?"
Yes" replied Mr. Foraker. That's the idea q"
Then this government bill is to sleep until
the tariff measure shall have been passed."
suggested Mr.. Allen.
Yes. IL will Sleep" responded the Ohio SEN
ator but il will sleep only three or four days.
If at an early date we cannot get vote upon
the tariff measure, IT is my purpose to report
back the civil government bill and press its
passage"
Dir. Bacon inquired of Mr.. Foraker If he could
say when he would repeat his request TO have
the Puerto Rican tariff measure voted upon.
and one that ought one way or the other to be
disposed of as soon possible. He directed
attention TO dispatch from Ponce in to-day
newspapers Indicating that business par
alyzed, and even people of means were suffer-
ing for the necessaries of life.
Mr.. Foraker said he already familiar with
the information contained in the dispatch. II was
knowledge of this kind possessed by the Puerto
Pican Committee that had induced 1t to pre-
tee believed, would relieve some of the distress
the island. He expected to ask the Senate
TO separate the government measure and the
tariff proposition in the unfinished business, and
hoped 70 secure vote perhaps on Wednesday
next. and certainly not later than Thursday.
After some further discussion the request OF
Mr.. Foraker that the bill be recommftted was
agreed to.
OFFICERS SENTENCE C0MMUTED.
Washington March 24-The President to-day COM