The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-24
IT is FINISHED.
Conference Report on Porto
Rican Relief Bill
Passes the House by Vote of
135 to 81.
GOES TO PRESIDENT.
Democrats Cite Republican Op-
position to the Course
Of the Majority in Regard to
the Island.

Washington, March 24.-The confer
ence report on the Porto Rican relief
bill was agreed to in the house, yeas 1876.
nays 81, present and NOT voting 20. This
completes the bill, which now goes to
the president.
Mr.. MeRae (Ark.), a member of the
conference committee, spoke in opposi-
ton to the report and severely criticized
the general course of recent legislation
toward Porto Rico.
He read the resolutions of the Iowa
house of representatives condemning
the Porto Rico tariff bill, and those of
the New York board of trade on the
same subject.
In every solemn crisis he said, the
American people might be relied upon
to make their wishes known in unmis-
taxable terms Such a crisis was now
at hand, and Porto Rico having asked
fulhl1ment of promises and an oppor-
tunity to relieve her distressed people,
was to be given this opportunity in the
form of a relief bill. Will the American
people submit to this outrage? he asked.
If the leaders of the party in power be-
Heve the people do not understand this
question they will speedily realize their
mistake.
The resolution Of Mr.. Cummings IN.
W requesting of the secretary of state
information and correspondence relat-
ing to the "open door, in China, was
agreed to. A bill was passed appropri-
ating $4,000 to secure plans for suit
able memorial to Ulysses S. Grant, to
be erected in Washington.
Washington, March 24.-At the begin
ming of today's session of the senate the
following bills We're passed.
To pay James c. Drake 81, 529, money
expended by him as u. S marshal of
Washington; authorizing the president
to appoint commission to study and
make full report upon the commercial
and industrial conditions of China and
Japan and appropriating $4,000 for the
payment of the expenses of the commits
sion.
The bill aroused some, opposition. Mr..
Berry (Ark.) registered his protest
against the measure, his opinion being
that too many commissions were being
created
Mr.. Cockrerl (NIo.) opposed the meas
ure and stated the pOsit I of the SEN
ate minority on legislati N. THE Re
publican party is in absolute control
and we on this side of the chamber are
powerless to prevent the enactment OF
any legislation coming from the Re
publican party and deemed necessary
by it, he said. Il will not antagonize
this bill although 1 do not agree with 1t
in principle. 1 want it understood now
and understood distinctly that hereafter
absolute responsibility must rest upon
the Republicans for the passage of all
resolutions and bills"
The bill was SO amended that no
shall hereafter serve under any ap-
pointment made by the executive de-
partment of the government While hold
ing office as such member.
It was then passed.
Mr. Foraker (Ohio) in charge of the
Porto Rican government bill asked that
that measure be recOmmitted to the
committee of Pacific islands and Porto
Rico. Mr.. Foraker said he expected to
ask the senate to separate the gOVen-
and the tariff PROVISIONS
in the unfinished business. and hoped to
secure a vote perhaps on Wednesday
next, and certainly not later than
Thursday.
The request was agreed to. Mr. Fair
banks then presented a resolution ac-
cepting the statue of Oliver P. Morton
from the state of Indiana.
FAIRBANKS ADDRESS.
Mr.. Fairbanks said in part: 1.-The SEN
ate of the United States pauses in the
consideration of routine business to ac-
cept a tribute from the state of Indiana
statue is to stand in yonder venerable
hall of representatives, now tenanted
by the mute images of the chiefeSt jew
els of the republic.
THE state of Indiana has roll of
distinguished men who have served her
well; of soldiers who won imperishable
renown upon the battlefields of their
country; of those who have attained
high places in the world of letters, but,
without invidious discrimination, she
makes her present. and first contribu-
ton to statuary hall.
'Oliver Perry Morton was one of the
commanding figures of the United
States during the most heroic period of
her history. He impressed himself upon
his state and nation by the force of his
commanding genius and the history of
neither state or nation will be complete
without the story of his life and work"