The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-25
TALK ON PORTO RICAN BILL.
POSITIONS OF BOTH SIDES AS
THEY WE'RE PRESENTED.


views as to Free Trade-Repub-
licans Made to Feel Somewhat
,vvIward Republicans Opposing
and Democrats FavOring the Pres
dents Announced Policy.
washington, Feb. 24-Last week the
rntie eye was focused on the Senate in
dsference to the respect always paid to
the money question. This week my pbser-
vations are transferred to the House of
representatives where Porto Rico, pro-
lection and partisanship have been on
ton In the course of the proceedings the
unusual spectacle was presented of the
Republican majority opposing the recon-
incubation of a Republican president on a
great national question, and the Demo-
cratic party practically united in their
support of an executive who represents
almost everything against which the Dem-
ooracy is pledged.
An opportunity was also afforded to
make a comparison between the rival po-
htical Representative Payne of
New York for the Republicans and Rep
resentative Richardson of Tennessee for
the Democrats. The Republican leader
was clearly at a disadvantage in plead
ing for a tariff on Porto Rican products
for his heart was not in his work and
he was unable to arouse the slightest en-
thusasm among those members of his
party who feel it their political duty to
vote against their honest convictions. At
best, Mr.. Payne is not a sensational
speaker nor is his style of delivery calcu-
lated to inspire enthusiasm and set a
crowd yelling with appreciation by reason
of his finally rounded sentences. The
only applause injected into his long and
rather wearying speech in opening the
debate was occasioned by pointed ques-
lions fired at him from the Democratic
side of the chamber. Naturally good ma
tured. Mr.. Payne endured many faceti-
tOu Interruptions without protest, but it
was apparent that the Democratic sharp
shooters were causing him considerable
mental, If not physical pain.
Mr.. Payne's Position.
In the labored appeal in behalf Of tar
if on Porto Rican products, the substance
of Mr.. Payne's speech may be summed
up in two or three of his sentences. He
said:
In respect to Porto Rico we are not
hampered by treaty stipulations or by act
of Congress. There has been no law ex-
tending the constitution over the island.
In this it differs from the status of every
formerly acquired territory. We have alb
solute power"
In conclusion, Mr.. Payne was forced to
reveal the political "Nigger in the wood
pile" which the Republicans have siren
uously endeavOred to conceal. After be-
Ing hard pressed by the opposition for this
sudden change of position by the Republi-
cans regarding Porto Rico Mr.. Payne, in
defense of the reversed position he now
occupies, admitted that the real object in
view was to obtain from the Supreme
Court of the United States an official de-
cision defining the relationship Porto Rico
bears to the United States. He said
'If this bill is passed it will give the
Supreme Court of the United States the
first opportunity it has ever had to meet
that question fairly and squarely and say
whether the limitation for uniform taxa
ton in the United States refers to the
United States or to the United States and
the territory belonging to the United
States. Ii may be an important question
to be considered in the future when We
come to legislate for the Philippine ISL
ands, when we come to legislate, if We
have to, with respect to Cuba, and l think
ii would be a good proposition to submit
that question now to the Supreme Court
If you are right, gentlemen, in your con-
tention, we shall have difficulty when we
come to legisIate for our other islands. We
shall have difficulty in protecting the in
terests of the people, the manufacturers,
the farmers of the United States. If we
are right in our contention, our way Is
more simple"
When leader Payne concluded there was
some profunctory hand-clapping and
Misunderstanding by his party associates, but
he realized that he had performed a hard
job in an understandable manner and the
most pleasant sound was the fan of the
Speakers gavel and the announcement
that his time had expired.
The Free Trade Side.
Free trade for Porto Rico was ably ad-
Vocated by "Shm Jim" Richardson, the
new Democratic leader His long, lean
form was covered with new close fitting
Prince Albert coat and dark trousers He
had discarded for the day his usual turn
down collar and bright scarlet neck-tie,
and substituted a high standing collar
which threatened 10 clip off the ends of
his ears every time he turned his head
Instead of a flaring red ribbon around his
throat he wore a marrow back neck-tie
ana looked every inch a statesman of the
Old school.
Being free-trader from conviction, he
was enabled TO throw more vim into his
remarks than the speaker who preceded
lim. As the editor and compiler of the
messages and official papers of all the
Presidents of the United States from
Washington down TO Mckinley he was
We'll equipped to discuss the constitutional
teature of the bill and also inject some
very interesting and pointed suggestions
in support of his contention. In addition,
he had for his key note the unqualified rec
concentration of President Mckinley in
favor of free trade in Porto Rico, and he
drove that home TO the Republican side
with telling effect,
Leader Richardson was in excellent
form and he made admirable use of the
opportunity. His Democratic colleagues
with whom he is especially popular sat
around him and encouraged him with fire.
ouent and liberal applause, and at the end
of his peroration, they hocked
round him and overpowered him
with congratulations. In this in
siance a. least. the Democrats dis
nayed better discipline and more unanim-
NY than has been seen among the Democ-
.acy of the House for many years past.
In an Awkward Position.
On the Republican side the old party