The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-23
VOTE NOW IN PROSPECT.
TOGETHER ON THE PUERTO
RICAN MEASURE
PEACE COMMITTEE CONFERRED
Agreed Upon ~ Programme Which
Ii LIS Thought Will Prove Ac-
ceptabie-SOme OF the
Points at Issue.

WASHINGTON, March 22.-Almost the
entire session of the senate today was
spent In the discussion of the conference
report upon the Puerto Rico appropria-
ton bill
The Democratic senators manifest a
disposition to criticise the restoration of
the house provision covering future col
lections of revenue, protesting to find In
this action the desire to continue the
Dingley tariff
Speeches were made on these lines by
Messrs. Bacon, Cockrell, Jones (Ark.),
Berry and Allen.
The Republicans met the taunt with
proposition to take vote Immediately
upon the house Puerto Rico tariff bill,
and it looked at one time as If unanimous
consent would be secured for a vote on
the tariff measure tomorrow.
Senator Proctor objected, however, on
behalf of the Republican free traders,
and when he indicated willingness to
agree to a vote next week Senator Pettus
put an end to the proceeding by calling
for the regular order of business.
The Republican peace committee met
after the adjournment of the senate and
practically ratified the offer of Senator
Foraker in the senate to separate the
house Puerto Rico tariff bill from the
senate governmental bill and to take
vote on the house measure.
The peace committee is willing that
vote should be taken upon the house bill
as it was passed by that body, provided
it becomes apparent that 1t Is impolitic
to amend it, but an effort will be made
to ascertain whether the house will con-
sent to any modification.
Some of the Republican senators think
the bill should be so changed as to pro-
vide for the continued exemption from
duty Of the articles which were exempted
by the presidents order. They also find
the house bill deficient in that 1t fails to
provide any means of collecting the duty
which it imposes.
There will be a conference with mem
bers of the ways and means committee
Of the house, and if the latter do not
discourage amendments these will be Of
fered. There is, however, an acknowl-
edged fear that if the bill is amended
in any respect 1t may be difficult, If not
impossible, to secure its acceptance by
the house on a conference report. On
this account there may be no effort to
modify the bill.
PROGRAMME OUTLINED.
A report will be made to the senate
committee tomorrow as to the attitude
of the house, and If this report is adj
verse to amendment Mr. Foraker will be
authorized to renew his request for unan-
imous agreement to fix time for a vote
1t will also be agreed that the commit
tee shall not attempt to amend the bill.
The programme then would go forward
with the consideration of the govern
mental bill. The members Of the peace
committee who favor the house bill ex-
press the opinion that most of the Re
publican free traders will offer their
to the house bill, and then.
in case they are voted down, accept and
vote for the bill.
The free trade senators claim there Is
q stronger determination now than ever
before to resist the bill as 1t came from
the house. 1t is claimed there are eight
senator's who will not support 1t unless
amended. These are said to be Davis
and Nelson (Minn), Wellington (Md.),
Hoar CMass.), Mason Qll.), Beveridge
Qnd) Proctor CVt) and Simon (Or.).
What they will do in case the bill is
amended cannot be stated, but 1t Is evil
dent they expect a compromise which
they can support