The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-07
Republican Congregational Campaign
Committee of Opinion that Light
VIII Allay Public Irritation.
MIR. W. D. BYNUM CONFIRMED
HIS NOMINATION APPROVED BY A
STRICT PARTY VOTE IN SENATE.
Fund Of s9S,442 Presented to Mrs.
Lawton by Gen. Corbin-Two Bills
Providing for q Pacific Cable.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON. March s.-The Porto RI
can tariff question continues to be the
Evest topic In Washington and promises
to remain so for a long time. The matter
was discussed at the Cabinet meeting to-
day and 1t was agreed that every effort
should be made to enlighten the people as
to the real purpose Of the House BILL The
country was TO be impressed with the theo-
ry that the tarif bill is to be but the initial
move on the part of the government to give
the widest possible latitude for the develop
ment OF the Porto Rican industries. 1t is
also to be urged that the proposed tariff Is
only temporary measure, and that 1t is
the part OF wisdom to defer the formation
Of settled policy for the government of
our insular possessions until the Supreme
Court decides as TO the relations between
them and the continental States and Terri
tories.
1t is not disguised that while the ad-
ministration will. at the earliest practicable
day establish and maintain unrestricted
trade relations with Porto Rico, there are
insuperable objections against extending
such a policy to the Philippines. One Of
the fundamental reasons for the admins
.
relations with Porto Rico is the apprehen-
sion that such a policy might establish
a precedent which would work to the in
Jury Of the American workingman. Carried
to a logical conclusion, the policy might
have to be extended to the Philippines,
thereby admitting population of 100000
seni-barbarous Asiatics to competition
with American artisans. This is now
known TO have been the chief reason for
the Presidents change of front. When these
facts come out and are given wide and
official exploitation, II Is the administra-
tion's belief that the people will undergo
a great change OF feeling and will indorse
the measure which is now being subjected
to criticism and attack. Meantime, the
Senate Is expected to go slow In the mat
ter so as to give the prevailing irritation
time to subside. -
The Republican congressional campaign
committee has decided to give wide dis
tribution nearly as possible to the
speeches on the Philippine question by
Senators Beveridge and Depew. and to the
speeches on the Porto Rican question by
Representatives Cannon, Dalzell, Payne,
Dolliver and Long The belief was ex-
pressed that the excitement over the Porto
Rican tariff bill will subside as soon as the
masses are fully enlightened as to the mer-
Its of the question.
The Washington Post tomorrow will
say: President Mckinley, in conversa-
ton with callers at the White House yes
terday. reiterated his belief that the peo-
pie of Porto Rico were entitled to free
trade with the United States He made 1t
clear that his views had undergone no
change since he wrote his message to Con-
gress. He still adhered to the sentiment
therein expressed. At the same time he
said he was unable to subscribe TO the
theory that the Constitution followed the
flag; that the Porto Ricans must have
free trade as a necessary legal right.
When he found the House deemed it the
part OF wisdom. the President explained.
to impose a small tariff upon condition
that the revenues so collected all be re-
turned to the island, he had been con-
strained to yield to the judgment of the
House The tariff. under such conditions,
would be no hardship TO the Porto Ricans
Moreover. he believed II advisable, at the
earliest moment. to secure decision of the
Supreme Court on the constitutional ques-
tion involved. Therefore he had given his
consent TO the nominal tariff and agreed
TO sign such bill. He left no doubt In
the minds OF his callers-whom he ques-
toned closely regarding the drift OF pub
lie sentiment-that Congress. not the ex-
ecutive. was responsible for the change OF
policy 's'
AS the authorship OF the Porto Rican
tarin bin has been ascribed 10 Secretary
Root by a member OF the ways and means
committee. IL may be proper 20 state that
the secretary himself drew up the bill, bu;
only as an alternative measure on repre-
sentation by some OF the Republican mem
bers 10 the fact that II was the best possi-
bic legislation While consenting 70 draft
the bill under these circumstances Sec
retary Root declared that he still held to
the opinions on the subject expressed in
his annual report. and favored doing all
that could be done for Porto Rico. These
facts are from the highest authority
Internal Revenue Collector Henry. OF
Tsrre Haute, Is In Washington. and will
remain here several days. Mr.. Henry re-