The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-02
M'KINLEY'S
MESSAGE.
The President Asks Congress to
Pass a Bill
Turning the Porto Rican Reve-
nueS Over to Him.
OVER TWO MILLIONS
Which He Would Use, to Help
the People.
House Acts Promptly by Unani-
nous Consent.

Washington, March 2.-The president
today sent the following message to
congress:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatIves: Since the evacuation OF
Porto Rico by the Spanish forces ON the
18th day of October, 1898. the United
States has collected on products coming
from that island to the ports of the
United States the duties fixed by the
Dingley act and amounting to $685.
455.SS, and will continue to collect under
said law until congress shall otherwise
direct. Although I had the power and
having in mind the best interests of the
people of the island used it to modify
duties on goods and products entering
into Porto Rico, 1 did not have the
power to remit or modify duties on
Porto Rican products coming into the
ports of the United States In view
of the pressing necessity for Immediate
revenue in Porto Rico for conducting
the government there and for the ex-
tension of public education, and in view
also Of the provisional legislation just
inaugurated by the house of represen-
tatives, and for the purpose of making
the principle embodied in that legisla
ton applicable to the immediate past
as well as to the immediate future, Z
recommend that the above sum so col
lected and the sums hereafter collected
under existing law shall without wait
ing for the enactment of the general
legislation now pending be appropri-
ated for the use and benefit of the
island. (Signed)
WILLIAM NC KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, March 2 1900.
HOUSE TAKES IT UP.
Washington, March I'm the house
today the special message from
the president was read recommending
that all the revenue collected on inn
portations from Porto Rico since the
evacuation of the island by Spain
amounting to over $2,O0O,O0O) should be
placed at the disposal of the president
for the relief of the island.
The Republicans greeted the conclus-
ion of the reading of the message with
demonstrations of enthusiasm.
Il hope the recommendation Will
meet with favor on that side of the
house, said Mr.. Richardson. the minor
ity leader
TN see if it meets with favor on
that side of the house. retorted Mr..
Cannon sharply. III now ask for
unanimous consent for the Immediate
consideration of a bill to carry the
recommendation of that message into
force'
The suddenness of the request spread
CONSERVATION on the Democratic side.
There was no time for consultation
Mr.. Richardson stood hesitating a
moment. Better do it at once" said
Mr.. Cannon, before you change your
mind"
This shaft raised a laugh. Mr. Rich
ardson said he would not object but
wanted to know how much time would
be allowed for debate.
Mr.. Cannon replied that he hoped
there would be no debate. The bill con-
tanned an exceedingly plain appropria-
ton and needed no explanation He
finally suggested twenty minutes on
side To this Mr. Richardson assented
observing:
L do not suppose gentlemen on the
other side can be of one mind longer
than forty minutes Naughter-) We
agree if it will help you out of the
hole"
THE BILL READ.
The bill was then read. It was as
follows:
Be it enacted, etc, that the sum of
81, ,095, 455, being the amount of Gus
toms receipts received on importations
by the United States from Porto Rico
since the evacuation of Porto Rico by
the Spanish forces on October IS, 1898.
to January 1, 1900, together with any
further customs revenue collected on
importations from Porto Rico since Jan
uary 1, 1900 that shall hereafter be
collected under existing law, shall be
placed at the disposal of the president
to be used for the government and ben
eft of Porto Rico until otherwise pro-
vided by law; and the revenues herein
referred to, already collected and to be
collected under existing law are hereby
appropriated for the purposes herein
specified out of any moneys in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated
Mr.. Cannon said there was no reason
to make an extended argument in sup
port of the bill The brief MESA ge OF
the president, he said, covered all the
points necessary to justify the passage
of the bill. 1t appropriated all the
money in the treasury collected up to
January 1, and such money as shall be
hereafter collected on imports from
Porto Rcio, for the benefit of the peo-
pie of the island.
Mr.. Cannon explained that the sugar
and tobacco piled up in Porto Rico con-
trolled by the sugar and tobacco trusts.
which was awaiting shipment to this
/ States if this bill passed and that every
! dollar of duty paid by these trusts
would be devoted TO the storm-swept
and starving people. Republican ap-
/ plause)
You have been shedding crocodile
! tears over there he concluded Now
/ come up and vote for this bill. every
man of you" (Renewed applause.)
i Mr.. Bailey CTex) replying to Mr.
/ Cannon evoked round of Democratic
! applause by his first sentence. If he
/ had known when the request for
unanimous consent was submitted
/ that the bill placed at the ab-
| solute disposal of the president 81, 2,000.-
600 now in the treasury, and in
definite sum thereafter to be collected