Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-23
Opposition to Ending Porto Rican
Debate Monday.
NOTICE GIVEN BY CHAIRMAN PAYNE
Representative LittIefields Speech
Causes a Stir.
TIL E DAYS UMEN

The House debate upon the Porto Rican
bill was resumed today at IL O'clock Mr.
Payne On. W, the floor leader OF the ma
Jority, gave notice that Monday he would
move to close general rebate
Mr. Richardson JTenn.) the minority
leader, appealed to Mr.. Payne not TO close
debate Monday. He said 1t was impossible
Tor those on his side Of the House TO ex-
press their views this week
Mr. Powers (Vth Joined with Mr. Rich
ardson in the appeal for more time. He
said 1t was exceedingly important that
there should be ample time to debate this
important measure. For himself he de-
sired more light upon the subject before
he voted.
Mr.. Payne replied that there had been a
general understanding that the debate
should run week.
Mr.. Grosvehor said the democrats had
been debating this question for two months
Tons, indeed car loads Of literature on the
subject had been sent out, and he thought
very little that new could be said upon
the subject.
Mr.. Richardson repI,eS that the question
of unequal taxation OF the territories was
now being discussed for the first time.
Distress I'm Porto lttco
Mr. Jones Wa.). member of the insular
committee, was the first speaker today
He discussed the conditions which existed
upon the Island Of Porto Rico which led
to the Presidents recommendation of free
trade for her goods, and quoted from the
testimony before his committee to prove
that the conditions were far worse now
than when the President made his recom-
mendation. He pictured the distress that
prevailed on the island. and declared that
only immediate relief could prevent the
actual starvation of many OF the inhabiI-
ants.
Speaking of the real motive behind the
bill, he charged that it was disclosed by
Mr.. Moody (Mass.) yesterday. when he de-
clared that he was unwilling that 10000 Oo0
Asfaucs should enjoy the immunities OF
citizenship in the United States which had
been his birthright an American citizen
Mr.. Maddox tGfa.D followed in opposition
to the bill. In the course of his remarks
he had read a long letter from former Rep
resentative Turner of Georgia, who was
for many years upon the ways and means
committee, denounciug the new theory OF
the Constitution" upon which the pending
bill was based.
Mr.. RarthoIdt.
Mr.. Bartholdt OIoD supported the bill
''The constitutional lawyers" said he
"are busy proving that we can hold out
side possessions by treaty and govern them
by the authority Of Congress, not regard
less of the Constitution, but rather with
out stretching it to cover such territory.
am inclined to agree with them.
MIR. Russell of Connecticut.
Mr. Russell Comm. a member of the
ways and means committee. defended the
bill in careful argument. He covered the
commercial as we'll as the legal phases Of
the controversy. He said he had believed
and he still believed that free trade with
Porto Rico would do no material injury to
the industries of the United States and
be of no material benefit to the people OF
the island. Mr.. Russell explained that the
tobacco growers of Connecticut had in
terest in excluding Porto Rican tobacco. II
was all filler tobacco and would make a
demand for Connecticut wrappers and fill
ers.
MIR. LittIe6eId.
Mr.. Liulefield (Me.) followed His ap-
pearance upon the floor created a stir. Ii
was known that he would oppose the bill.
and the high reputation he had won in the
Roberts debate made members on both
sides OF the politica! aisle anxious 10 hear
him. He spoke in time yielded 10 him by
Mr.. Richardson. the democratic leader He
opened with an emphatic declaration of his
reasons for antagOnizing the measure. Il
oppose this BILL said he, because 1t is
un-Americdn, unprecedented
unwarranted and unconstitutional"
He occupied a painful position. he said
He was compelled to dissent from the pol
Icy advanced by distinguished men of his
party, whose long experience in legislation
made them worthy leaders. He was re-
publican and should support republican
doctrines, but when a great question of
right and wrong, a great question of prin-
ciple, was presented he felt, as he had no
doubt every member OF the floor felt that
each individual had the right to think and
speak for himself
For himself he should do right as God
gave him TO see the right. Democratic
applause) And moreover, he submitted
hat there were reasons why the pending
bill should not receive the approval of the
republican party. He was not aware. he
said, that any section of the republican
party at any spot or place had justified il.