The age-herald., 1900-03-15
THE REPUBLICAN
 SENATOR'S AGREE Action on Porto Rico Tariff Bill Will be Delayed. TEMPER OF DEBATE MILDER Mea sure for a Civil Government of the Island Will be Taken Up and
 Disposed of Right
 Away.

Washington, March H.-The republican senators in caucus today reached a partial agreement on Porto Rican legislation. The house bill appropriating two million is ito be taken up and passed immedia tely. The bill for civil government of the island is to be taken up and disposed of as soon as possible, and the tariff bill is to be delayed for the present, while committee of seven senators will be selected by Chairman Ali son to try to compromise differences on the revenue bill and secure a measure which republican senators generally can support. The partial agreement was reached after a caucus lasting from o'clock until 5:3O.
 The temper of the debate today was much milder than that of yesterday. As soon as is was generally understood that the tariff features of the legislation were to be post poned the discussion referred to the gov- ernmental features of the bill, and upon this subject tine time was mostly spent. Senator Foraker explained many features of the bill. He was questioned by different senators, many of whom wanted ito know the effect of different provisions of the bill. It was nitima ted that the bill could be amended if not satisfactory, and senators opposed to tariff on Porto Rican products said that there would not be the least ob- jeotion to passing the government bill.
 Senator Elkins favored leaving not only Ghe question of revenues, but the govern ment of the island to the president. He thought the island would be much bet ter off under military rule for the next two years than under any government that could be devised by congress. He particu-
 
 lot more about this whole question in a year or two than we know now he said, and the islands will be we'll taken care of during that time as they would be un- der any legislation we may pass"
 Foraier Opposed to Decay Senator Foraker said that the ques ton of ! dealing with the islands was before con- gress, and he thought congress should act The committee on Porto Rico had given a great deal of time to the subject, and felt secure in the belief that the bill prepared would meet all emergencies. There was a general unanimity as to the wisdom of providing for immediate action of the two million dollar relief proposition, the opin- ion of all senators being that the measure should be passed for humane reasons. otudlOI Ildlt OI AOihcCtiGut cApicSSSa himself as firmly convinced that the peo- pie of a protective tariff in the interest of the industries of the United States should be sustained in whatever was done. He showed a leaning towards the house tariff bill, as did several of the senators who spoke Some of them expressed the opin- ion that this measure would command the votes of thirds of the members of the caucus if tested. Members of the Porto Rico committee were not willing that the governmental feature of their bill should be abandoned at this time. Senator Fora ker expressed the opinion in this connec- ton that the Porto Ricans themselves would not object to a tariff provided by the house bill, and said that some of the resi- dents of the island had even gone so far as to say that they would cheerfully accept a 9 per cent. rate. Senator Hoar talked at considerable length about the legal phase of the question, expressing the opinion that | the senate could not act with too great a | deltberation in considering so momentous | a subject.
 Senator Warren agreed with MT. Hoar | upon this latter point. He had been favor | able to absolute free trade between Porto | Rico and the United States proper. Many other speeches were made on the same line, notably by Senators Aldrich and l Mason.
 At this point the suggestion of a commit tee was made, and as soon as the authority | for its appointment was given the caucus adjourned sine die.