New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-26
THE PUERTO RICAN BILL.
MEASURE, SLIGHTLY AMENDED, WILL
PROBABLY PASS THE HOUSE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington, Feb. 25-General debate on the
Puerto Rican Tariff bill will be resumed in the
House of Representatives tomorrow. and 1t is
expected that Mr. Dolliver, of Iowa, a member
of the Ways and Means Committee. will be one
of the speakers. His friends say that Mr.. Dolli-
will have terse and spicy remarks to
offer respecting the speech of Mr.. Littlefeld, of
Maine, and II also understood that Mr.. Moody,
Of Massachusetts, will have something to say on
the same subject. The days proceedings there
fore seem to be more lively than usual.
AS to Mr.. Litte1eld's speech, it appears TO have
produced effect which he did not desire or in
tend-that of weakening Republican opposition
to the pending bill. Several members who
listened to its delivery said yesterday that they
had purposed to vote against the bill, but would
now support 1t.
The result Of last nights Republican confer
ence was by means unexpected, and 1t prob
ably insures the passage of the bill by nearly
solid Republican vote. Indications are that
there will be many Democratic votes for the
bill as there will be Republican votes in the
negative. OF course, 1t Is still expected that
Messrs Mccall, Littlefeld and Crumpacker will
adhere to their views and vote with all the
Democrats save three or four against the meas
ure. The situation last night when the confer
ence assembled was somewhat like that which
gress, when a Republican caucus was called to
consider the pending silver legislation and a
number of the Republican members were in
clned TO revolt against the recommendations
OF the majority of the Coinage Committee of
which Mr.. COnger, of Iowa, now Minister to
China, chairman. Speaker Reed attended
the caucus and lent the weight OF his ability
and influence to the report of the committee,
and succeeded in preventing the passage Of a
free silver measure by a Republican House.
Last night Speaker Henderson attended the
conference. and IT due in large part to his
efforts and influence that harmony and good
feeling prevailed and a prospect OF unity OF
action by the majority was pretty well assured.
The fact that the President and his constitu-
tional advisers are heartily in favor OF the at
ttude Of the majority OF the Ways and Means
Committee and of nearly the entire Republican
membership OF the House in regard to the full
and exclusive power and authority OF Congress
over the newly acquired territory, and that the
pending legislation offers opportunity of
which advantage will be speedily taken TO have
that question reviewed by the Supreme Court
of the United States, matters which many
Republican members of the House now realize
and recognize more important than they did
two three days ago. 1t is likewise true that
a number of Republicans at last also realized
that 1t would be unwise and inexpedient for
them to persist in their opposition and shoulder
the responsibility of becoming active allies per
haps catspaws OF the minority in order TO defeat
a measure whose passage it is pretty gen.
orally understood and recognized is desired by
the Administration. These Republicans have
not by any means been in favor of leaving
Puerto K.co destitute or Iegiylative relief. and
that is a. matter regarding which the attitude
of the Democrats has seemed TO be one Of in
difference, provided they could succeed In put
ting the Administration in hole" as one of
them privately expressed 1t.
It seems probable that IN the Republican
conference tomorrow night it will be agreed
to amend the bill to provide that the act
shall expire by limitation at the end of two
years. and that thus amended 1t will pass the
| House