New-York tribune., 1900-03-27

statement by Senator Foraker detailing the
proceedings of the Harmony Committee He
told at length OF the efforts OF the committee
to secure concessions from representatives of all
factions. and of the conferences with members
of the House Ways and Means Committee and
also recited the various amendments which had
been suggested with a view to securing har-
mony. He said that with reference to each and
all of these amendments objections were met
from one source or another. The free trade ele-
ment were ap oarently irreconcably opposed to
the House tariff measure while leading Repub-
licans of the House had assured the committee
that any amendment of the House bill would
erdanser the measure at that end OF the Capt.
tol.
In view of this condition of affairs in the
House, Mr. Foraker expressed the opinion that
1t would be wise to pass the House bill without
modification, and he appealed elCquently to all
elements to unite for this purpose with a de-
termination to pass the Civil Government bill
separate measure and with such amendments
as would concede much that the free traders
sought to secure Among the amendments look
ing to this end which he recited as possible of
enactment was one for the continuation of the
Presidents free list, which would practically
cure the admission of all necessaries such
breadstuffs and clothing into Puerto Rico free
or duty. This arrangement would meet the de-
mands of the poorer classes. He also suggested
Puerto Rican authorities, to be constituted by
the Civil Government BILL to say when any duty
vy, which might be imposed should be removed.
IheSe and other amendments would. however,
he said. necessarily go the Civil Government
Dill because of the probable unwillingness of
the Rouse to accept notifications of it's tariff
measure
Senator Gallinger offered resolution directing
the separation of the House Tariff bill from the
Senate governmental bill. and supported the
resolution with speech. This move was met
by counter resolution offered by Senator Wei
for h0 mas of
government bill with free trade provision in
stead of the tariff provision of the House.
The discussion proceeded the basis of these
two motions. No points of Importance
were brought out The free traders expressed
mony but intimated plainly that to do so it
would be necessary to come to their terms be-
cause. as they said, of their conviction that the
imposition of any duty meant material losses
to the Republican party in next falls election
MR. DAVIS EXPLAINS HIS BILL.
Senator Davis read and explained at some
length the substitute introduced by him in the
Senate to-day providing for raising the
sary revenue by purely internal revenue sys-
tenn. He quoted figures from Governor-Gen-
eral Davis in support of his position that the
internal revenue system would be sufficient to
meet the demands for revenue for the conduct
of the government of the island He said there
a feeling throughout the country for free
trade with Puerto Rico, and that this feeling
was not mere ephemeral sentiment but was
based on a proper demand for right and justice.
Senator Culom spoke in conciliatory man.
ner indicating a personal leaning toward the
free trade sentiment, but giving 1t as his opin-
ion that agreement should be reached on
some basis which would present solid front
Senator Quarles made impassiOned appeal
for the enactment of a tariff law, saying that
only by this course could the best traditions
of the Republican party be maintained Both
resolutions ultimately withdrawn-Sena-
tor Wellingtons because of the impossibility
of passing it. and Senator Gallinger's because
il not considered wise to press IL TO a
vote in view of the determined opposition Of
the free trade element.
DISCHARGE OF HARMONY COMMITTEE.
On Senator Chambers motion the Harmony
Committee discharged from further SER
vice. He referred to the fact that some of the
leaders who generally appointed COM
promise committees had not served this COM
mittee. and called attention to the fact that the
caucus had found 1T impossible TO agree any
of the suggestions made by the committee, and
to the further fact that it had failed to accom-
plish the end for which it appointed. that
of reconciling the various elements of the party.
He then moved the discharge of the committee,
and the motion prevailed without opposition
1t not until almost the close of the meet
ing that Senator Lodge offered resolution ex-
pressing the of the caucus that there
should be present effort to separate the
governmental and tariff features of the bill,
and that the discussion should continue on the
old lines for the present. Senator Allison re-
marked that this evidently the sense of
the conference that there was hardly necessity
for taking a vote. and the caucus adjourned
sine die.