The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-19
,ovERNMENT OF PORTO RICO.
,srLAR TARIFF BILL TO COME UP
IN THE HOUSE.

,;u involve Right of the New Pos
.essions to Participate in the Con-
tuition of the United States-Sim-
uor eight on in the senate as to
,,,nii-Party Lines Are Drawn,
rhoueh some Republicans Are
with the Democrats.
washington, Feb. 1S.-The House to-
uorrow will enter upon the consideration
= the Porto Rican tariff bill and the de-
i Ia upon it promises to be memorable in
,ba history of this Congress.
The vital question at issue in the bill is
-bether that clause of the constitution
aroyiding for equality of import and
.xcise taxes throughout United States
territory extends over the island of Porto
pico and in this is involved, perhaps, the
coordination of the future status and
government of our new possessions.
The Republicans in framing the bill
have proceeded upon the theory that the
constitution and it's immunities do not
extend over Porto Rico. The Democrats
are solidly arrayed upon the other side
and in committee they were joined by one
republican, Mr.. Mccall of Massachusetts,.
| Among the other Republicans who take
Inc same view is Mr.. Littlefield of Maine,
qho succeeded the late Mr.. Dingley. He
von his spurs in the debate upon the
Roberts case and is already considered
one of the most powerful debaters in the
House.
| The support of these two prominent Re-
uDlicans has raised some hopes in the OPP
position that they may be able to defeat
the bill, although this hardly seems prob
able at this writing.
Both sides are preparing for a royal
Jruggle. Mr.. Payne, the floor leader of
the majority, will open in support of the
|Mll He will be followed by Mr.. Richard
son, the minority leader. Mr.. Bailey of
Texas, will close for the minority. The
debate will continue throughout the week
and the vote will be taken on the follow
linz Monday.
Similar Fight in Senate.
The attention of the Senate this week
will be given largely to the relations of
the United States to its insular possess
sions The bill providing a form of gov
ernment for the Hawaiian Islands has
right of way, and if 1t should be so for
tunate as to be finally acted upon before
the close of the week, the Porto Rican
bill under the agreement made in the Re-
diately taken up.
The probabilities are that the Hawaiian
bill will be debated at considerable length
and that many amendments will be Offer
ed to it. On this account, and because
it may be made the basis of more or less
general talk on the question of the policy
to be pursued toward the new possess
sions, considerable time probably will be
necessary to the final disposal of the bill.
All admit the urgency of legislation
giving the Hawaiians a government but
there are some points on which there are
radical differences of opinion, and these
will have to be fought out. The most i'm
portant of these is the question as to
whether the commercial Intercourse be-
tween the United States and the Islands
shall be under a tariff or under the free
trade system allowed between the states
of the Union The bill provides for free
trade, but several of the senator's under
the leadership of Senator Plat of Con-
necticut, are making an effort to secure
radical amendment in this respect Sena-
for Cullom in charge of the bill viii re-
sist this and he will be supported by some
Republicans and nearly all the Democratic
members. Practically the same fight will
be made on the Porto Rican bill.
other Matters to Come UR.
On Wednesday Senator Lodge will de-
liver a prepared speech on the Philip
pine situation, dealing with the whole in
sular question to an extent Senator Ken
ney will also deliver a set speech on the
Philippine question on Tuesday.
Ii is quite possible that the conference
report on the currency bill will be brought
in during the week, and If so everything
else will be laid aside for its consider.
alton. A very sharp debate is expected
over this report when made.
The diplomatic appropriation bill may be
considered during the week.
Thursday eulogies will be delivered on
the late Senator Hayward of Nebraska