Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-05
PUERTO RICAN BILL.
A Vigorous War Waged on the
Measure in the Senate.
POSSIBLE REDUCTION OF war TAXES
The Secretary Of the Treasury Called on
for . Statement Of the Probable sur
plus-The Opening Of Indian Lands
TO settlement

Washington, April 3.-Advocates
and opponents of the Puerto Rican
tariff bill waged vigorous war in the
senate yesterday for more than seven
hours. Long before the senate con-
vened, at II o'clock, the galleries were
crowded and so they remained until
the senate adjourned. Those who lis
tened to the debate yesterday were
well repaid. The speeches were good
and the running debate unusually
bright and lively. During the speech
Of Senator Spooner, Of Wisconsin, par
ticularly, the chamber seemed to scin-
tillate with sparks as he crossed argu-
mentative swords with some of the
best debaters on the democratic side.
His address, if so it could be called,
was devoted almost wholly to. a deci-
sion of the constitutional questions
involved in the pending bill.
Senator Bate (dem.), of Tennessee,
opened the discussion of the day with
carefully-prePared speech in oppos-
ton to the bill. He was followed by
Senator Cullom (rep.), Of Illinois, in
vigorous speech supporting the
measure. Then came Senator Depew
(rep.), of New York, member of the
committee which framed the bill, who
made an eloquent and forceful de-
Tense of the measure. Senator Spoon
er, who spoke next, was followed by
Senator Perkins (rep.), of California,
also a member of the committee on
Puerto Rico, who presented strong
argument for the bill. 4..e closing
speech was delivered by Senator Simon
(rep.), of Oregon, who, in criticising
the measure, entered into brief dis
cussion of the political effects of its
passage. The final vote on the bill
will be taken late this afternoon. 1t
is arranged for four o'clock, but an
effort will be made to extend the time
for debate beyond that hour.
After brief executive session the
senate, at 6:25 p. m, adjourned until
II o'clock to-day.
Possible Reduction Of War Taxes. \
Washington, April IA possible re-
duction of the war taxes was fore
Swallowed in resolution adopted by
the house yesterday calling upon the
secretary of the treasury for informa-
ton as to the probable surplus ex-
listing revenue laws would create dur
ing this and the coming fiscal year.
The resolution was presented by Mr..
Payne, the floor leader of the ma
jority.
Yesterday being District Of Column
bia day the hodse then proceeded to
the consideration of District business,
passing among other measures bill
to increase the tax on the premiums
of foreign insurance companies doing
business in the District of Columbia
from one to two and one-half per
cent.
Mr.. Grosvenor, of Ohio. chairman of
the house committee on merchant
marine and fisheries, presented to the
house the amended shipping bill and
the report in its support by the ma
jority of the committee constituting
all the republican members.
The senate bill to divide the north
ern district of New York into two iu-
dicial districts was passed under sus-
pension of the rules.
Mr.. Curtis, of Kansas, moved the
passage under the suspension of the
rules of the senate bill to ratify the
agreement with the Bannock and
Shoshone Indians of the Fort Hall
reservation in Idaho. The house COM
mittee amended the bill to ratify the
Kiowa. Comanche and Apache agree
ment for opening to settlement g.
100000 acres in Oklahoma. The land
in the Fort Hall reservation aggre-
gates 41s,O0O acres. Mr.. Wilson. of
Idaho, and others advocated the pas
sage Of the bill and it was passed
without division.
A senate bill was pasked TO appro-
pirate 100000 for the Establishment
of a military post at Sheridan. Wyo.
AT 4:45 p. m. the house adjourned
Tho Co.ur a, lana TrouhIa