The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-24
VOTE TO BE TAKEN TUESDAY.
noRTO RICAN TARIFF DEBATE is
NEARING AN END.

RenubIican-A Substitute May BE-
offered.
Washington. Feb. 23.-Judge Maddox of
th. Seventh Georgia district was one OF
the principal speakers on the Democratic
side in the Porto Rican debate to-day.
lidge Maddox made only a short speech,
hui as is the case with all of his argu-
rrnls, it was pithy and 90 the point He
showed UP the utter incongruity of the
Republican proposition based on its com
niftee report that the United States"
in the meaning of the CONSTITUTION, in
cludes only the states and not the terri
tories. He contended that that construc-
tion could not possibly be Upheld even by
nartisan courts, but if it were, the spec
t3cle might be presented not only of tariff
laws showing UNJUST determinations TO-
ward territories which are a part of the
Union, but of free trade between these
territories and Porto Rico, which, under
me terms and construction of the Repub-
Jcans themselves, could not be prevented.
He contended that with such a construc-
ton the act of this government in levy
ing a war revenue tax against the people
of the territories was absolutely unconsG-
tutional He had read an able Fetter from
Hon. Henry G.. Turner on the constitu-
tional propositions involved.
Judge Maddox was given the closest at
tenion, and was heartily congratulated
by the Democratic leaders upon his force
full presentation of this new point against
the bill, which carries such unjust treat
ment TO the people of Porto Rico.
Agreement to Vote Tuesday.
An agreement was reached IN
the House to-day that the vote
on the Porto Rican tariff bill will
be taken a p. m. next Tuesday. Cen
eral debate win close Monday and short
speeches under the five-minute rule will
follow up to the time of the vote.
A Republican conference will be held at
p. m. tomorrow. The leaders con-
tinue to express the belief that the Dill
viii pass, but the impression is CROWNS
that a motion to tecommit the bill to
the Committee on Ways and Means will
command strong support and may pre-
vail
Mr.. Underwood the Democratic whip
to-day sent out kilograms to all absent
Democrats to be present on Monday, when
che voting may begin.
The speech of Mr.. Littlefield of Maine
was the feature of the day, and kept the
"a
Gedeld won his spurs by his speech OH
the Roberts case. To-day he added TO mis-
leurels in a speech against the bill, which
for brilliancy wit and logic. rivals the
best efforts of the recognized orators or
the House.
Among the others who spoke to-day
We're Messrs. Jones of Virginia and Mad
doX of Georgia, against the bill, and
Messrs. Russell of Connecticut, Bartholdt
of Missouri, Gardner of Michigan ana
Lacey of Iowa for it,
The debate continued at night session.
Porto Rico Needs Relief.
Mr.. Jones, Democrat, of Virginia, a
member of the Insular Committee, was the
first speaker to-day. He discussed the
conditions which existed upon the island
Of Porto Rico, which led TO the Presidents
recommendations for free trade for her
goods, and quoted from the testimony be-
fore his committee TO prove that the con-
dtions were far worse now than when the
President made his recommen dation. He
pictured the distress that prevailed on the
islands, and declared that only immediate
relief could prevent the actual starvation
of many of the inhabit9nts.
Mr. Maddox of Georgia, in opposition to
the bin followed Mr.. Zones.
NJ Russell of Connecticut of the Ways
and Means Committee defended the bill
on both commercial and legal grounds, and
asserted the CoEnecticuI tobacco growers
had no interest in excluding Porto Rican
tobacco.
BiK Means Calamity.
Mir. Litbefield. Republican, of Maine,
followed. He opposed the BILL he SAID,
because it is unrepublcan, un-Amrican,
nnprecedented, unwarranted and unconsti
tutiCnal, He advocated regenerating Por-
20 Rico by loan which the United States
could authorize it to make, 100000 or
1001,D90 being sufficient. He reviewed the
old Porto Rican loans to Spain and Cuba
and Jamaica and pointed out that in 1873
inc island had manumitted 5000 slaves
without tumut or blooodshed.
Il say" said he that it lies in the
mouth Of no man to say that Porto Rica
could not repay loan of $4,000 900 if OPP
Grating under free trade in free markets.
i assert that this bill is drawn against
Vhe advice of Gen. Davis, governor gen.
"ral of the island. against the protest of
the people of Porto Rico, against the coun-
sci of Secretary Root, against the recon-
mcndatOn of the President and against
Hhe original recommendations of The chair
man of the Ways and Means Committee.
The greatest calamity which overshadow-
ia the Republican party, he said, was
The calamity involved in the pending
on" (Applause.)
II was unrepublcan, and he asked when
before had il been proposed to place a
'luty on American capital and American
labor
He argued that if the Industries of the
nted States were 10 be protected against
The industries of Porto Rico and later
against those OF. the Philippines, the in
oustries of those islands could never pros
per
Mr.. LittIeGeId's Conclusion.
May our flag" he concluded, float
over the whole republic in the Occident
ana the Orient; over the Pearl Of the An
tlles, and the 10000 islands near far off
Sathay; upon land and sea- over school,
nome and church the emblem of our in
leslity and good faith, or liberty and
freedom, of the inestimable blessings OF
Christian civilization, of human rights
guaranteed by the constitution. not de-
tendent upon the evanescent will of state
or national legislatures too often af-
Ilshted al their own shadows, rights i'm
"'aGed in the constitution, not floating as
empty bubbles on the perturbed surface
81 eloquent perorations, rights that are
eternal and worldwide, not ephemeral