The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-03


WASHINGTON, March 2-within two
hours OF a special message from the
president recommending the immediate
passage of bill to place In his hands
all the moneys collected upon Puerto
Rican goods since the Spanish evacuation
OF the island to be used for the relief
of the Puerto Ricans had been read to the
house today. the house had passed and
sent to the senate a bill to carry the rec
ommendation.
The message came like bolt out OF
clear .sky to the minority. They were
at first inclined TO hail it with delight as
a reproof of the majority of the passage
OF the Puerto Riean tariff bill on wednes-
day.
The Republican leaders. however. had
a bill ready TO carry the presidents rec
concentrations into effect. Cannon asked
immediate consideration ror II, and this
was given.
II was only when the debate opened
and II had been agreed that twenty min
utes should be allowed on a side that.
under the lead OF Bailey. the Democrats
began lining up against the bill. because
1t placed no limitations upon the presi-
dents discretion In the use OF the money.
The bin was passed by a vote of 1862 to
107. thirteen Democrats, two Populists
and two silver Republicans voting with
the Republicans
Subsequently the Aldrich- Robbins con-
tested election case from the Fourth Ala
hama district. which the house twice re-
fused to consider yesterday. was taken
up, 1876 10 100. and was debated for the
remainder OF the day.
The Messnwe Received.
A special message from the president
was received In the house today. recon-
nending that all revenue collected on
importations from Puerto Rico since the
evacuation of the islands by Spain
amounting to over s2.ooo.oool. should be
placed at the disposal OF the president
for the relief of the island.
The Republicans greeted the reading of
the message with demonstrations of en-
thusiasm.
II hope the recommendation will meet
with favor on that side of the house.
said Richardson. the minority leader.
"I'il see il IL meets with favor on that
side of the house. rotorted Cannon,
sharply. 'T'u now ask for unanimous
consent for the immediate consideration
OF a bill TO carry the recommendation OF
that message into force"
Ccnsternation Among the Democrats
The suadeuess OF the request spread
CONSERVATION on the Democratic side.
There was no time for consultation.
Richardson stood hesitating a moment;
Better 80 Il at once" said Cannon.
before you change your mind.
This shaft raised a laugh Righard-
son said he would not object, but wanted
To know how much time would be al
lowed for debate.
Twenty Minutes for Debate.
MFR Cannon replied that he hoped there
would be no debate, The bill contained
an exceedingly plain proposal and need
oil no explanation. He finally suggested
twenty minutes on a side. To this Rich
ardson consented. observing;
Il do not think the gentlemen on the
other side can be of the same mind longer
than forty minutes. uaughtor4 we
agree u Il viii help yeu out of the hole
Text OF the mn.
The bill was then read. II was as fol.
lows:
~Re Il enacted. etc. that the sum OF
s. less 455. bslng the amount OF customs
revenue received on tmportations hy the
United States from Puerto Rico since the
evacuation % Puerto Rico uy the spanish
forces on October Is lSss. "a January l.
1890. together with any further customs
revenue collected on importa ticus from
Puerto Rico since January l. $50. or that
shall hereafter De collected under exist
inE Law. shall be placed at the disposal
OF tho president 10 be used for the gov
er0rnent and benefit Of Puerto Rico until
otherwise provided hy law snd the reve-
nue0 herein referred "a. already cullaltua
and % be collected uafer existing law
are hereby appropriated Tor the purposes
hovein specified out ~ any moneys in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated"
Cannon speaks nricny.
Cannon said there was no reason 70
make an extended argument in support
Of the bill The brief message uf the
president hc said. covered an the points
necessary 10 Justify the passage of the
bill II appropriated all the money IN
the treasury collected up Co January
and such money as shall be hereafter coll
lected on imports from Puerto Rico Tor
the benefit of the people Of the island
Money of Trust. Goes to the People.
Cannon explained that the sugar ana
tobacco Piled up IN Puerto Rico con
trolied by the sugar and tobacco trusts.
which was awaiting shipment TO this
country. would Dc shipped 20 the United
states II this bHI passed and every dollar
OF duty paid by these trusts would be
devoted to the storm-swep; and starving
ueonle Republican appiause)
"You have been shedding crocodile tears
ever there" he concluded. Now, come up