New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-01
THE CLOSE OF THE FIGHT
PASSAGE OF THE PUERTO RICAN BILL
ATTENDED BY EXCITING SCENES.

BY EAC1IlNG SCENES.
Washington. Feb. zs-The last day OF the strug-
gle over the Puerto Rican Tariff bill in the House
opened at II o'clock, with almost every member IN
his seat and large attendance in the galleries.
The leaders on both sides actively engaged in
ralying their forces and making calculations on
the final vote They said the main danger lay in
the motion to recommit.
Immediately after the reading of the journal the
clerk began reading the bill for amendment under
the 1--WE minute rule
AMENDMENT REDUCING RATES.
When Section 3 was reached Mr.. PAYNE chairman
Of the Ways and Means Committee, offered the fol-
lowing substitute:
Section Ell 3 That on and after the passage of this
from Puerto Rico and eoning inro pner, 81
from the United States be entered at the sew
tn duties which required to be levied. collected
nnr Paia upon like articles of merchandise i'm
Ported from foreign countries; and in addition
Inereto, upon articles of merchandise OF Puerto
and Withdrawn for consumption or sale upon pay
n ent OF tax equal 10 the internal revenue tax i'm
merchandise of domestic manufacture: such tax
10 be paid by internal revenue stamps stamps to
be purchased and provided by the Commissioner of
dnnnernal revenue and to be procured from the
10 the port of entry OF said merchandise in the
United States, and 10 be affixed under such regula-
with the approval Of the Secretary the Treasury
e prescToe and On all articles of merchandise
RICO, in addition TO the duty above provided on
Internal imposed in Puerto Rico upon o1n
like articles OF Puerto Rican manufacture
Mr. Payne explained that the substitute did two
things-it reduced the duty from 25 to Is per cent
and IL also removed confusion regarding
double taxation He still adhered to the onin,on
tnat rs per would be better than 15 because II
would raise more revenue but Is per cent was bet
ter than nothing. In to a question as to
how much the bill amended would raise Mr.
fayne said the estimate for the original bill was
A'7oO,e0 II that estimate was correct the amended
Dill would raise about si,250.00o year. Mr. Payne
took occasion TO reprove some of his critics who
mad complained that he had given explanation
OF his change of front. His speech and his report
ne said, gave full explanation. He had believed in
free trade with Puerto Rico at one time but later
information had convinced him that the duty pro-
posed by the pending bill should be imposed.
DEMOCRATIC OBJECTIONS
MI. Berry. of Kentucky said the amendment pro-
posed petty instead Of grand larceny the people
of Puerto Rico. He ridiculed the laborous debate
through which the House had passed over the
question OF what the term United States meant
under the Constitution. If this country had been
called Columbia instead of the United States
LEO pages of The Congressional Record" could
have been eliminated No would have had the
hardihood 10 contend then that the Constitution
did not extend over every foot soil.
Mr. De Almond of Missouri called attention to
the peculiar language of the substitute The words
coming into the United States" he said were
plainly intended TO evade the Constitution Ru,
he argued the numbering OF the Queens English
and the violation Of the language could
not make 1t constitutional
MT Grow, of Pennsylvania the venerable ex-
Speaker OF the House. and Mr.. Graft of Illinois
spoke briefly in support OF the bill The latter said
ms constituents expected him abide by the Will
of the majority of his party He did not desire TO
go BACK to his district 20 apologize his party by
announcing that he right and IL was wrong
He referred TO the history of the efforts of the
democrats to force the Administration prena-
turely into the Spanish in vndication of the
policy OF standing by the Administration
Mr. Fitzgerald, Of Massachusetts, in opposing the
DILL referred 10 the expressed determination Of Sec
rotary Root increase the number Of na.fva troone
IN Puerto Rico. Mr.. Fitzgerald wanted to know
10 what nation those native troops belonged Were
they 10 be told that the American flag they were
sworn TO defend meant thing for Puerto Rico
and another the United States? Were they to
become American citizens at s. per cent of?
MR. BRoMWELL STANDS BY HIS PARTY
Ny. Cromwell. OF Ohio. who had hitherto opposed
the bill, after paying his respects two of his
Ohio colleagues CMessrs. Grosvenor and Shattuc}.
said that he was now convinced that the Admins
tration which three months ago recommended free
trade for Puerto Rico now earnestly desired the
passage Of this bill. It mattered little whether he
returned 10 Congress he said but It was OF great
Importance that the Republican party should re-
main In power His announcement that he had
decided to stand by his party in the present
gency greeted with applause.
Mr.. Grosvenor said that much OF the opposition
70 the pending bill due the fact that ii was
misunderstood. As late last Saturday night the
editor Of prominent Republican paper had made
the statement him that the bill proposed that
we should put hands into the pockets of the
starving Puerto Rtcans. When he learned that all
the money collected at both ends of the line went
TO the Puerto Ricsns he astonished. He had
also received letter from distinguished clergy
man complaining of the proposed robbery Of the
Puerto Ricans.
Mr. Otey, Of Virginia, followed Mr.. Grosvenor
with speech which convulsed the House and gall
ieries. He miFnicked the mannersms of some OF
the Republican leaders. closing with parody on
the speech OF Mr.. Cannon yesterday.
MR.. PAyNE's AMENDMENT ADOPTED.
The Payne amendment adopted without d.
vision. Many members both SIDES Of the House
made FIVE minute speeches explaining their posi-
ton. Mr.. Richardson had read a communication
from delegation of Puerto Ricans appealing for
free trade.
Mr.. Payne in reply, said the gentlemen who
signed that communication ali directly inter-
ested IN exporting sugar and tobacco into the
United States. They whining about the lob
bies Of the United States Congress, shedding tears
for the poor people Of Puerto Rico, yet they were
unwilling sacrifice 10000 for the benefit of the
The shock and strain of being fred