Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-14
Caucus Of Republican Senators Yes
terday Afternoon.
DISCUSSION OF PORTO RlCAN BILL
After Long Debate Adjournment
to This Afternoon Taken.
SOME FEELING DISPLAYED

All that was accomplished at the confer
ence of republican senators late yesterday
afternoon was a more complete disclosure
of the extent of the division in the party
over the Porto Rican bill. After two and
half hours discussion the conference ad
journed over until this afternoon.
Deep feeling was displayed over the ques
ton by a number of senators, and especial
ly by these of the middle west, some of
whom did not hesitate to affirm that any
effort to place tariff upon the exchange
of business between the United States and
Porto Rico probably would have an injuri-
Gus effect upon the republican party in
those states. There were some sharp pas
sages at arms. 1t was generally agreed,
however. that from a party point of view
almost any bill was better than none and
this feeling gave the friends of the measure
hope despite the apparently unyieldng at
tftude of the opposing factions. They are
still holding 10 the bill as originally intro
duced. and express the belief that it will
form the basis of whatsoever settlement is
agreed upon This opinion is based upon
what was said in general way. and not
upon any poll of the caucus for there was
nothing approaching vote during the
meeting.
One indica ton that an agreement is ex-
pected is the continued determination Of
the Cuban subcommittee to leave tonight
for tour Of Cuba.
Those senators who favored the PROPOSE
ton for tariff ON Porto Rican goods COM
ing into this country and free trade for
goods going TO Porto Rico said that this
course would be humane in principle since
1t would afford free entry of food and sup
plies needed by the Porto Ricans, while the
tariff on goods coming into this country
would supply revenue for the island and
also retain the principle Of protection
Several times during the debate the
course Of the administration was mentioned
and the statements made that the country
was aroused because it had seemed that
Congress was acting contrary to the wishes
Of the President Several senators asserted
that the President was now anxious for
the proposed tariff OF 10 per cent.
Position of Ohio Senator's.
Senator Foraker talked at considerable
length, and vigorously supported the bill,
and was especially determined that the
governmental features should not be aban-
doned. He also defended the tariff provi-
sions as being of an advantage instead of a
hardship upon the people of Porto Rico.
He declared that the bill as amended by
the committee. levying Is per cent duty on
products, both ways. was the best measure
that could be passed, but said he was
willing to accept the compromise levying
a duty only on Porto Rican products COM
ing to this country.
Senator Hanna made a speech that was
listened to with great interest. He favored
visions. He said that from party view
the tariff ought To remain. This was re-
publican Congress and there should be re-
publican legislation. If the bill was defeat
ed he asserted that it would hand the legis-
latiOn over to the democrats. He also spoke
of the effect d free trade measure would
have upon the workingmen, who feared the
effect should the policy of free trade with
the Philippine Islands be established by
granting free trade to Porto Rico. He
urged the republicans to stand firmly to-
Gether for the bill
Mr.. Proctor for Free Trade.
Senator Proctor Of Vermont said that he
believed in free trade with Porto Rico and
thought the matter could be adjusted by
having a military governor and not at
tempting either civil government or tariff
legislation at the present time.
Senator Fairbanks dep!ored the situation
and expressed the hops that there might
be some adjustment. He said that there was
no question as to the feeling Of the people
in his state, who were for free trade with
Porto Rico.
Mr.. Davis Argument.
Senator Davis. who recently introduced
an amendment extending that portion of
the Constitution relative to taxation over
the island, made quite an extended speech,
taking strong grounds in favor Of free
trade with Porto Rico. He said that 1t
was not because the tariff would keep out
or let in certain products that Congress
should act, but because the almost univer-
sal sentiment of the people should be heed
ed-a sentiment which, he said, had been
kindled by the manner in which Porto Rico
had come into the United States
He said that there was no need to fear
that In extending the Constitution over
Porto Rico that 1t would mean like action
when legislation for the Philippines was
under consideration. Each island and group
should be and would be dealt with sepa-
rately and independently. 1t would be time
enough to consider the Philippine tariff
when it was reached.
= Senator Aldrich did not take any particu-
lar side. but he counseled action which
would unite the republican majority.
Senator Perkins, as well as other mem
bers of the Porto Rican committee. wanted
the bill agreed upon without compromise or
amendment.
Quite a number Of senator's in this con-
nection expressed the opinion that a ma
jority would vote for the bill as reported,
and took occasion to criticise the unstable
policy which was being pursued, saying
that the constant changing had done more
to shake the faith of the country than any,
thing else.
No Right to Tax Dependencies.
Senator Simon of Oregon went further
than any other senator in declaring his I'M
alterable position in favor Of free trade
Va w
right to tax our dependencies, and that II
We did not intend to treat the new &C.
QUESTIONS as We treated other acquired ter
ritory We should not retain them He saw
no menace to labor manufacturing or agri-
culture in free trade with the isands, but
promise of far greater increase of COM
merce.
Senator Mason also took strong grounds
in favor of free trade with the islands IL
they were to be retained as possession or
part Of the United States.
He said that the trouble was not with
Porto Rico. but with the Philippines. This
could be easily averted by announcing our
determination not to hold the Philippines
but to grant them the freedom which many
of them sought and to assist them to form
stable government. 1t would not be diff
cult then to enter into satisfactory trade
relations with them, and our laborine men
would not then be threatened with cheap
Malay labor, which, he said, seemed to be
troubling great many advocates of the
present tariff.
Senator Spooner urged party harmony
and believed that the senator's could find
some common ground upon which differ
ences could be adjusted. He was for the
committee BILL was also Senator Hale
who spoke against what he said were the
dangers lurking in our attempting to con-
troll and to legislate for the distant islands
no nsa