The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-04-06
DISC0RD IN REPUBLICAN RANKS.
4 Sharp Encounter of Words Between
the Friends and the Opponents OF the
Quay Resolution-The PortoE Rican
Bill Passed by Majority of Nine-Au
Committee Amendments Adopted,
The House Discusses the Hawaiian
Bill.
SENATE.

ure siTts those discussed during the
mernefa BILE war congress- two years
ago. At 4 o'clock this afternoon the
votes were begun upon the Porto Rican
tariff and civil government bill and the
pending amendments and less ttIan an
hour later the measure, about which
there had been so much contention in
and out OF congress, was passed by
majority Of g. the final vote being 40
to 81
It has been evident for some time
that the bill would command a ma
jOrity in the senate, but notwithstand-
ing that fact, the interest in the meas
Ure, both Of senators and of the pub
lie. has not tagged an instant. Today
the galleries were crowded and hun
dreds OF people filled the corridors 20
secure standing room in the galleries.
From II o'clock when the senate con-
vened until the hour when the Voting
began, advocates and opponents 81 the
bill brilliantly and eloquently main
tanned their convictions and the audi
tors were kept in a state of constant
excitera en1.
the dag were delivered by Senator Ma
sOn. OF Illinois. in opposition to the
measure, and by Senator Foraker, of
Ohio, who replied to a brief speech by
Senator Wellington, of Maryland. 1t
was the Ohio senator's desire to clear
up any misunderstanding or misinfOr-
nation concerning the bill.
Senator MaSOn's speech was drgu
mentative. eloquent and amusing Dy
turns, and, as it covered the entire
range OF the cOuntry's duties and re
SDOnSibilitieS to what the Illinois SEN
ator sarcastically termed our insular
possessions" it was very interesting
to his hearers.
Senator Mason spoke in favor of the
reSNIutiOn of Senator Wellington, which
offers independence to the Filipinos and
against the bill proposed by Senator
SpOoner. of Wisconsin, comforting au-
thoIity upon the president to govern
the Philippines until congress should
otherwise direct. Incidentally, he op-
posed the tariff proposed to be placed
OF Porto Rican products. He was op-
posed to holding the Philippines be
causs. under the law of nations we
have not title and never can have COM
pIete title except by conquest of the in
fabitants He said:
The constitution says you cannot
make = title of nobility; but we apply
that only TO the states, you under
stand. The distinguished senator from
New York Oepew) can be the Duke
OF Ponce, and not violate the const1-
tuition: the distinguished senator from
Indiana (Beveridge) the Prince of
Porto Rico and the distinguished law
ve:- wEo has sought to defend this bill
upon an unconstitutional ground
tSucurer) can at least demand the
title OF the Lord Chief High Duke OF
the check board some where in the
Philippines. that may sit in judgment
upon the laws and upon the people.
Laughtyl.J Does the constitution say
ygy cannot make Il title of nobility
Yes. Does it go into the outside terri
tory? No. Then you can make titles ol
nobility there. God help the man III
November who plays that game
Senator Culberson, of Texas, ther
spoke 1t was his first speech IN tht
senate. He characterized the bill as
.'indefensible morally, economically
and COnStitutiOnally.
The order for fifteen minute speecne:
or less then went into effect. Senator
Clay, OF Georgia, was the first speaker
He pointed out alleged lnconSlStencle'
of the supporters of the pending Dill
The original measure was diametr1cal
ly opposed in its provisions TO IN
pending bill, providing as 1t did Tor
a territorial form of government L
WAS also in keeping with the presi
dents message, for the president ha'
not only declared for free trade bu
he had also taken position for Ter
ritoriaI form of government.
Senator Ross, Vermont, argued Il
favor of the bill, but thought the fire
trade should be established as soon a
possible between the United states an
Porto Rico
senator Teller entered his protes
against the pending bill. He woul
vote against it, because the Unite
states ought to treat the people Q
Portp Rico as it was proposed TO trea
those OF Cuba.
Senator Wellington, OF Maryldh'
opposed the pending measure, afthoug
he said he had stood ready 20 Suppoi
the first bill presented TO the Senal
upon the subject. That bill ne regard
ed as lust and constitutional but
he said. the legislative monstrosit
now before us tranSgreSSes every prlf
cipie of national honor, patrlotlSn
good faith and justice.
Senator Foraker explained that tn
changes in the bill had been explaine
again and again. The necessity IL
the measure was beyond quibble.
Did that necessity" inquired Senf
tor TTIIman change the polite;
status of the people of Porto Rico for
citizens of the United States to cit
Zens of Porto Rico?
NO answered Senator Forake
THAT was not the reason. The reaso
for that change was the opposition
denocrtic senators. They maintaine
that the comforting of cltlzenshlp
the United States upon tne people
fhe island was a practical extension
the constitution over the island.
At o'clock the committee amen,
ments were adopted without division
Senator Davis, republican, OF MI
nesota, then offered his aInenoIne @
providing that mo duties on Impor
shsII after the passage of this act
levied or collected on any articles II II
ported from the United States IN
Porto Rico or from Porto RICO lnUo
limited States Senator DAVIS
manded the yeas and ays. The amen
ment was Iost-3O to 40. Two % 0Cl
amendments offered by Senator La
were defeated.
TRen Senator Nelson, repupllo-sI,