New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-16
PRESIDENT WILL SIGN IT.
ASSURANCES GIVEN THAT A PUERTO
RICAN TARIFF BILL WILL NOT
BE VETOED.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIsUNE.l

Washington. Feb 15-Some doubt has re-
Gently existed in the minds Of Republican mem
bers Of the House Of Representatives respecting
the attitude and disposition of the President in
regard to the pending bill 10 provide tariff
for Puerto Rico. or course. 1t was felt desirable
indeed. necessary-to know whether the Ex-
ecutive would adhere so firmly TO the opinion
expressed in his annual message in favor Of re-
moving all tariff restrictions on the trade of
Puerto Rico as 10 enbarrass the effort 10 pass
the pending measure through Congress, or to
disapprove it if passed.
Chairman Payne and Messrs Grosvenor and
Dalzen had a conference with the President to-
day, and the matter was discussed and consid-
cred in all its bearings Three propositions Of
an alternative nature were taken into considera-
ton 1t being admitted on all hands that means
must be provided from some source to carry on
the functions OF any government in Puerto
Rico, and TO build roads and provide and main
tain public schools what plan should be adopted?
The propositions were TO authorize any govern
ment that may be created to borrow money. to
make an appropriation OF a sufficient sum for
the purpose from the National Treasury, TO
raise such sum by a duty on imports as pro-
vided by the pending bill
After a free Interchange Of views the Repre-
sentatives left the White House satisfied that
while the President still adhered to the views
message n would
urge them upon Congress in a manner 10 en-
barrass the proposed legislation. and that he
would sign the pending measure if it should be
sent TO him for his approval. That IN sub
stance, was what many Republican members Of
the House. including the Speaker had under
stood to be the Presidents position before to-
days conference was held. but nose authori-
tative statement respecting his views was
deemed desirable.
One important consideration which II is un-
derstood has had much weight with the Presi-
dent is that Puerto Rico If the pending bill
should pass, would receive the benefit not only
OF the revenues collected in the island custom
houses, but also OF the gross revenue collected
in the United States on goods imported from
Puerto Rico.
WEAKENING THE OPPOSITION.
It is expected thaI the result of to-day's in
terchange of views between the President and
Chairman Payne and his Republican colleagues
VIII be 10 disspate 10 a great extent the symp-
toms of opposition TO the Tariff bill which have
recently appeared among some OF the RepubIi-
can members of the House 1t will not how
ever, remove all the opposition. for there are
few members who take the position assumed
by Mr.. Mccall Of Massachusetts, which is based
on substantially the same grounds as that Of
the Democratic members OF the Ways and
more than three or four Republican mem bers
who share Mr.. McCaIIs views, so far as can be
ascertalned, but several others are engaged in
independent Investigations Of the subject, and
meanwhile reserve any expression Of opinion.
1t is understood that Mr.. LitrIedeld. Of Maine
agrees with Mr.. Mccall and will vote against
the bill unless his views undergo a change be-
fore the debate on the bill ends
The published statement that four Republican
Representatives from Illinois. three from Ind
lana, two from Maine. one from Mary
land, one from Ohio, two from California and
one from North Dakota we're opposed 10 the bill
and would pToba bly, vote against il was o1es-
toned to-day in many quarters although il was
pretty generally admitted that there was some
foundation for IL The Republican leaders who
mad investigated it, however. appeared 70 feel
confident that whatever opposition may now
exist VIII be disslpated 10 such extent under
the light Of discussion that the prospects of the
II is regarded as probable that several Demo
Gratis VIII vote for the measure in the House.
PUERTO RICANS FOR FREE TRADE.
The Puerto Ricans who are in Washington
are Jealous in their opposition TO the bill. and
one OF them-Sehor Juncos. who is described as
the Finance Minister Of Puerto Rico when
the war broke out-asserted to-day that the
island practically enjoyed free trade with
spain until the latter ceded her sovereignty to
the United States. This assertion is disproved
by the facts published in The Tribune TODAY all
nIentS accessible to every body who is Interested
IN the subject. SenOr Juncos, indeed adn7irs
some OF the facts and is silent as TO the others
As 10 those he admits he asserts thar rbav
would have ceased 10 exist on December ri
1898, II the war had not interviewed That how
ever Is not the question If Spain was ever about
70 reverse her settled policy in regard TO Puerto
R1can trade, SenOr Juncos ought to be able IN
present tangible evidence Of the fact
GEN. HARRISON THE VICTIM OF HIS VALET.