The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-27
GRANTED A TINE EXTENSION.
No Compromise Made in the Porto
Rican Bill Matter.

Washington, Feb. 26.-The general de-
bate on the Porto Rican tariff bin in the
House to-day was extended until to-mor-
row night, on announcement of Mr.. Payne
of New York, the floor leader that no
compromise had been made with The dis
satisfied Republicans The speakers to-
day were Messrs. Boutell of Illinois,
Brown of Ohio, Mondell of Wyoming,
Graham of Pennsylvania, and Reeder of
Kansas, for the bill; and Messrs. Bartlett
of Georgia, Lanham of Texas, Moon OF
Tennessee, Williams of Illinois. Johnston
of West Virginia Sutherland of Nebraska,
Jet of illinois, Noonan of Illinois. and
Wilson of Arizona, against it.
When Mr. Payne proffered the request
for the extension of time, MIR. Richardson,
the Democratic leader. said
This is a remarkable request to come
from the majority. We construe il to oe
a frank and candid confession that they
have brought here a bad bill and an ad-
mission in open house to the country that
they have not votes enough to pass it,"
The Democrats, he continued, were al
ways magnanimous. They would not
strike their foes when they were down.
He demanded, however, as condition to an
extension night session tomorrow night
and permission to offer a substitute in
the House on Wednesday, when the final
vote was 10 be taken. With these "con>
dltions," he remarked, blandly, the MI
nority would grant the "entreaty' OF the
majority
Mr.. Payne smilingly replied that not
to be outdonel in magnanimity he would
agree to the conditions.
Mr.. Bartlett of Georgia then took the
floor with a half hours speech against the
bill He laid down as an elementary prin-
ciple of international law, that whenever
a country, whether empire, monarchy or
republic, acquired territory by con-
quest, purchase, or treaty, that
territory became a part of such coun-
try and subject to her laws. He pointed To
the Supreme Court for consolation on the
constitutional question in case the bill
passed.
Mr.. Lanham of Texas declared that the
Porto Ricans were either Americans or
aliens. There could be no such thing as
separating and dividing the immunities
and privileges of American citizenship.
Mr.. Moon of Tennessee was opposed to
the bill. Mr.. Boutell of Illinois followed
in advocacy of the bill. The people of
Porto Rico, he said, had certain fundainen-
tai rights, but not the rights of Amerl-
can citizenship.
The fundamental rights of American
citizens. he argued, would be endangered
If the inhabitants of territory acquired
by conquest, or perhaps involuntarlly. as
a result of war came into full fellowship
with our people without the consent of
the latter. He was opposed he said, to
admitting the Porto Ricans and the Fill
pinos 10 free competition with American
labor. 1t ill-became the other side Mr.
Boutell said, to taunt the Republicans
with Imperialism. The Democratic party
was the only party that had sold Ameri-
can territory to a foreign monarchy In
1919 Democratic administration, against
the protest of the people of Texas, sold
SS0,OOO square miles of territory with the
people on 1t TO the King of Spain
Great GodI" said Mr.. Boutell, Elf we
exercised the prerOgatives of an earthly
empire, the Democratic party exercised
the prerogatives of the Almighty"
Mr.. Sutherland, Populist, of Nebraska.
declared that the anti-imperialists were
anxious to join their opponents upon the
issue. The people, he said, would rally
to the standard of the great Nebra skan
who, In 1898, had announced that imperial
ism would endanger the life of the repub-
dc. There was no disposi ton TO dodge the
issue. The platform of 1896 would be re-
affirmed with the Declaration of indie
pendence added.
After other speeches, the House, at $40
p. M, adjourned.