The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-27

adding the free list named by the Presi-
dent in an executive order TO the exports
going from the United States to Porto Rico
duty free, but that the Is per cent. of the
Dingley law carried in the House bill on
goods coming from Porto Rico to the
United States would be retained. The vote
by which this instruction was given was
taken viva voce, no record being made, but
IL was evident that a substantial majority
approved the proposition. Quite number
of senator's had left the caucus before this
vote was taken, but the position Of each
senator was understood.
THE SO-CALLED REBELS"
There are a number of senators who will
oppose the bill, even with the amendment
recommended. They are. it is stated. Sen
ators Davis, Beveridge. Hoar. Wellington,
Mason, Simon, Proctor and Nelson. II Is
also said that Senators Kyle. who hereto
fore acted with the Republicans, and Nc
Cumber. of North Dakota, will not vote
for the House bill unamended, but 1t is be-
lieved they will vote for the amended
proposition. Two senator's named in the
list of the eight first given are cl lmed by
friends of the tariff measure as almost
sure TO vote for the amended bill, leaving
six Republicans who will vote finally
against the measure. 1t Is claimed that
two or three votes will be secured for the
tariff measure from the ranks of the oppo-
sition parties in the Senate. and that in
this way a majority will be secured.
While there has been great deal of dis
cussion among senator's as to what the
House will do when the amended bill is
sent over there. and many conferences be-
tween the senator's and members of the
ways and means committee, the only re-
suit has been decision that the Senate
must act as seems best under the circum-
stances, and the bill, IL IL passes. must take
it's chances in the House. Some members
of the ways and means committee advised
this course to-day, at the same time urging
speedy action. and this view found express
sion in the caucus, the statement being
made that delay was more dangerous than
anything else, and that the country and
Porto Rico ought to know soon what to ex-
pect. Apparently there was no disposition
among the free-trade senators present at
the caucus to delay vote on the BILL
though no agreement was reached for an
immediate vote.
FORAKER'S STATEMENT.
Among the senators who addressed the
caucus were Messrs. Foraker, Allison, Gull
lom, Chandler. Quarles, Davis, Wellington
and Lodge. The proceedings were opened
with a statement by Senator Foraker de-
failing the proceedings OF the harmony
committee" He told at length of the ef-
forts Of the committee to secure conces-
sions from representatives of all factions
and of the committees conferences with
members Of the House ways and means
committee, and also recited the various
amendments which had been suggested
with a view to securing harmony. He said
that with reference to each and all of these
amendments objections were met from one
source or another. The free-trade element
were apparently irreconcilably opposed to
the House tariff measure, while leading Re-
publicans of the House had assured the
committee that any amendment of the
House bill would endanger the measure at
that end of the Capitol. In view Of the
condition of affairs in the House, Mr.. For
aker expressed the opinion that it would
be wise to pass the House bill without
modification, and he appealed eloquently
to all elements to unite for this purpose
with a determination to pass the civil gov
with such amendments as would concede
much that the free-traders sought to Sc
cure. Among the amendments looking to
this end, which he recited as possible of
enactment. was one for the continuation
of the present free list, which would prac-
tically secure the admission Of all neces-
saries, such as breadstuffs and clothing.
into Porto Rico free Of duty. This arrange
ment would meet the demands of the poor
er classes. He also suggested the possibil-
ity Of an amendment leaving the Porto
Rican authorities, to be constituted by the
civil government bill. to say when any duty
which might be imposed should be re-
moved. These and other amendments
would, however, he said. necessarily go on
the civil government bill because of the
probable unwillingness of the House to ac-
cept notifications of it's tariff measure.
TWO RESOLUTIONS.
Senator Gallinger offered a resolution di-
recting the separation of the House tariff
bill from the Senate governmental bill,
and supported the resolution with a
speech
This move was met by counter resolu-
ton, offered by Senator Wellington, pro-
ment bill with a free trade provision in
stead of the tariff provision of the House.
The discussion proceeded on the basis
of these two motions. No new points of
importance were brought out. The free
traders expressed themselves as very de-
sirous Of securing party harmony, but in
timated very plainly that to do so 1t would
be necessary to come to their terms, be-
cause as they said, of their conviction that
the imposition of any duty meant material
losses to the Republican party in next falls
election.
Mr.. Davis read and explained at some
length the amendment introduced by him
in the Senate to-day providing for the rails
ing Of TIE necessary revenue by purely
internal revenue system. He quoted figures
from Governor General Davis In support of
his position that the internal revenue sys-
tenn would be sufficient to meet the de-
inands for revenue for the conduct of the
government OF the island. He said there
was feeling throughout the country for
free trade with Porto Rico. and said this
feeling was not a mere ephemeral senti-
ment. but was based on a proper demand
for right and justice.
Senator Cullom spoke in a conciliatory
manner. indicating a personal leaning to-
wards the free trade sentiment, but giving
IT as his opinion that an agreement should
be reached on some basis which would