The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-03-10
Lively Debate
TN be Senate.


civil government bill began in the SEN
ate today and continued uninterrup-
teddy for four and a half hours The
principal speakers were Mr.. Foraker
90. in charge of the measure, and Mr..
Pettus CDem., Ala), but at various
times during the debate lively colloquys
times during the debate lively colleagues
participants.
After Mr. Mason Glls.) had entered
his motion to discharge the committee
on foreign relations from further con-
sideration Of a resolution expressing
sympathy for the Beers and it had
gone over until tomorrow under the
rule, Mr.. Pettus delivered a carefully
prepared speech in opposition to the
pending bill. Mr.. Foraker occupied the
floor during the remainder of the ses-
sion, speaking in defense of the bill
MIR. Pettus (Ala.) was first to adj
dress the senate on the Porto Rican
bill He congratulated the president
on the position he had taken in his last
annual message favOring free trade be-
tween the United States and Porto
Rico.
No sordid politicians fingers had
been put into the ink OF that message,
he SAID. The president was honest
and sincere when he distinctly advised
free trade between the United States
and the island Of Porto Rico
The public press is now trying to
make us believe the secretary Of war
is the author of the pending bill and
that the president has acceded to the
provisions Of the measure. For one, |
refuse to believe this charge against
the president. Though he may desire
reelection, he was a brave soldier and
is an able and generous man. For him
IL is not everything in life to be re-
elected to the presidency of his party.
lie has acted for the common good of
all the people. If he approves your
bill then l may believe any vile story
against any good man
Mr.. Pettus called attention to the
amendment proposed by Mr. Davis.
which, he said, was most interesting
specimen Of the products of inventive
genius
The senator proposes" said Mr. Pet
tus, TO send over to the Porto Ricans
the constitution in instalmentS-a lit
tie now and little then"
Mr.. Morgan gave notice of his inten-
ton tc move to lay the entire substi-
tute for the senate committee for the
house bill on the table
Mr.. Foraker, in charge of the pend
ing bill, replied to Senator Pettus. Ad-
verting to the criticism aroused by the
bill, both in the newspapers and among
the people, Mr.. Foraker said that so far
DIS he had been informed. no intelligent
and appreciative man in Porto Rico
had diSSented from the propositions of
the measure. There may have been
some criticism on the part Of the Porto
Ricans. but generally it was accepted
as an excellent bill.
Mr. Lindsay inquired if Governor
General Davis bi1,-sa1r no not y-o.o,,,
mended free trade with Porto Rico.
Yes, replied Mr.. Foraker, he did
make such a recommendation, but the
committee, after full consideration. de-
cided against his proposition. We are
to legislate for the whole United States
and we were forced to consider the
question from all points Of view The
tariff provision was conceived in mercy
to the Porto Ricans. and in its gene
rosity it is without precedent in the
territorial legislation Of the United
States.
Mr.. Foraker explained the provisions /
oi the bill showing that all the internal |
revenue taxes and the customs duties. /
instead Of being paid into the United /
States treasury. as had been the case I
in every other territory. would go into !
the treasury of the island and be solely |
for the benefit Of the Porto Ricans. In |
.
gregate 1000, 600. about 81, 100000 from |
customs and 100000 from internal rev. |
enue
Nj. Gallinger interjected the remark |
that it was proposed to eXpend 81 900 600 |
for school houses on the island. and a
like sum for the construction Of roads.
Yes. continued Mr.. Foraker. we
propose TO do that and we propose in .
that connection to provide the inhabit
nor. ll1N no 4
Continuing the Ohio senator said that /
after all means of raising revenues had
been considered it was found neces-
sary to provide at least 81 600. 900 more
per annUm. Then it was proposed to
levy a duty on p per cent of the Ding
icy law on products Of the island i'm
ported into this country and to turn
the amount so raised back 10 Porto
Rico.
The senator admits" said Mr.
Davis. interrupting, that this handing
back of revenues to a political sub
division Of the United States is I'M
Dreeedented. Then, why not raise the
revenue as usual and, if necessary to
relieve distress in Porto Rico. provide
he relief 10y a direct approximation
from the United States treasury?
The United States has never under
taken TO support local government in
any territory replied Mr.. Foraker.
The situation in Porto Rico is anomal-
GUS If the island is to have schools.
good roads and public Improvements
Z must get them through taxation and
such taxation as is proposed in the
Dill"
Mr. Foraker became involved in
,Onoquy with Mr.. Hoar as to the con-
'titutonal right Of congress to levy a
iuty on products from a territory Of
he United States i'm which the Ohio
senator declared that the provisions of
he constitution referred to had no APP
)lcatiOn i'm the case Of Porto Rico.
Mr.. Hoar continued to press the point
md Mr.. Foraker finally declared that
he law book stage" and had become
me of justice and humanity.
Mr. Hoar-That is the senator's
nsWer?
NO it is not" retorted Mr.. Foraker
warmly. Il answered the senator's
question and the persistence with
which the senator presses it shows that
lie does not want to accept the answer.
might stand here and quote decisions
# the supreme court until the last
Porto Rican had starved and it would
ave no effect upon senators who diff
cred from me This contention abs
zen going on for TWO years and ii VIII
ave to be determined ultimately by
he supreme court
Mr.. Foraker discussed the probab ility
hat this government would be asked by
Their powers for an open door in the
and declared that il was ,
n important and perhaps imminent
contingency. Of which account would
ave 10 be taken. We wanted trade in /
he Orient, and after we demanded an
ntrance 20 China, We must grant one t
q the Philippines. He thought the c
philippines could not be dealt with as 1
was proposed 10 deal with Porto f
.ico.