Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-26
PORTO RlCAN TARIFF
The House to Have Another Day Of
Debate.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN PAYNE
Vote on the Bill VIII Be Taken
Wednesday,
MANY EAKERS TO-DAY

The House met at II o'clock today to re-
sumo the debate on the Porto Rican tariff
bill There were few members upon the
floor, but the leaders on both sides were
active. Mr.. Payne IN. -. the floor leader
announced that no compromise had been
made with the dissatisfied republicans and
that there would be a conference tonight.
The leaders have decided to extend the
general debate another day.
When MIR. Payne preferred the request
for the extension of time Mr.. Richardson,
the democratic leader, said:
This is remarkable request to come
from the majority. We construe it to be
frank and candid confession that they have
brought here a bad bill and an admission in
open House to the country that they have
not votes enough TO pass it,
The democrats, he continued, We're always
magnanimous. They would not strike their
foes when they were down, and they were
not disposed to take advantage of the pit
liable situation on the other side of the
aisle. Still they felt that some terms should
be imposed and he demanded as conditions
to an extension night session tomorrow
night and permission to offer substitute in
the House on Wednesday, when the final
vote was to be taken. With these "condi-
tions.' he remarked blandly the minority
WOulu grant the entredty' or the majority.
Mr.. Payne smilingly replied that he ap
p-eciated the 'generosity'' of the other side,
and not to be outdone In magnanimity he
would agree to the conditions.
MIR. Bartlett Opposes the Bill.
Mr.. Bartlett tGa.) then took. the floor with
a half hours speech against the bill. He
laid down as an elementary principle of in
ternational law that whenever a country,
whether empire. monarchy or republic, ac-
qured territory by conquest, purchase or
treaty. that territory became part of such
country and subject to her laws.
There was one consolation, he said, for
those who believed this bill was unconsti-
tutional. Whatever this Congress might do,
however they might trim down, shade or
override the sections os the Constitution,
there was a court which was the greatest
that ever sat upon bench, and it would.
If guided by prior decisions Of that grand
tribunal, hold to the indestructible prin-
ciples of the Constitution, which We're our
only safety and hope for the perpetuauon
MIR. Lanham Again.t 1t.
Mr.. Lanham CTex.) in opposing the bill
declared that the Porto Rscans were either
Americans or aliens. There could be no
such a thing as separating and dividing
the immunities and privileges of American
citizenship. The inhabitants of the island,
free trade with the United States. If an
IMPERIAL policy was set up it could but end
in the downfall of the republic.
''As patriotic American" he concluded,
"ould not nave my country shlrk any
proper responsibility or evade a duty to it
self or those whom the fortunes of war
have placed within its care and protection.
l earnestly desire that it should discharge
every honorable obligation. 1t cannot af-
ford to do wrong Its conscience must be
preserved ha tod tn
its perfect and lnchoate citizens. National
character and plighted faith must be main
tanned"
Mr.. Moon Tenn) also opposed the bill.
Mr.. BouteII Fayors the Bill.
Mr.. Boutell Qll.) followed in advocacy of
the measure. He called attention to the
widely diverse opinions of its opponents.
Mr. Bromwell (Ohio) thought it bad fiscal
measure, but sound constitutionally; Mr..
Mccall thought it good fiscal measure.
but unconstitutional; but it remained for
the gentleman from Maine (dr. Litt1efield),
with the Irresistible torrents of his elo-
quence, to make the discovery that it was
bad In every particular. financially, consti
tutlonaliy, morally, spiritually and politi
cally. In his opposition, said Mr.. Boutell.
he had cried out for divine guidance, thank
ing God that he was not as other men were.
proceeding MIR. Boutell took up the testi-
means committees to show that the people
OF Porto Rico were utterly unprepared for
self-goVernment. They had certain funda-
mental rights but not the rights of Amer
lean citizenship
The Fundamental rights of American cit-
liens, he argued, would be endangered II
the inhabitants of territory acquired by
conquest or perhaps involuntarily, a re-
suit or 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 Filipinos to free COM
petition with American labor. He was in
favor OF doing justice to those people, but
We must not do wrong to ourselves. Mr..
Bouteli SAID he would not support the bill ii
1t Were to be made permanent measure.
1t Ill became the other side, he said, to
taunt the republicans with Imperialism.
The democratic party was the only party
eign monarch. In 1919 a democratic admin
istration against the protest of the people
of Texas sold 5000 square miles of terri
tory. with the people on 1t, to the King OF
Spain. Mr. Boutell exclaimed: IF we ex-
ercised the prerogatives Of an earthly en-
pire the democratic party exercised the pre-
negatives of the Almighty"
Mr.. Williams Qii.) opposed the bill. In
the course of his remarks he said the Pres
ident and Mr.. Littlefieid were in accord
with each other on the Porto Rican tariff
bill. and he suggested the gentleman from
Maine as good running mate on the ticket
with Mckinley.
But he has no barrel" observed a DEM
ocrat.
He has barrel of brains" retorted Mr..
Williams.
Would you vote for your vice presiden-
1iai candidate!' asked Mr.. Cannon QIl)
II voted the republican ticket" replied
Mr. Williams, Il would find some consola-
ton Tor the crime IN voting for the gentle
man from Maine. Democratic applause)
~ hnere M is 5000 deal of democracy in what