Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-03-08
I'm AID Of PUERTO RICO
House Passes Bill Giving Il Benefit
Of Duties on Its Products.
IT COMES AS A SURPRISE.



pected message from the president Fri
day recommending that $1,000 900 of
customs duty collected on imports
from Puerto Rico since the Spanish
evacuation be devoted to the relief of
the Puerto Ricans and Mr.. Cannon's
dramatic introduction Of bill to carry
out that recommendation, with a re-
quest for consent for immediate con-
sideration, fairly took the democrats
OF their feet. and before they recover
ed their equilibrium consent had been
given and the bill was before the
house. A fierce political skirmish OF
an hour ensued.
Under the lead of Mr.. Bailey Of
Texas, who said that II he had known
what the bill contained he should have
objected to its consideration, the dem
ocrats generally arrayed themselves in
opposition to the bill, but 1t was passed
after three roll-calls had been had.
The vote was 162 yeas to 107 nays, ten
democrats, two populists and two sill
verites voting with the republicans
for II.
After the chaplain's prayer the mes
sage from the president was read, as
follows:
ITO the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives: "Since the evacuation Of
Porto Rico by the Spanish forces on
the 18th day Of October. 1898, the
United States has collected on prod
ucts coming from that island to the
ports Of the United States the duties
fixed by the Dingley act and amount
ing to $2.0s5. 455.ss. and will continue
to collect under said law until congress
shall otherwise direct. Although
had the power, and having in mind
the best interests OF the people OF the
island, used 1t to modify duties on
goods and products entering into Porto
Rico, did not have the power to remit
or modify duties on Porto Rico prod
ucts coming into the ports OF the
United States. In view OF the press
ing necessity for immediate revenue
in Porto Rico for conducting the gov
eminent there and for the extension
of public education, and in view, also,
of the provisional legislation just in
augurated by the house Of representa-
tives, and for the purpose OF making
the principle embodied in that legisla-
ton applicable to the immediate past
as well as to the immediate future,
recommend that the above sum so col
lected, and the sums hereafter collect
ed under existing law, shall, without
waiting for the enactment of the gen.
eral legislation now pending, be appro-
priated for the use and benefit of the
island. WILLIAM MKINLEY."
The air was at once charged with
the electricity Of a fierce political fight.
Mr.. Richardson Of Tennessee was on
his feet, and when the applause which
republicans gave at the close of the
reading ceased he shouted. stretching
his long arm toward the republican
side:
II hope the recommendation will
meet with favor on that side"
Mr.. Cannon was in the aisle waving
an oficial-looking paper in his hand,
shaking his head, and speaking with
indignation In his tones.
"We'l see IL 1t meets with favor on
that side," he said. "Mr Speaker,
ask unanimous consent for the imme-
diate consideration of the bill which
send to the clerks desk"
The bill was read, appropriating ST.
095. 455.0S, the amount of customs in
the United States collected on Puerto
Rican products in this country, for the
relief Of the people OF that island to
Jan. 1, 1900, and authorizing the same
use Of such subsequent customs col
lected under existing law until con-
gress otherwise orders.
Before reaching vote on the passage
Of the bill roll calls were had on Or
dering the previous question-carried
14S to 119-and on a motion by Mr..
Bailey to commit the bill with instruc-
tioDs to report 1t amended by limiting
the appropriation to the amount now in
the treasury and specifying the object
for which the president might expend
dedicated 125 to 152. The bill was
passed by a vote of 162 to 107. The fol-
lowing members Of the minority voted
for the bill:
Democrats = Cochran of Missouri
Cummings of New York, Davey OF
Louisiana, Devries Of California, Fitz-
gerald Of Massachusetts,, Livington OF
Georgia, Meekison Of Ohio, Sibiey OF
Pennsylvania. Thayer OF Massachu-
sets, and Wilson of South Carolina.
Populists-Bell OF Colorado, Ridgeley
| of Kansas.
Silverites = Shafroth Of Colorado
| Wilson of Idaho.
After considering the contested cleo
ton case of Aldrich VS.. Robbins from
the fourth district Of Alabama the
house adjourned.
In the senate the Foraker bill pro-
yiding a territorial government for
Puerto Rico was considered, and Sena-
tor Foraker explained that the tariff
provision embodied in the bill was
placed there for two reasons. First, to
provide revenue for the government OF
the island without resorting to direct
taxation; and, second, to raise the con-
stitutional question as to the power OF
congress to impose duties upon imports
from the islands acquired from Spain
Mr.. Teller discussed the bill briefly
The senate will not enter upon the gen,
eral debate upon this bill until next