New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-27
ANOTHER DAY OF DEBATE.

against the BILL but they aroused comparatively
little interest.
ANOTHER DAY OF DEBATE.
The House met at II o'clock to-day TO resume
tie debate on the Puerto Rican Tariff bill Mr..
Payne the Republican leader, announced that no
compromise had been made with the dissatisfied
Republicans, and that there would be another CON-
ference tonight. The leaders had decided 10 ex-
tend the general debate another day.
When Mr.. Payne made the request for extension
of time. Mr.. Richardson, the Democratic leader.
said:
majority. We construe 1t TO be frank and candid
sna s amsson IN open House To the Country
that they have not votes enough to pass it.
The Democrats he continued. were always mag
unanimous They would strike their foes when
they were down, and they were not disposed TO
take advantage Of the pitiable situation the
other side OF the aisle STILL they felt that some
terms should be imposed. and he demanded as con-
ditions TO an extension night session tomorrow
and permission 10 offer a substitute in the House
On Wednesday when the final to be
taken. With these conditions" he remarked
blandly the minority would grant the "entreaty'
Of the majority
Mr.. Payne srnilingly replied that he appreciated
the generosity of the other side, and. not be
oDtdone in magnannlity, he would agree to the con-
dtions.
MFR. Bartlett, of Georgia. then spoke against the
bill. He asserted elementary principle of In
ternational law that whenever a country. whether
empire. monarchy republic. acquired territory
by conquest. purchase treaty. that territory
became a part of such country and subject to her
laws.
Mr. Lanham of Texas, in opposing the BILL de-
clared that the Puerto Ricans were either Ameri-
cans or aliens. There could be such thing as
separating and dividing the immunities and privi-
1eges Of American citizenship The inhabitants of
the island. he insisted, were entitled TO unre-
stricted free trade with the United States.
Mr.. Moon. Of Tennessee, also opposed the bill
Mr.. BouteI Of Illinois. followed in advocacy Of
the bill. He called attention TO the widely diverse
opinions OF fits opponents Mr. Cromwell thought
IL had fiscal measure, but sound constitutionally;
Mir. Mccall thought II good fiscal measure but
unconstitutional but IL remained for the gentleman
from Maine Cdr. Littlehed). with the irresistible
torrents of his eloquence, to make the discovery
that 1t bad in every particular financially
const.tutionally morally. spiritually and politically
MI BouteIl took up the testimony before the In
sular and Weys and Means committees to show
that the people Of Puerto Rico were utterly urpre=
pared for self-government They had certain fun
damental rights. but not the rights of American
citizenship The fundamental rights of citizens he
argued, would be endangered If the Inhabitants of
territory acquired by conquest perhaps in
voluntarily a result Of war. came into full fell
iowship with people without the consent of the
latter He opposed. he said, to admitting the
Puerto Ricsns and the FIlipinos to free competi-
ton with American labor. He was in favor of
Gong 2nsncg 70 taese people; put We must not 90
support the bill if 1t were TO be made permanent
measure.
Mr. Williams, OF Illinois. opposed the bill In the
Of his remarks he said that the President
and Mr.. Littleheld were in accord with each other
the Puerto Rican Tariff BILL and he suggested
the gentleman from Maine good running
the ticket with Mckinley.
But ne has barrel" observed Democrat.
HE has barrel Of brains retorted Mr.. Will
Jams.
Would you vote for your Vice-Presidential can
oidateT' asked Mr. Cannon.
IF I voted the Republican ticket" replied Mr.,
Williams. II would find some consolation for the
crime IN voting for the gentleman from Maine
Democratic applause) There is a good deal OF
Democracy in what he breaches"
Mr.. Brown, of Ohio, supported the bill. He be-
leyed that home industries should be protected
against the competition Of Puerto Rico. The effect
OF this bill the island of Puerto Rico was OF
comparatively little importance But the principle
involved was Of the greatest importance when
made applicable to the Philippines.
disposed TO believe that both sentiment and eX-
pediency demanded free trade with Puerto Rico
but the real issue involved in the bill whether
Puerto Rico was constitutionaly part of the
United States. On that issue he was emphatically
with the committee.
Mr. Sutherland of Nebraska, and Messrs. Jett
Of Illinois; Johnston, of West Virginia, and
Noonan of Illinois spoke briefly against the
measure. The latter devoted himself to the consti-
tuticnai question involved Mr.. Reeder, OF Kansas
Mr. Graham, OF Pennsylvania, and Mr. Wilson, OF
Arizona. closed the debate for to-day, the TWO
former in support and the latter in opposition &c
the hlll.
Al 40 2 m. the House adjourned.