Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1900-04-13
WAS N0TS0CL0SE
Test Vote on the Porto Rican
Bill Showed a Safe Ma
jority
For Concurrence in Senate Amend
ments..-Eight Republicans
Vote No.
Only Democrat Voting With the
Majority Was Sibley of
Pennsylvania.

WASHINGTON, April 12.-The closing
struggle over the Porto Rico tariff bill
attracted great crowds to the galleries
and all the preparations indicated
field day replete with exciting incidents.
Excitement was at high pitch when
the speakers gavel fell, at noon. AS
soon as the reading of the journal was
concluded, Mr.. Dalzell pa one of. the
leaders of the majority and member
Of the committee on rules, presented
the special order under which the house
was to operate.
Upon the conclusion of the reading
of the rule, upon demand of Mr.. Dali
zell, the previous question Oh its adop-
ton was ordered. This gave 20 min
utes for debate OH each side under the
rules. Mr.. Dalzell said he would discuss
the rule briefly. On Feb. 2S the house
sent to the senate the Porto Rico tariff
bill. The amendments attached by the
senate furnished civil government for
the island. 1t was the opinion Of the
majority, he said, that these amend
ments should be concurred in. There
had been enough discussion on the sub.
ject, he said. What the country desired
was not debate, but action. Mr.. Rich
ardson, the minority leader, called at
tention to the fact that the rule would
permit the house to vote only upon II
single proposition. Mr.. Richardson
then made speech against the adop-
ton of the rule.
The Rule Adopted.
Mr.. Dalzell closed for the Rcpubli-
cans.
Mr.. Richardson was on his feet as
Mr.. Dalzell closed, with motion to re-
commit the rule with instructions to re-
port a new rule and substitute bill
providing for ''free trade between the
United States and Porto Rico.
"Second, civil government for the
territory Of Porto Rico, republican in
form.'
The speaker ruled that as the previous
question had been ordered on the rule,
Mr.. Richardson's motion was not in
order.
''Note, vote" came from many quar-
ters and the speaker beat lively tattoo
to secure order while the vote was
taken.
The viva voce vote was indecisive,
and to save time yea and nay vote
was taken Oh the adoption of the rule
The voting was followed with intense
interest. The "whips," Long and Un-
derwood, hovered about the desk, see
ing that every possible vote was re-
corded
The announcement Of the anoption of
the rule-ayes, 1853; noes, l42; present
and not voting, 11-was greeted with
salvos Of applause on the Republican
side. The large majority was gem
uine surprise. 1t was regarded as a
test vote. 1t was decided that the time
remaining, three and half hours,
should be equally divided between the
two sides, Mr.. Payne and Mr.. Richard
son to control the time on their re.
respective sides. Mr.. Payne yielded to
Mr.. Watson {Ind.) who opened the de-
bate.
The Republicans who voted against
the rule were Crumpacl1er of Indiana,
Heatwole Of Minnesota, Lane Of Iowa,
Littlefield Of Maine, Lorimer Of Illinois,
Mccall Of Massachusetts,, Fl. G. Smith
Of Michigan, Warner of Illinois.
The only Democrat voting for the
rule was Sibley Of Pennsylvania.