The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-20
APPLICATION TO PUERTO RICO
OF the Provisions Of that lime. honored
Document.
ISLAND POSSESSION IS ENTITLED TO II
Is the Contention of the Democrats,
Payne. Dnixeii and Richardson
Joined In the Discussion.

debate upon the Puerto Rican tariff bill,
which is to continue throughout the week
and possibly longer, opened In the house
| today. On all hands IL Is agreed that this
bill, although It applies only to Puerto
| Rico, involving as 1t does the question of
the power to govern our new possessions
outside the limitations Of the constitution.
is the most important measure which has
come before this congress. Interest In the
bill is intense among the members on
both sides, and there Is urgent demand for
time. The democrats are solidly arrayed
against the measure. aud thsy will have
powerful support frcm the republican side
in Mr.. Mccall (Mass) and Mr. Lltteheld
tMe.l both able and torceful debdters.
How far The republican dlsanection Will
extend. or whether It VIII eIdanger the
bill. 1t is impossible to say at this time,
| Mr.. Payne. the floor leader Of the ma
jority, refused to agree that vote should
be taken upon a substitute to be offered by
the minority. This substitute, which has
not yet been framed, viii be 10 substance
the bill originally Introduced By Mr.. Payne
providing tor free trade with Puerto Rico
by the extension OF the customs and reve-
nue. laws Of the United states over the
island. The debate today lacsed exciting
features Il was ia the nature OF long
range hombardment before the clash OF
rontending forces IN battle. Mr.. Payne
opened With n general argument 10 support
/ OF the bill. going largely ipll .he mate IA
side N the situation which the bill is
designed 10 relieve. Mr. Richardson the
democratic leader Joined issue upon the
power Of congress to enact the proposed
legislation AID MIR Dalzell PENN backed
up Mr. Payne With constitutional and
legal argument. All three were listened
TO with close attention.
Before the bill was called up Mr. Dolli-
yer Oowa), from the committee on ways
and means, moved the passage under sus-
pension OF the rules Of the Dill reported
from that committee to amend sections
$685. and 35il If the Revised statutes, re.
lating TO internal revenue tax on ferment-
ed liquors. The purpose of the bill, Mr..
Dolliver said, was TO abolish the smaller
packages OF beer, one-s,xth and one
eighth barrels. The bill. he said, was asked
for by the brewing interests OF the coun-
try, 1t would ia no wise affect the reye-
que.
Mr. Fletcher (Rep Minn) offered an
/, amendment providing that the bill should
amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Sulser Dem, n Y said he favored
the bill but that 1t was merely sop tt
the brewers, What they really wanted
was the abolition of the war taxes, III
< thought the war revenue should be re-
pealed. The republicans. he said. hat
, promised to do that when the war wa
= over but they bad made no move in tina
direction. He challenged the leaders oil
q the other side to gay when they proposed
y TO repeal that law which Is used to pill
: up money In the treasury to be ioanet
without interest TO National banks,
l. Mr.. Terry (Dem., Ark declared tina
II the republicans were using the war tax .
y exc out the deficiencies caused by tn
e. Dingley law which he said had prove
at most lamentable failure. The repub
Id leans leered this remark and continue
d, TO ieer when Mr.. Berry said that the "a
"a publicans dare not abolish their policy {
10 criminal aggression in the Philippines
ut because OF the secret understanding wit
Great Britain and for the same reaso
Of they dare not offer one word OF sym
II. paihy to the two republics struggling 10
rs liberty in South Africa.
IN Mr., Often (Wis.l, Mr. Bartholdt mo
lie and MIR. Babcock (Wis) urged the pas
J. sage Of the bill in justice to the brewer
a. me latter said that the brewers were car
NJ rying the greatest tax burden IN th
u country (paylng s72,o00oOO of taxes) an
ly were entitled TO consideration.
e. Mr.. Bartlett (Ga.l said the humble pee
of pie were asking relief from the war take
De and they should be listened to as we
g as the rich association of brewers VIII
A. paid heavy campaign contributions.
I'd The bill was passed without division
an Mr. Payne On W. floor leader Of tn
majority then suggested that the house &
e. into committee OF the whole to conside
he me Puerto Rico tarin hlll Mr.. payn
Il oiiered 10 make an agreement by whic
ed general debate should close on Saturdu
e. next, the bill to be taken up under IN
m five minute rule on Monday next and tn
a. maj vote to be taken at o'clock
Mt Richardson. the minority leader
insisted that there should be a aeinit
understanding that the minority could OF
Ter substitute. To this Mr. Payne de
e. clned TO agree.
AS matter Of privilege Mr.. Hit TN
reported back from the committee on foi
n eign anars the Wheeler resolution call
a. ing on the state department for informa
on ZION az to the truth Of the charges mad
:, hy Macrum. consul at Pretoria concern
ing the opening OF his mail by the BIRTHS
=, authorities aud it was adopted wlthol
o! debate.
an The house went into committee Of m
ys Whole with all questions relating 10 N
he close Of the debate open.
mn Mr., Payne, IN charge OF the bin onene
the debate With carefully prepared argr
ment N support Of the measure. lie IVA
listenea TO with marked attention II
OF said In part. This bill by its terms re-
be- lales only 70 the island OF Puerto Ric
DR.. IAN not h. taken as precedent OF an
ice legislative aciion IN reference TO the Phi
~ ipplne Islands when the present insure,
AZ lion should have been overcome. exeept
the so far as we assert In our view OF pow,
under the American Constitution. A
the agree that tho hrst and most importaI
at duty we owe 10 the people of Puerto ri,
IS TO open up foreign markets Tor ther
= IN no other way can VIC allay the, feslir
- OF dlseontent likely to arise amonx a %,
pif who have realized so little In Il
change from Spanish oppression OF 1
years to the prosperity and liberty while
a. follows the American nag''
VA Mr.. Richardson (Tenn.), the lsader
!, the minority, VIII followed Mr.. Payu
lie made the opening argument in opposItl.
TO the measure. II am not an alarmst
ssid he, "but In my judgment the psndlr
bill IL more dangerous to The liberties
~ the PEOPLE OF this Republic than any mea
,ire before seriously presented TO t
;, American congress II will prove mo
lie far reaching in Its provisions and disa