The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-02-19
Wal be Considered in Both
Branches of Congress.
PROGRAMME FOR WEEK
PORTO RICAN TARIFF BILL TO
RECEIVE ATTENTION.
House Democrats Have Hopes of De
feating the Measure-Will Re
ceiVe support From Some Repub-
Observation-Disclosures of Form of
Government For Hawaii.

Washington. Feb. S.-The house tOmor-
row viii enter upon the consideration Of
the Porto Rican tariff bin and the de-
bate upon il promises TO be memorable.
Inc vital question at issue is whether
that clause of the constitution providing
LOT equality Of impOst ana excise taxes
throughout United States territory eX-
tends over the island of Porto Rico. and
IN this is involved perhaps the deter
minatlon Of the future status and gov
eminent OF our new possessions.
Inc Republicans in framing the bill have
proceeded upon the theory that the con-
StItuuOn and its immunitieS do not eX-
tend over Porto Rico. The Democrats
are SOHQlE arrayed upon the other side
ana IN committee they were Joined by
one Republican. Mr.. Cali of MasSachu-
sets. among the other Republicans who
take the same view is Mr. LittlefieId of
ley.
The support of these two prominent Re
puDllcdnS has raised some hopes i'm the
opposition that they may be able to de-
feat the BILL although this hardly seems
pIObaDie at this writing. Both sides are
preparing Tor royal struggle. Mr..
Payne the floor leader of the majority,
viii open in support of the bill. He will
be followed by Mr. Richardson the min
GRITTY leader Mr.. Bailey Of Texas will
close Tor the minority. The debate will
continue throughout the week. The vote
In the Senate.
The attention of the senate this week
VIII be given largely to the relations of
the United States to its insular possess
sions. The bin providing a form of
government for the Hawaiian islands has
right of way and If il should be so for
tunate as to be finally acted upon before
the close Of the week. the Porto Rican
bill VIII be Immediately taken up.
me probabilities are that the Hawaiian
Dill viii be debated at cOnsidera BILE length
and that many amendments will be offer
ed 90 il, and il may be made the basis of
more or less general talk on the question
OF the policy to be pursued towards the
new possessions. Considerable time prob
aDIy Will be necessary TO the final dis
DOsal Of the bill
An admit the urgency of legislation
giving the HaWaiians a government but
there are some points on which there are
radical differences of opinion The most
important of these is the question as to
whether the commercial intercourse be-
tween the United States and the islands
snail be under tariff OF under the free
trade system allowed between the states
OF the Union.
Eight Against Free Trade.
The bill provides for free trade. but
several Of the senators, under the leader
snip Of Senator Plat of Connecticut are
making an effort to secure radical amend
mentS IN this respect. Senator CuIlOm
in charge of the bill viii resist and he
VIII be supported by some Republicans
and nearly all the Democratic members.
Practically the same fight viii be made
on the Porto Rican bill
On Wednesday Senator Lodge will de-
liver prepared speech on the Philip
pine situation, and Senator Kenney will
deliver set speech on that question on
Tuesday.
Inc conference report on the currency
Dill VIII likely be brought in during the
week and if so. everything else will be
laid aside for its consideration. A very
short debate Is expected over this report
When made The diplomatic apprODria-
ton bin may be considered during the
week.