New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-21
PUERTO RICAN DEBATE.
NO FALLING OFF OF INTER
EST IN THE HOUSE.
NEITHER PARTY WILL PRESENT A SOLID
FRONT ON THE VOTE THREE
SPEECHES YESTERDAY.
[sr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrsUSE-I

washington, Feb. 2O.-Unabated interest was
shown in the debate the Puerto Rican Tarin
bill In the House OF Representatives to-day II
has been long time since Congress has had to
deal with heavier responsibilities or more novel
and Important questions OF legislation, and the
members of that body seem to realize the fact
Never before within the memory OF the men
longest in public service have the arguments for
against any pending measure OF legislation
exhibited stronger evidence OF care and thor
oughness of preparation. and never before have
they been addressed to more receptive audiences
PARTY LINES TO BE BROKEN
Unless all present indications wholly mis-
leading. neither OF the great parties viii show .
solid front when the vote on the bill IS taken.
Some Democrats will vote for II and some
against it-how many is yet undetermined
Some Republicans who felt sure forty-eight
hours ago that they would vote in the negative
are already wavering have gone over to the
other side and some Democrats who felt sure
that they could not vote for the bill are now
"wabbIing" as one Democrat expressed IT to-
day. or have decided to vote in the Affirmative
These facts and conditions make it unusually
difficult TO forecast the result, but 1t is apparent
already that the bill has gained support since
the debate began
This is especially so in regard to the RepuoH-
can opposition which was based on cOnstitu-
t1Onal grounds or impressions, WHICH - uhUOUot-
edly weaker in votes than it was two days ago.
Reflection and the powerful arguments Of Mr..
DaIzen yesterday and Mr.. Hopkins today have
contributed this result. 1t Is clearly apparent
to those who have listened TO the debate that
the Republican advocates OF the bill have had
much the best Of it. The strength Of the Re
publican opposition inspired by business and
sentimental considerations and the supposed at
titude of the Administration is not perceptibly
4 az=f1r
duced by Chairman Payne's strong speech and
cogent arguments yesterday.
DEMOCRATIC INsINCERITY SHOWN.
The Democratic opponents of the measure are
| making the most Of the recommendation In the
Presidents annual Message In favor OF free
| trade between the United States and Puerto
Rico by using it as an argument in favor OF the
| position that dose Of free trade is all that is
| needed to relieve the distress Of the Puerto
Ricans restore prosperity and happiness to the
island and prevent serious disa1ection, tt not
an actual revolt. OF the people against the
United States The prescription or this panacea
by the free trade Democratic leaders is not cal
| culated to win the support OF many RepuDii-
cans. The best evidence that the former are not
very sincere in their contention is that they
have not thus far suggested any means for
raising the necessary revenue to meet Puerto
| Rico's public expenditures. and that they have
been silent as TO the fact that all the revenue
to be obtained under the pending BILL both in
Puerto Rico and the United States. is TO be sx-
pended for the benefit Of the island.
There was some talk to-day Of holding con-
ference Of Republicans on the bill. and one may
be called before the debate ends. If so, it will
be on the initiative of the friends Of the meas
ure. 1t is asserted that eight or ten Re-
publicans are opposed to the bill and will vote
against it. 1t is also asserted with equal
pIausibiIity and postiveness that six or eight
Democrats will vote in the Affirmative II the
estimates turn out TO be correct, the bin VIII
pass by a safe majority.
FEATURES OF THE DEBATE
The first speech to-day was in opposition to
the BILL by Mr.. Newlands Of Nevada, who de-
voted most of his argument to supporting the
contention that the people of Puerto Rico be-
came citizens OF the United States the moment
the sovereignty of Spain ceased. and are en-
titled TO all the immunties guaranteed to citi-
zens by the Constitution Of the United States
The speech made up in quantity what it lacked
in quality and before it finished there
were few members left 10 listen. Interest in
the discussion revived soon as Mr. Hopkins
took the floor. His argument was effective and
mastery, and was greeted with hearty ap-
plause and other demonstrations Of approval
the Republican side. He was followed by Mr..
Swanson, of Virginia, who pursued in the main
the line of argument that Mr.. Richard
son did yesterday. Mr.. Swanson is a fluent
and agreeable speaker. and his arguments were
well received by the Democrats
MR. NEwLANDs FOR FREE TRADE.
Mr. NewIands said that as the result a humani-
tartan not for conquest but TO tree cuba from
SPANS oppression United States finds itself In
quali1ed possession Of Cuba. in the unqualified
possession of Puerto Rico and in the disputed pos
session of Philippines. All these islands
to-day under the military power of the United
States Government. Congress IS now called upon
act. and the questions are. First. what duty and
good morals require OF US regarding these islands:
second. what self-interest prompts us 10 do. and.
third what constitutional power regarding
these islands. Every phase of obligation. duty and
Cesson of territory he said. is thus presented in
the three classes of acquisitions thus secured
As to Puerto Rico he asserted the duty of this
country to incorporate that island Immediately
nr-ileses under the Constitution and E,1,IsI
the inhabitants satisfied with that scheme of gov
ernment and contented with condition of Sutelage
which would ultimately lead TO representation IN
the Federal Union, while Discrimination inequality
of right and inequality of burden would create
render peaceable condition of tuteage impossible
BILL SUPPORTED BY MR. HOPKINS.
Mr.. Hopkins. also member Of the Ways and
Means Committee. then spoke in support OF ths
bill. He said in part:
whether Puerto Rico and the Philippines under the
Treaty OF Peace with Spain became integral parts
OF the United States or whether they be treat
ana internal revenue laws imposed there from
what levied. collected and paid the United
the people OF this country. The Peace Treaty was
great triumph for American diplomacy and
American StdteSmanSnip. NO Se!f-reSpectlng Amer
tcan lover OF his country. ambitious for It's
future on land and sea. could for a moment think
Of the Philippines with their future possibilities
EraSplDK ambition