The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-01
FAIRBANKS URGES A TARIFF.
OPPOSES HIS COLLEAGUE ON PORTO
RICAN QUESTION.

Favor of Sugar and Tobacco
Trusts-Hls Views as to why There
should BE "A TariG-senator Bacon
on His Amendment-Vo TO BE
Taken Tuesday.
Washington, March 31.-So far as the
committee in charge of the measure is con-
cerned the Porto Rican bill was complet-
ed to-day with the exception of two
amendments, which senators had requested
should lie over until Monday.
The final two days debate on the bill
will begin at IL o'clock Monday. At
O'Clock Tuesday afternoon the votes will
be taken on the pending amendments ana
the bill
The feature of to-day's session was an
exhaustive discussion of the pending meas
ure by Mr. Fairbanks Of Indiana. Par
ticular interest was manifested by sena
tors on both sides of the chamber in the
speech, in view of the attitude of Mr. Fair
banks colleague, Mr.. Beveridge.
He supported vigorously and unequivo-
cally the pending measure, making an ar
gument which some of his colleagues said
would attract widespread attention.
Consideration of the Porto Rican bill
being resumed, Mr.. Bacon of Georgia
made statement concerning the substi-
tute he offered yesterday for the pending
unfinished business.
He desired, he said, to arrogate to him
self no credit for the substitute, as 1t was
the measure originally prepared by Mr..
Foraker, amended slightly. He could not
speak for all members on his side of the
chamber, but he knew that he had in
troduced the measure in the utmost good
faith, some Democrats az least would
H. l,N
the best proposition yet made as to Porto
Rico, inasmuch as it provided free ter
ritorlal government of the United Statesg
Havemeyer Wants Free Trade.
The pending question was on The
amendment offered by Mr.. Allen OF Ne
braska providing that the bill should des-
ignate Porto Rico as a territory of the
United States. Mr.. McComas read a re-
cent statement of Mr., Havemeyer, presi-
dent of the American Sugar Refining
Company, in which he argued in favor of
the free admission 10 the United States Of
sugar from Porto Rico and expressed the
belief that the time would come soon
when it would be admitted free.
When that section of the bill relating
to the Legislative assembly of Porto Rico
was reached, MIR. Pettus of Alabama Of
fered this amendment:
THAT the legislative assembly of Porto
Rico shall have no power or authority to
enact any law in conflict with the consti-
| tuition of the United States"
The amendment was lost, Is to 81.
Senator Fairbanks' Speech.
| Mr.. Fairbanks then addressed the Sem
| ate In support of the pending measure.
Adverting to the provisions of the pend
| ing bill, Mr.. Fairbanks said:
The statement has been frequently
| made that the duties were modified and
| irnn ut iNt at Of nd
| tobacco trusts.
THE only legislation suggested In the
| present Congress which was in the inter
| est of the sugar and tobacco trusts was
! proposed by the senior senator from Ar
| kansas (Mr. Jones), who introduced an
| amendment proposing to refund to those
| who had paid it, the 100000 collected on
| imports from Porto Rico. The money, IL
| the senator's amendment had been adopt
| ed, would be returned to the sugar and
| tobacco trusts, and other importers now
| suing the government.
'"rhe money collected from the trusts
and importers in New York has recently
been appropriated by an act of Congress,
and will in few days be sent to Porto
Rico to be expended in public works, in
the cause of education and in granting
relief to the poor people requiring 1t.
For one, | would regard myself recre-
ant to the trust committed to me and false
United States if did not by my vote COM
pei these trusts and their allied interests
10 pay some part of maintaining the Porto
Rican government which they do pay I'M
der the duty upon their raw products
rather than increase the direct taxes upon
the people In the island, or, in the alterna-
tive appropriate Ii from the treasury of
the United States.
Lobby From Porto Rico.
"Mr. President, 1t has not escaped public
attention that a lobby from Porto Rico
has been maintained here during the con-
sderation of the pending bill. 1t is head
ed by a British subject who has been in
sistent for free trade between Porto Rico
and the United States, and who is one Of
the largest producers of sugar in the isl
and, having overd $4,000 invested in his
sugar enterprises"
After pointing out that the proposed
tariff shall cease absolutely on March l.
1902, and that so far as the Porto Rican
assembly shal have put into operation a
system of local taxation the commerce be-
tween the island and the United States
shall be free, Mr.. Fairbanks concluded:
I'VE should consider the subject before
us tn no illlberal or dogmatic spirit. No
matter what shades of opinion there are
with respect to the best course to be pur-
sued and the wisest measures to be adopt
ed with respect to Porto Rico, there are
perfect unity of purpose among all par
ties here TO provide the most liberal form
of government, and just laws under which
may be promoted I'm the very highest de-
gree her welfare.
1T is not given to finite mind TO read
her future but we may believe that under
the inspiration of Republican laws, and
under the impetus of American example,
her people will grow In knowledge,
strength and power and forever bless the
great republic"
Limit on Indebtedness.
1t was provided by an amendment fore
ed by Mr.. Allen and accepted by Mr. For
aker that no public Indebtedness of Por-
to Rico or OF any municipality thereof
shall be authorized or allowed in excess OF
per cent OF the aggregate tax valuation
of its property"
The committee amendments with the ex-
ception of two-the one relating to the
question of citizenship Of Porto Ricans ana
the otehr fixing the qualifications of a del
egate to the House of Representatives OF
the United States, were agreed 10.
Mr.. Chandler, chairman Of the Commits
tee on Elections gave notice that he
would defer asking the Senate to begin the
consideration OF the case OF former Sena-
tor Quay on Tuesday next, In acoo danos