Evening star., 1900-02-21
FAVORS FREE ENTRY
Representative Bromwell Objects to
the Porto Rican Tariff.
FIRST REPUBLICAN TO OPPOSE IT
Mr.. Ray Of New York Speaks
For Ii.
HAWAIIAN BILL IN sen ATE

The House Of Representatives today
adopted the Senate resolution authorizing
the President to appDin4 one woman COM
missioner to represent the United States
ana the National Society OF the D. \. r. at
the unveiliHg Of tn. statue Of Lafayette at
the Paris exposition.
Before the debate upon the Porto Rican
tariff bill was resumed. il was agreed that
the debate, hereafter should begin al II
clock in the morning and that there
should be night sessions Thursday ana Fri
day.
Mr. Ray IN " was the first speaker to-
day. He supported the bill in an extended
argument.
Mr.. Ray is The chairman Of the judiciary
committee nt the House. and he devoted
himself closely to the legal and constitu-
ticnal phases If the controversy over the
broad question as to whether new territory
was a part Of the United States in q po-
-li1Icai :, nSe. He denied that any act of he
President Congress could extend the
Constitution as a constitution over territory
while il remained territory. The immuni-
ties of the Constitution could be so eX-
tended but not the Constitution itself. The
constitution only covered the states OF the
MON
Mr. BrornweT tOhio, was the first repub-
ncau to oppose the hill upon the floor. Oc-
cupying place in the center aisle. he stated
lis Position
Mr. RronweI said he lid not doubt the
J5nwer of Congress to enact this legislation,
but he did not agree with its justice or
equity. The original bill proposed to estab-
lish free trade with Porto Rico and was in
accordance with the recommendations or
the President. Secretary of War and others
familiar with the conditions and necessi-
ties of the people Of the island
Mr.. BromwelI said that only few days
ago the President had informed the editor
"f "a prominent republican paper that he
still stood by his recommendation in favor
OF free trade with Porto Rico. If he had
since changed his mind II his solemn
duty to communicate his change of Views
to Congress. Republicans should not he
dependent for their informal tion as to the
Presidents opinions upon alleged private
conversations anu interviews
He announced that he would support the
substitute if it was "ffered. and if defeated.
rather than Not have any legislation ne
should vote for the pending measure.
This announc-ne nj drew q round of Gp
p&use from the republican side. IL created
some surprise upon the democratic sid,
where it wa understood that Mr.. Brom-
wei intended 10 oppose the bill outright.
Irges lower Revenue Taxes.
In conclusion Mr- BromweIl said:
If merely for the purpose Of proclaiming
your right to legislate as You choose you
deem it necessary to make any distinction
in the tariff laws of the TWO countries let
il be shown by a modification Of the in
Terual revenue laws which shall relieve
rather than incr-ass, she burdens of the is
lands. This means much for the Porto
EIcans.
If they arc no- treated fairly. if they
epnceiye the idea thai they are being treat
n no better than they were under Spanish
rule. if they look with suspicion upon our
professions of friendship. they will be ready
10 cast off their allegiance and Join our
fues whenever opportunity offers. \ mon
archial government may well claim might