New-York tribune., 1900-04-12
PRICE THREE CENTS.
A FIERCE BATTLE WON.
PUERTO RICAN BILL AT LAST
THROUGH CONGRESS.
THE HOUSE CONCURs IN THE SENATE
153-TO BECOME LAW TO-DAY
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuxE-I

a
votes in total of 314. the House Of Representa-
tives to-day concurred in the Senate amend
ments to the Puerto Rican bill. which will
ceive the approval OF the President
1t is laid before him This short sentence de-
notes the end OF one Of the fercest and most
bitter and stubborn struggles seen in Congress IN
many years Every inch OF the ground has been
hotly contested. and the victory achieved to-
day is the reward of hard work well done II
is distinctiveIy a victory for the Republican
party and It's policy in regard 10 the govern
ment of the territory acquired from Spain In
the opposition were arrayed all the forces OF the
anti-expansiOnsts, reinforced by free traders OF
every degree and political partisans Of every
complexion-Democrats Republicans. Popuiscs
Independents and Silver men-who stood and
fought In solid phalanx- II Congress would only
sustain the dogma OF the sef-expansion OF the
Constitution, the future task OF the anti-expan-
sionists would be a cornparat tivelv easv one
and the immediate partisan rewards would be
great This is why for two months the ma
torfty in Congress. in it's efforts to enact a
benef1ce1t measure for Puerto Rico has been
confronted and opposed at every step by a par
tisan minority aided by handful Of RepubIi-
cans who have for this occasion steadily and
cheerfuHy voted the Democratic ticket
UNSCRUPULOUS OPPOSITION TACTICS
The opposition has not only used every Ieetti,
mate weapon Of discussion but has not scruoled
20 resort TO those which are seldom or never
employed in civilized warfare The President
and members OF his Administration have been In
turn praised and cruelty maIfgned and r,tsra,rs-
sented; the majority in Congress has been ac-
cused not only of corrupt motives but OF corrupt
acts without shadow Of foundation except the
WIG assertions of anonymous and irresponsible
slanderers. and in defiance both OF decencv and
common sense; the provisions Of the proposed
measure have been deliberately. persistently and
grossly misrepresented in the halls Of Congress
and in a large portion of the press for the DUR
pose of creating and cultivating a false and in
furious public sentiment in opposition TO ii and
the party which originated and advocated IL:
the truth has been distorted and suppressed In
every possible manner. and the facts have been
kept from access to many avenues of apueaI IN
public opinion and tudgment-aIl for the sake Of
promoting the success OF a political party and
policy which would make nugatory the glorious
achievements and results OF the late war and
tarnsh the honor Of the Nation
CREDIT DUE REPUBLICAN LEADERS
Throughout this fierce struggle the Republican
majority in Congress has stood like stone wall
against foes without and critics within and
the assaults of timorous and misguided mem
bers who deserted their party banner The men
who have led in this fight and who with their
loyal supporters, have won a glorious victory
deserve the highest praise for their courage
and constancy, and their supreme faith in the
better informed and maturer Judgment OF the
people whom they represent. There has been
sign OF faltering wavering in their ranks
since the contest began and they have endured
with wonderful patience and sublime faith the
storms of aspersion and detraction which have
swept over Congress and through the columns
of many Of the newspapers of their own party.
and TO some extent obscUred and warped pOpu-
lar opinion They have been not only aggres-
sive but vigilant. and no attempted flank move
ment, however shrewdly cOntrived planned.
has taken them by surprise They believed
their position 10 be inpregnabIe one. and the
result has justified that belief No attempt
made to take snap Judgment stife debate.
but the fullest opportunity for and latitude OF
discussion only allowed but encour-
aged There was not only ample time for talk
but also for reflection. Nearly one-third OF the
entire membership OF the House Of Representa-
tives has taken part in the debate az one or
another stage of the proceedings. and all men,
bers who desire to offer further contributions
TO the subject will have the privilege OF doing
for the next ten days.
FALSE FRIENDS OF PUERTO RICO.
OF course. comparatively speaking. the pro-
visions OF the measure passed to-day occupied
small share OF the discussion 1t was used
mainly a vehicle carry the arguments OF
the supporters and opponents OF the expansion
policy of the Republican party. and the "croco-
die tears shed by the anti-expanSiOn orators
in the course of the debate over the outrage
that II was the purpose OF the party IN power
inffict upon Puerto Rico were merely the
symbols OF grief that not felt. The propo-
sition OF the opponents of the measure 10 saddle
the poor and distressed Puerto Ricans with the
internal taxes levied for war purposes In addition
TO the full Dingley duties showed how deep
was their pity and their sympathy for the in
habitants OF the island which they were not
willing restore the duties already collected
One OF theu-Mr. Mccall. OF Massachusetts,
declared as a member OF the Ways and Means
Committee. when the proposition was offered BY
Chairman Payne 10 reduce the DingIey rates l5
per cent, that it a wise and generous fiscal
measure. He spoke and voted against IL to-
day although il made reduction OF s. per cent
instead OF 20 per cent and he did so on the
ground that Puerto Rico Is a territory OF the
United States in the sense that New
Mexico or Arizona is.
prised eight other Republicans and all the Demo-
Gratis (save three). Populists and silver members
OF the House-preferred that Puerto Rico should
be left roadless and without schools OF employ
menr for It's idle and destitute population rather
than that Congress should refuse To admit trat
'the Constitution follows the flag by passing a
bill which Mr, Mccall pronounced "A wise and
generous fiscal measure"
ANALYSIS OF THE VOTE
The eight Republicans besides Mr.. Mccall who
OF Maine; Lorimer and Warner. OF Illinois: