The times., 1900-03-23

Aiv. Foraker-Do / understand the SEN
atuT position to be that this bill is for
the purpose Of continuing i'm force indef
nitely the rates fixed in the pnzley act?
Mr.. FairbanEs-The Senator is 4 mem
her OF the Committee on the Pacific Islands
and Porto Rico and as such member does
he not know that that committee has re-
ported bill having for its purpose a very
substantial reduction Of the Dingley rates2
Mr, CoCkreu-Oh. ! know that; and I
know other things about il. That is not
the only Iittle secret in the Foraker bill
Mr Cochreu quoted from the report Of
The Secretary q War and from The Presi-
dents annual message in favor Of the
policy of free trade with Porto Rico. Sc Our
plain duty the President has said. is TO
abolish an customs tariffs between the
Omitted States and Porto Rico and give her
prdoucts free access to our markets.
That" Mr.. Cockrell continued. was
the Republican doctrine on the 3rd Of
March. lSg9 II was formulated by the
President OF the United States endorsing
the recommendation OF his Secretary OF
War and Of his commanding general in
Porto Rico. And IL carried out the plight
ed faith OF this great nation to the inhab-
itants Of Porto Rico. who so quickly, mild
ly. and generously yielded to American
domination there
Mr. Cockrcll also quoted the bills intro
duCed by Mr. Foraker in the Senate and
By Mr. Payne Of New York in the House. /
establishing free trade with Porto Rico. (
and said.
Did you not have a right TO believe that
the Republican party had pledged Itself 10
this course and this policy? Was not that
the sentiment Of the people of the United /
States9 Vas il not the sentiment Of the I
Republicans in the Senate and House? /
But, all at once, some mysterious influence /
and power begins to operate to work, 10 !
ferment and 10 produce results. Now. my |
Republican friends, | want you to tell US.
as honest. patriotic citizens If you intend |
10 put your President in the position o.
stultifying himself by compelling him TO /
sign this bill?"
In conclusion. Mr.. Cockrell read the
resolutions OF the New York Chamber of /
Commerce to the effect that every consid-
GRAFTON Of honor. justice and humanity re-
Quired trade with Porto Rico unrestricted |
by any customs duties whatever.
Mr. Sullivan said that the fact of his |
having voted for the Spanish treaty only
emphasized in his mind. the Improperly
on The part of the Government OF treating
the people of Porto Rico as aliens and
strangers, and worse than the people liv-
ing in other Territories Of the United
States. The conference report" he said,
does not in the slightest degree change
the Dingley Law as it now stands
Defended by MIR. Allison.
NIr Allison defended the report. the
Porto Rican bill being laid
aside to permit him to proceed. Referring
TO this displacement. he remarked that the
incident was one calculated to point a
moral as well as 20 adOrn a tale.
He said that not only the Republican
Senator's but the President and others in
were agreed upon the importance
Jf legislation ia the interest OF Porto Rico.
and as an evidence Of this feeling the bill
0oking to this end had been put in the very
forefront Of the business OF the Senate.
so far as free trade is concerned" con
.inued Mr. Allison. ut is very well. per
iaps but we must take into consideration
The fact Of the relations Of our productions.
such as rum. tobacco. etc. with those Of
Porto Rico. The mass Of the people there
are poor and the greater share Of the prop
.rty is In the hands OF a few men and we
must so adjust our relations as to make
hem prosperous and at the same time let
hem contribute 70 our prosperity. We
must deal generously with the Porto Ricans
md DO an that we can TO enable them to
ustaiu their dense population
Hearing the arguments from the other
ile. Mr.. Allison concluded zone would
hinE that an these questions could be set
led within five minutes.
Mr. Aliens Challenge.
Mr. Allen attacked the conference re-
1ort and in the course Of his speech re-
erred TO Mr. Foraker as the great polit-
cal general ef the age" and said that Mr..
7oraker's object and intention was really
10 prevent any vote on the House tariff
3fl fixing duty Of Is per cent on the
PRODUCTS OF Porto Rico. He predicted that
hat bill would never be allowed to come
o a vote in the Senate.
Mr.. Foraker took up the challenge and
his readiness to have an i'm
Mediate vote upon the House bill after
from II the committee amend .
nent for a government for Porto Rico. He ,
isked Mr.. Allen and the Democratic side !
II the Senate whether they would consent !
% that arrangement and have the vote
aiken at once.
Mr.. Allen said that he represented no.
body but himself and that he would give :
lis assent. ,
Well" Mr.. Foraker went on, in view :
u what the Senator has said, I ask unan-- :
nous consent to withdraw the amend
nent in the nature of substitute to the d
House bill and to have the House bill !
rought to a vote today" ;
Mr.. Allen-The Is per cent bill?
Mr.. Foraker-Yes. =
Mr.. Allen-I join in that request. !
Mr. Foraker repeated his proposition and !
o'clock as a time for taking y
he vote.
rs there any objection" ." asked the
resident pro tempore
1t is absolutely unheard Of. Mr. Bacon ,
emarked "that unanimous consent should
e asked for a committee TO bring in a bill
nd have an immediate vote upon it,"
The bill is before the Senate now" Mt s.
'oraker explained as the unfinished bust p
ess"
Let the committee put the bill in
hape. Mr.. Bacon suggested. and then We 2
700 see"
Il will put lt In shape Immediately" o
Ir Foraker offered fl
Well DO it." said Mr. Bacon. q
There has been one challenge after an C
Their" said Mr.. Foraker. "to take a vote Z,
% this bill The Senator from Nebraska o
iid We dare not vote upon d."
And . repeat o.. Mr. Allen put iu b
Then . ask unanimous consent" Nj. o
0raker again said. go withdraw the com =
.iffee amendment leave the House bill
ending without any amendment. and vote [
d It ar d O'Clock today q
And a cha, request . join" said Nj p
u.H. II
Tho President pro tempore again asked o.
flrre vas arF objection and this time nj
HH.a1 aII ha would NOT object IL the q
H.H r#. tErI far Friday.
Nr Morgan sail. that be- was IN favor OF
H.I vifl the substitute and was not
rE .1 aErrH to the Withdrawal OF The "a
rH-
Wr T.rHtar-T uIu only withdraw Il az
amendment f1 the House BILL aud I Will
.ra lf mp aEl1 when the House bill is m