The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-06
VIII Return to indianapolis and Con-
suit Leading Republicans Before
Making a Statement
MR.. CRUMPACKEg- SATISFIED
DAVIS PLAN Is IN LINE WITH WHAT
HE CONTENDED FOR.
Another Statement by Representative
Overstreet I'm Justification of His
Recent Vote in the House.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 5.-Senator Davis
to-day offered an amendment to the Porto
Rican bill, substituting free trade for the
tariff feature. 1t meets with the hearty
approval of many Republican senators.
who are bitterly opposed to the offensive
House proposition. A hurried canvass to-
day discloses the fact that at least two
thirds OF the Republican senator's prefer
the Davis amendment to the tariff sugges-
tion. II put to test. many of these would
doubtless support what they believe to be
the administration or party policy. Left
free from pressure they would vote for
free trade by an overwhelming majority.
as the House would have done. Senator
Allison heads the list of conservatives who
oppose the tariff provision because they
believe it to be a piece of political folly.
and evidence of bad faith toward the Por-
to Ricans, to which the great masses Of
the people can neither be driven nor won
over to indorsing.
The burden of opinion tonight is that
though it does not follow that free trade.
as a bare proposition, will be accepted.
It may have to be adorned and decorated
with a few frills and furbelows to make
1T acceptable to the House majority. 1t is
believed. however. that the Porto Rican
tariff proposition is doomed, and cannot
pass Congress in the form proposed by the
House and originally subscribed to by the
Senate committee.
THE DAVIS AMENDMENT.
The amendment offered by Senator Da-
Wis follows:
"And 1t is hereby enacted, that all duties.
fmposts and excuses imposed or levied, laid
or collected. by Congress upon Porto Rico,
or any products or business thereof. or in
relation to said Porto Rico, shall be uni
form with all duties. imposts and excuses
laid and collected throughout the United
States.
shall be laid by Congress in or upon Porto
Rico. unless in proportion to the census
enumeration directed to be taken by the
constitution.
articles exported from Porto Rico.
THAT no preference shall be given by any
regulation OF commerce or revenue to the
ports OF Porto Rico, over those of any
State OF the Union, nor shall vessels bound
to or from Porto Rico be obliged to enter,
clear or pay duties in any State of the
Union.
''Nor shall any preference be given by
any regulation OF commerce revenue to
the ports of any State of the Union over
those Of Porto Rico. nor shall vessels bound
to or from the ports of any State of the
Union be obliged TO enter, Clear or pay
duties in any port Of Porto Rico."
Senator Davis also proposes new section
rs follows:
"For the purposes of this act the follow
ing provisions of the constitution of the
United States are hereby extended and
made applicable to Porto Psco:
"The Congress shall have power to lay
and collect taxes, duties, imposts and ex-
cises, TO pay the debts and provide for the
common defense and general welfare OF the
United States; but all duties. imposts and
excises shall be uniform throughout the
United States.
"No capitation or other direct tax shall
be laid, unless I'm proportion to the census
or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be
taken.
''No tax or duty shall be given by any
regulation OF commerce or revenue TO the
ports OF one State over those OF another;
nor shall vessels bound TO or from one
State be obliged 10 enter, clear or pay du-
ties in another
Senator Davis says his amendment
speaks for itself. 1t extends the constitu-
ton over Porto Rico and by so doing i'm
plies that IL cannot be extended to the
Philippines or other territories except by
legislative action.