The age-herald., 1900-03-23
Covering Future Collections Of Revenue
 on Imports.
THE ATTACK WAS LED BY BACON
the Tariff Bill But Proctor Ob- jected-Pettus Called for
 Regular Order


 tire session of the senate today was spent in the discussion of the conference report upon the Porto Rico appropriation bill The democratic senators manifested disposi- tion to criticize the restoration of the house provision covering future collections of rev. enue finding in this action the desire on the part or the republicans to continue tEe Dingley tariff.
 Speeches were made these lines by Messrs. Bacon, Cockrell, Jones (Arkansas), Berry ard Allen. The republicans met the taunt with proposition to take a vote inn medately upon the house Porto Rico tar if bill Senator Proctor objected how ever, on behalf of the republican free trad CTS, and when he indicated a willingness to agree to vote next week. Senator Pettus put an end to the proceedings by calling for the regular order of business.
 At the opening of the session the follow ing resolutions were passed:
 \ resolution by MT. Allen requesting in- formation as to the tariff rates in force in the Philippines, Guam, Porto Rico, ard Cuba, and the amount collected in each h. stance since the American occupatica.
 A resolution by MT. Butler asking the sec Ietary Of the treasury for irEormltion as to the bank charters granted since the pas sage of the currency blll and for other in- formation concerning the bill.
 lIr. Pettigrew introduced a resolution calling upon the president for an ifemized statement of the expenses of the Phillr- pine commission, and each of its members. MT. Davis objected to present coasldera- tioH and then it went over.
 The senate took up the conference bill cn tae Forto Rican appropriation.
 Senator .n OA jects
 MT. Bacon objected, and especially to the concession dle part of tle senate to the house contention that the appropriation should cover future collections, as well as those accruing up to January l. Benea.h h what he said appeared a very harmless change, he found very radical action, de- claring it was the purpose of the bal to pro- vide for the contingency that the tariff Dill now pending may fail. In that event, the revenue arrangement would continue.
 Mir Bacon launched upon a general argu- ment against the republican policy w,'Jl reference to trade 5etween the UrLted States and the islands acquired in the war with Spain. No such outcry, he said, had ioeen witnessed recently as that WiIoA had gone up from all over the country after the passage of the house bii., wlich was intended to orore1s unprotected people Naturally, the republican leaders had sought to find a protecting shelter from this storm, and this bill was intended as a peace offering to appease the indignation tR the people. Not only had there been trouble in the country at large, but for the first time in its history had peace com mittee-a committee appointed by the re- publican caucus of '5he senate to preserve peace among It's members.
 Mir Bacon 1welt upon the insistence of the house upon the language continuing the collection and return of the revenue under existing law. Thus, instead H laving free trade with Porto Rico or reduction to 1o per cent, promised, We aTe, t;e as- serted, to continue the present rela tion enforcing the full rate of the Dngley law. To adopt this conference report meant the leaving of the tariff wall standing and if congress should adjourn wi5gout passing another law, those Who would vote for the conference report would be responsible for leaving this great burden uoos z people for whom there was so much expressed commisseration.
 Want Free Trade Quickly
 MT. Bacon said he not only wartes free trade with Porto Rico, but he wanted it quickly. The great need of the Porto Ri- cans was to have such legislation as would put them dn position to help themselves and this could not be done by the course at present proposed. The talk of charity and humandtarianism, he said was mere pre- tense He also contended that the money to be returned would not go to the people from whom it had been collected.
 What the people of the island wanted was tree intercourse with the people of this country, and not misdirected charity. He favored a free territorial government Ike Oklahoma and New Mexico, and said the democrats would vote at once for a bill on these lines.
 Mir. Foraker-Will you agree to fix a time for vote upon the government bAl now pending?
 MT. Bacsn-Yes; so far as I am concern. ed.
 MT. Cockrell-We will wait until we get through with the appropriation bill before fixing time for vote on another meas tire
 MT. Foraker-Of course, If there is obiec- tion, we cannot insist at this time
 MT. Bacon-You will not find any obiec- tion to naming a time for vote when you complete your Dill and we will agree to a date as early as is consistent with the ne- eessity Of proper eXaminatfon of amend ments. We are disturbed by whsperings that it is not the intention of the party in power to settle the tariff question, and we do not want to leave the matter there.
 MT. Foraker-We have heard nothing of that kind over here, and again assure you Of our intention to ask for an early vote. Mr. Bacon-And l assure you of cordial
 Cockrell Opposed Report
 MT. Cockrell, Missouri, also opposed the conference report For the first time in the nineteen years that have been a mem- Der of the committee on appropriations, he began, '1 have been compelled to de- cline to sign a conference report on an appropriation bill. so refused because the --~--~~~---~-->~--~~~ ~~----~--------~~----~--
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