New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-23

PASSED the halfway pest continues 70 &c.
in interest Members on both sides l,ear1
realize that. important 70 the inhabitants
Of Puerto Rico as is the pending bin. II
involves another question which is OF in
fnitely greater Importance and they are
striving with zeal and energy to maintain
heir positions The contest is bringing ont the
5est debaters both in favor OF and against the
position taken by the majority CT the WAYS and
Means Committee. and the discussion of runda-
mental principles is the most thorough one thar
has occurred in the House Of REPRESENTATIVES
II many years.
FEATURES OF THE DEBATE.
Speeches were delivered to-day by Messrs
Mcclellan. OF New-York; Brantley. Of Caorgta
and Mccall. OF Massachusetts. in opposition ~
TIE principle on which the bill was framed. and
by General Grosvenor. Of Ohio; Mr. Moody. Of
Massachusetts,. and Mr.. Parker Of New-Jersev
II support Of II and OF the necessity or IagisIa.
tton fer the relief OF existing conditions in
Puerto Rico.
Mr.. Mcclellan took high moral grounds and
gave copious citations from judicial precedents
which he contended supported the doctrine as
poused and advocated by his side. Mr.. McClel-
Ian had been sitting up OF nights for several
weeks with the literary and judicial remains Of
chief Justice Marshall and Chief Justice Tanev
il Is understood. and his discourse was strongly
rincrured with his Interpretation OF the wisdom,
OF those eminent Jurists. Messrs BrantIey and
Mccall devoted themselves chiefly TO the con-
stiIutional aspects Of the subject the latter d.
crossing. however, long enough TO advocate an
appropriation OF sufficient money from the Ma
ti0nal Treasury 10 meet public expenditures
IL the island and make necessary provisions for
public schools and public improvements No
Democrat since the debate began has offered
such suggestion or any other practical sug-
gesrion On that subject.
Both General Grosvenor and M Moody dweIt
on the absolute necessity Of raising money,
either by the pending bill or by appropriations
from The National Treasury, to relieve the ex-
listing distress and support whatever civil gov
eminent there now is or may be hereafter es-
tablished II the island They both paid con-
siderable attention also 10 the bearing Of the
pending bill future legislation, respecting the
Philippines. and pointed out the meaning OF
Democratic efforts TO foreclose that question in
z manner favorable 10 their contention. The
relations between General Grosvenor and the
President enabled the former to say some things
On his own responsibility about the attitude and
desires Of the latter which evidently made con-
siderable impression On the minds Of wavering
Republicans. When he asserted that the Presi-
dent would feel deep sorrow and disappoint-
The consequent restoration Of the Democrats TO
control Of the House Of Representatives. there
signs q discontinue among the Democrats
who have been insisting for two or three years
pas that General GTOsvenor is the mouth
piece q the Administration IN the House his
speech was an unusually effective one. even
Tor Li-1-aIr1oSr TOO effective for his colleague,
NJ BromweH, who did not by any means en-
Joy il
N- Moody's speech was not only an excel
lent antidote for Mr- McCalFs. but crushing
rei0inde- 70 IL He is a member Of the Commit
Iee on Insular Affairs. and qualified 10 present
strong picture Of existing conditions in Puerto
Rec and the means necessary 10 relieve and
improve them He IS also learned in the law
snE was able 10 answer and demolsh the legal
Propositions Of his colleague
CONFIDENT OF PASSING THE BILL
TIE prospect Of the passage Of the bill con-
enues 70 improve. and the Republican leaders
now feel confident that after Saturday nights
republican conference which viii bring out
e-r 4--andance most Of the Republican op-
position VIII have melted away and Vanlsheo-
TN do Rot believe now that more than SIX or
aser- F2arr1blfcans al most will vote 10 reconInlt
fbl r5U and they have reason 70 oelleVe lh1I
sr---- ee many Democrats will vote against the
-rr-7r~ II these expectations are realized ana
g - seems altogether probable that this will
81 m. case, the bill VIII pass Dy ABOUT d s0oU
q majority as can be expected
THE DEBATE N DETAIL.
Tia House began holding early sessions to-day.
meeting AZ = 4 n. owing 70 the pressure Ior Tine
liz -he Puerto Rican debate
-r-e=-fr.r-.7's Birthday was referred 70 oy ths
e-e-resu IN MS prayer. and the character OF WASH
-r-1- was held up as model for emulation 10
~ Mcclellan Of New-York opened the debate,
e~e-g-f-g IN opposition TO the Puerto Rican arm
ID Re was frequently applauded BY MS Demo-
cratic associates -,
IN Brantlev Of Georgia, spoke against the Dill
ana IN he future Of the Philippines he oeclaEeu
-rs- me new Philippine Commission could accom-
ull=- nothing and that Il II went 10 the my
MS a. an II should 90 with the authority anu
r-v-a- which Congress alone could grant
Mp rR0svENOR SPEAKS FOR THE BILL
The ro7i4av crowds began TO I'll the galleries as
-rs -era-e advanced and when Mr. GrosVenor OF
ohio began speaking in support Of the DBL ne hau
= -s-vs sr,dier1ce He said that any political party
~ f-=f-idual who took part IN ratifytng and sup
ro--s-g the treaty with Spain was estoppeo rum
opposing any OF the legitimate enecIs u no
--ee-~ When that treaty hung IN the balance
--.- ,-atr.el,z colonel left his regiment and
e -, Ty-esbtrgton 10 aid in securing ratification
~ 10 did influence votes Il q critical 3uhclui g
3 IL NJ Crosvencr said, II there was one man
in aha country who should shoulder responsibility
Tor The -rea-v and its succeeding responsibilities
g. nan Vas william J. Bryan. Of Nebraska
3I- Crogvenor said there appeared 70 DC sieae
seef-sve-ess lest the wishes OF the President snouid
80. s--ta5 o11r and this sensftfveness was most
spg-=-- IN the Democratic side, among those not
Rs-rc-lsrlv active IN supporting the president
r. President rad performed hts constitutional
duty b presenting his views 70 Congress Shce
ten ruuch Official information had been supnalt'eu'
sto,l co,-lusfyely that Il was trnperatively nee
essa-y 70 raise money for Puerto Rico IN some
way IN order 70 restore the depressed industries
ant fre-ir1rtons OF the island This Information
had been 50 conclusive that views had changed
borh fl the Senate and House and, yielding 70 H.
lie Eays and Means Committee brought forward
THIS pin believing II 10 be the best thing attaina