Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-05
PUERTO RICAN BILL.
II Finally Passed the Senate BY a
Vote Of 20 to 81.
The HAWAIIAN TERRITORIAL BILL.
The House Entered Upon Consideration Of
the Substitute for the senate MEASURE
Only Three Ont Of six speeches Per-
tinsnt to the BILL.

senate. 1t brought to close the
sharpest and most prolonged debate
upon any measure since those dis
cussed during the memorable wal
congress- two years ago. At foul
o'clock in the afternoon the votes
were begun upon the Puerto Rlcan
tariff and civil government bill and
pending amendments, and less than an
hour later the measure, about which
there has been so much contention
in and out of congress, was passed by
q majority of nine, the final vote be-
ing 40 to 81. Only committee amend
ments were adopted.
II has been evident for some time
that the bill would command ma
iority in the senate, but notwithstand-
ing that fact, the interest in the meas
ure, both Of senators and of the pub
lie, has not tagged an instant. Yes
terday the galleries were crowded and
hundreds of people filled the corridors
unable even to secure standing room
in the galleries. From II o'clock,
when the senate convened, until the
hour when the voting began, advo-
Gates and opponents OF the bill bril-
liantly and eloquently maintained
their convictions and the auditors
were kept in state OF constant ex-
citement. The particularly notable
speeches Of the day were delivered by
Senator Mason, of Illinois, in opposi-
ton to the measure, and by Senator
Foraker, of Ohio, who replied in a
brief speech to Senator Wellington,
Of Maryland. It was the Ohio sena-
tors desire to clear up any misunder-
standing or misinformaton concern
Ing the bill. Senator Mason's speech
was argumentative, eloquent and
amusing by turns, and, as II covered
the entire range Of the countrys du-
ties and responsibilities to what the
Illinois senator sarcastically termed
tour insular possessions" IT was very
interesting to his hearers.
just before the senate adjourned a
sensational episode occurred In which
Senator Wolcott, of Colorado, accused
Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts, OF
uttcring that which was "unquaii-
fedly false" The difficulty arose
over an effort made by Senator Lodge
to have the Spooner bill made the un-
finished business. This involved the
displacement of the Quay case and the
friends of the former senator from
Pennsylvania made things exceeding
ly lively for half an hour. With the
situation still strained the senate at
b:55 I'D ]ourned.
The Hawaiian Territorial NIL
Washington, April 4.--'rhe house
yesterday entered upon consideration
OF the substitute for the senate lIa-
waiian territorial bill under a special
order which will bring the question
to vote on Thursday afternoon at
one o'clock. The debate wns in com
mlttee of the whole and only three
OF the six speeches were pertinent to
the bill. Mr., Knox, OF Massachusetts,,
chairman of the committee on terri
tories, delivered a carefully prepared
speech in advocacy of its passage, Mr..
Robinson, of Indiana, criticised a sec
ton in the bill which, he said, con-
tlnued in force labor contracts exist
ing in Hawaii, denouncing 1t as le-
CALLING a system of wage slavery,
Mr. Mondell Of Wyoming, smoke gen
orally in support, of the bill. Mr..
Lance, of Iowa, one Of the republicans
who opposed the Puerto Rico tariff
bill, made n vigorous speech reailirm-
ing his position and warning his re-
publican associates that the country
would not support nm unfair policy
toward the Puerto Ricans, Mr., Thorn
as, Of North Caroline, Mr., Williams,
of Mississippi, and Mr.. Boutell Of H.
lnois, discussed imperialism.
A bill was passed TO allow men who
served during the Spanish war or the
Philippine insurrection in the army
navy or marine corps who enter lands
under the homestead act to deduct
the time of such service from the
period required to perfect title.
Mr.. Gilbert, of Kentucky, introduced
n resolution reciting; "rhat the sec
rotary of agriculture be requested tc
report to the house whether hors,
flesh is being canned, cured or other
wise prepared for human food in this
country, and, II so, at what places
and to what extent
AT five o'clock the house adjourned
- 49,.
The Chicago 4 Alton Reorganised
Chicago, April 4.-Stockholders Of
tbe rhinnuo a. Alton Rnilrnnd comnapx