New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-14
HOT FIGHT IN THE SENATE
CAUCUS ON PUERTO RICO.
THREE PROPOSITIONS ADVOCATED
WITHOUT VICTORY FOR EITHER
SIDE-SOAIE AMENDMENTS
ADOPTED.
rRY TELEGRAPH TO The rRrruxE.I

sentatives did. The Republican Senator'S were
in caucus nearly three hours after the Senate
adjourned to-day and then adjourned until 2
o'clock tomorrow afternoon without having
reached any agreement in regard TO the tariff
provisions.
They did. however. agree to eliminate several
sections of the pending bill relating TO the pro-
posed form of civil government for Puerto Rico
The provision for a Puerto Rican Delegate IN
Congress was OF them. Another was the
provision attach the United States District
Court for Puerto Rico 10 the Hid Judicial Cir
cult of the United States. Still another change
to strike out the provision TO clothe the IN
habitants of Puerto Rico with American citizen
ship and to substitute making them citizens
of Puerto Rico. This is of the provisions Of
the Cooper bill. now pending in the House COM
mittee on Insular Affairs Thus far the men,
bers of the caucus seem to have been able to
harmonic diverse opinions.
BATTLE WITH INDECIsIvE RESULTS.
But the tariff was a different story. and the
debate this was exceedingly spirited one.
in which large proportion OF the Senators pres
ent bore share. Three distinct groups advo-
Gated three different and antagonistic prcposi-
tions. First there the Senators who
favored out and out free trade between Puerto
Rico and the United States the ground OF ex-
pediency who were led by Senator Davis. OF
Minnesota; second, the Senators who vigorously
fought for the House bill both the grounds
of party policy and the necessity of raising
nue. to carry on whatever government might be
established in Puerto Rico. led by Senator Platt.
of Connecticut, and Senator Spooner and third.
the Senators who advocated as a compromise the
modification of the House tariff provisions so as
to admit products of the United States into
Puerto Rico free of duty and impose duties
products of Puerto Rico imported into the United
States.
On these three lines battle royal appears to
have been fought. with results so indecisive that
the champions of none of the propositions yet
have right to claim victory, for the fight is
be renewed tomorrow afternoon. If any ad-
vantage can be claimed by the champions Of
either it is by those who advocate the third one.
One of the ablest and most sagacious Senators
who sat in the caucus and took leading part
in the discussion tonight expressed fear that
the compromise would prevail, although he still
hoped for a different result He is in favor Of
standing by the House of Representatives. So
| is Senator Depew. who. it is said. made strong
! and effective speech on the same side.
1t is understood that several of the Senators
who spoke for absolute free trade between the
United States and Puerto Rico. especially sena-
tors Davis, Nelson and Beveridge, warned the
caucus that. in their Judgment. to adopt any
other course would endanger party success in
States. but they did not succeed in convincing
the caucus that such danger existed.
MR.. ALDRICH FOR COMPROMISE
Senator Aldrch, who, it is understood. advo-
| Gated the proposed compromise. delivered a Wig
orous speech that side Of the case. 1t was
argued by the friends of this proposition that it
could be easily defended before the country by
showing that it would enable the Puerto Ricans
to procure cheap supplies of food which they
would require, and that the importers Of Puerto
Rican products amply able to pay duties
on their imports, and If it were true that large
quantities of sugar and tobacco have been held
back awaiting the repeal of the duties. the per-
sons corporations holding them are rich
enough to contribute in the manner provided for
the relief of the Puerto Rican producers and
laborers who have been impoverished through
fault of their own.
These arguments did not convince the Senators
who favored out and out free trade or those
who stand by the House provisions One OF the
latter who had listened 10 the argument
marked that it might sound WE'LL but 1t would
be difficult to make the people understand t.
What they would be likely to understand and
believe was that Congress proposed TO charge
Puerto Ricans 81 100000 year. or less, IN
the shape of import duties for the privilege OF
sending their sugar and tobacco into the United
States and at the time provide that pro-
ducers in the United States should not be COM
PEELED to pay anything for the privilege of send
ing their flour. and fish into Puerto Rico.
Senators who favored free trade said about the
same thing.
MR.. FORAKER DEFENDS HIS BILL.
Senator Foraker spoke at considerable length
vigorously supporting the bill. He espe-
ciaIly determined that the governmental feat
ures should not be abandoned. He also de-
Tended the tariff provisions as being an advan-
tage instead of a hardship to the people OF
Puerto Rico He declared that the bill as
amended by the committee Ievying II per cent
duty on products both ways was the best meas
ure that could be passed. but said he will
ing to accept the compromise levying duty
only on Puerto Rican products coming TO this
country.
Senator Hanna made a speech that was lis
tened 10 with great interest. He favored the
House bill. and especially the tariff provisions
He said that from party point of view the
tariff ought to remain This a Republican
Congress. and there should be Republican legis-
Iation. If the bill was defeated he asserted that
it would hand the legislation over TO the Demo-
Gratis He also spoke OF the effect free trade
measure would have on the workingHsen. who
feared the effect should the policy OF free trade
| with the Philippine Islands be established. He
urged the Republicans 10 stand firmly together
| for the bill.
Senator Proctor, OF Vermont said that he be-
| Ieved In free trade with Puerto Rico. and
thought the question could be adjusted by hav-
| ing a military governor and not attempting
| either a civil government tariff legislation
| at the present time.
Senator Fairbanks deplored the situation. and