The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-09

Washington, March S.-Formal dis
cussion Of the Porto Ricsn tariff and
civil government bill began in the SEN
ate today and continued uninterrup-
tedly for four and a half hours. The
principal speakers were Mr.. Foraker
| (O). in charge of the measure, and Mr..
Pettus dem, Ala.), but at various
times during the debate lively colloquys
times during the debate lively colloquies
| participants
After Mr.. Mason Qlls.) had entered
his motion to discharge the committee
on foreign relations from further con-
sideratiOn Of a resolution expressing
sympathy for the Beers and it had
gone over until tomorrow under the
rule, Mr.. Pettus delivered a carefully
prepared speech in opposition to the
pending bill. Mr.. Foraker occupied the
floor during the remainder of the ses-
sion, speaking in defense of the bill.
Mr. Pettus (Ala.) was first to adj
dress the senate on the Porto Rican
bill. He congratulated the president
on the position he had taken in his last
annual message faVoring free trade be-
tween the United States and Porto
Rico.
President Was Sincere.
mo sordid politicians fingers had
been put into the ink of that message, -
he said. The president was honest
and sincere when he distinctly advised
free trade between the United States
and the island of Porto Rico
''The public press is now trying to
make. us believe the secretary of war
is the author of the pending bill, and
that the president has acceded to the
provisions of the measure. For one. l
refuse TO believe this charge against
the president. Though he may desire
reelection, he was a brave soldier and
is an able and generous man. For MIN
it is not everything in life to be re-
elected to the presidency of his party.
He has acted for the common good of
all the people. Ii he approves your
bill then 1 may believe any vile story
against any good man.
Mr.. Pettus called attention to the
amendment proposed by Mr.. Davis.
which, he said, was most interesting
specimen of the products of inventive
genius.
The senator proposes said Mr.. Pet
tus, ito send over 20 the Porto Ricans
the constitution in installments-a lit
tie now and little them
Mr. Morgan gave notice of his inten-
ton to move to lay the entire substi-
tute for the senate committee for the
house bill on the table.
Mr.. Foraker Speaks.
Mr.. Foraker, III charge Of the pend-
ing bill, replied to Senator Pettus. Ad-
Verting to the criticism aroused by the
bill, both in the newspapers and among
the people, Mr. Foraker said that so far
as he had been informed. no intelligent
and appreciative man in Porto Rico
had diSSented from the propositions of
the measure. There may have been
some criticism on the part Of the Porto
Rlcans, but generally it was accepted
as an excellent bill
Mr.. Lindsay inquired if Governor
General Davis himself had not recon-
mended free trade with Porto Rico
Yes replied Mr.. Foraker he did
make such a recommendation but the
committee, after fun consideration. de-
cided against his proposition. We are
10 leglslate for the whole United States
and we were forced to consider the
question from all points of view. The
tarlH provision was conceived in mercy
10 the Porto Ricans, and in its gene
rosity it is without precedent in the
territorial legislation of the United
States"
MIR. Foraker explained the provisions
of the bill showing that all the internal
revenue taxes and the customs duties.
instead of being paid into the United
states treasury. as had been the case
IN every other territory. would go into
the treasury Of the island and be solely
Tor the benefit of the Porto Ricans. In
round figures the revenues would az
gregate $40 900. about 81. 400 900 from
customs and 100000 from internal rev.
enue.
Money For School Houses.
Mr.. Gallinger interiected the remark
that 1t was proposed to expend 81 ,00O. 900
Tor school houses on the island. and a
like sum for the construction of roads.
Yes, continued Mr.. Foraker. we
propose 10 do that and we propose in
that connection to provide the inhabit-
ants with remunerative labor and en-
plOyment''
Continuing the Ohio senator said that
after all means of raising. revenues had
been considered it was found neces-
sary to provide at least S1,000 600 more
per annum. Then it was proposed to
levy a duty on % per cent of the Ding
ley law on products Of the island i'm
ported into this country and to turn
the amount SO raised back to Porto
Rico.
The senator admits" said Mr..
Davis, interrupting, that this handing
back Of revenues to a political sub
division of the United States is IN
preCedented. Then, why not raise the
revenue az usual and. if necessary 10
relieve distress IN Porto Rico, provide
the relief by direct appropriation
from the Uni ed states treasury"
Must Have Taxation.
The United States has never under
taken TO support local government in
any territory, replied Mr.. Foraker
THE situation IL Porto Rico is anomal-
Gus. II the island is TO have schools,
good roads and public improvements
it must get then through taxation and
such taxation as is proposed in the
bill"
Mr.. Foraker became involved in a
cOlloquy with Mr. Hoar as to the con-
stitutional right of congress to levy &
duty on products from territory Of
the United Stats in which the Ohio
senator declared that the provisions Of
the constitution referred to had no APP
plication in the case of Porto Rico.
Mr.. Hoar continued to press the point
and Mr.. Foraker finally declared that
question in poiut had passed beyond
the law book stage" and had become
one of justice and humanity.
Mr. Hoar-That is the senator's
answer
No 1t is not. retorted Mr. Foraker
warmly. 4 answered the senator's
question and the persistence with
which the senator presses it shows that
ne does not want to accept the answer.
might stand here and quote decisions
Of the supreme court until the last
Porto Rican had starved and il would
have no effect u3on senators who diff
fercd from mo This cOuffnfion abs