The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-16

that their collection was violative of the
fundamental principles of our Govern
ment
Further he expressed his opinion that
the funds collected in duties ought to be.
returned not to Porto Rico but to the
people from whom the duties were col
lected.
SPOONER OPPOSES JONES.
Mr.. Spooner (Wis.) said he hoped no
Senator would endeavor to place on the
bill any amendment about which there
would be a division of opinion. The mea-
sure was one of mercy, of humanity, OF
generosity and had grown out of condi-
ton entirely new to the American people,
He vigorously opposed the amendment
offered by Mr.. Jones. This money he
said. had been collected largely from
the sugar and tobacco people who were
we'll able to pay it, and he believed that
it had been rightfully collected.
why" said Mr.. Spooner, should we
anticipate the decision of the courts in
this matter? Suits are now pending TO
recover this money In my judgment the
duties were levied properly and cannot
be recovered
Mr. Turley (Tenn.) asked Mr.. Spooner
why it would not be well for Congress TO
wait until the courts had passed upon
the question before appropriating this
money.
YES" replied Mr.. Spooner, vehement
w. wait Let the people of Porto Rico
starve until the courts have determined
whether we shall pay back the money col
lected as duties to the sugar and tobacco
trusts I cannot believe the Senator
would stand by any such proposition as
that
Mr.. CLAY (Ga) inquired of Mr.. Spooner
if it were not true that, in the midst OF
their Distress we had collected TINS
burdensome tax from the people OF Porto
Rico.
mo. it is not" replied the Wisconsin
Senator. THE duties were paid by a
comparatively few people, and those are
not the poor people. We were right in
imposing the tariff and we are right in
making this appropriation.
COCKRELL ALSO AGAINST HIM
Mr.. CockreIl (Mo.) said he had always
believed in the great economic theory
that the consumer of an imported article
pays the tax and he therefore opposed
Mr. Jones substitute.
1--WE all know" concluded Mr. Cockrell.
''that some excitement has been created
the country by this proposed
Porto Rican legislation. The President,
the Secretary of War and the Governor
General of the Island recommend free
trade between the island and the United
States.
This question was presented and
another legislative body which had au-
thority decided the matter so far as it
was concerned. This body, or part of
it has been put in a dilemma; but that
has little pertinence here and now. This
appropriation ought to be made and at
once because the people need it and be-
cause it is right"
REPUBLICAN MASK TORN OFF.
Mr. Bacon took the ground covered by
Mr. Cockrell. While he favored the bill,
he did not, he said, by any means, shut
his eyes to the fact thai the measure
was intended not as much as great
humanitarian project as to afford the Re-
publicans an egress from a serious politi-
cal dilemma. He said that after the ac-
ton of the House had raised a storm
throughout the country this bill had
been sprung suddenly in order to assist
the Republican party in it's political
maneouvering.
Mr. Allen offered an amendment declar-
ing the Paris treaty had the effect of ex-
tending the Constitution over Porto Rico
and it's inhabitants.
Mr.. Foraker said it was his purpose
still to press the governmental bill.
Mr. Pettigrew announced his opposition
to the passage of the bill, saying that it's
only necessity was political. He thought
the bill did not provide any money for
the relief of the suffering Porto Ricans.
He contended that the only reason for
urgency in the passage of the measure
was to allay the political clamor. Evil
IDENTIFY the Republican party had decided
that to betray Porto Rico was preferable
to changing the system of protection.
Mr.. Pettigrew admitted that the situa-
ton was embarrassing. "If you don't
put a duty on tobacco and fruit, he said.
1.-The tobacco raisers of Connecticut and
the fruit raisers of California are liable
to vote against the Republican ticket,
while if you do provide for duty you
violate the pledge made to the Porto
Ricans when we took possession of the
island"
THE GALLINGER- PENROSE ROW.
Mr.. Penrose pleaded a few minutes IN
order to make a statement, and when
this was granted he asked that the reSo-
luton in regard tO tho seating of Hon.