The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-03-15
PORTO RICAN LEGISLATION
REPUBLICAN, SENATORS REACH a
Partial AGREEMENT.
Tariff Bill to be Delayed for the Present
House Bill Appropriating $4,000
for tho Island to be Passed at Once
Also to be Disposed of as Soon ms Poa-
sible.

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Washington, March 14.-The republi-
can senators in caucus to-day reached
partial agreement on Porto Rican
legislation. The house bill appropriate
ing $2,00O,000, the money received from
the islands custom receipts since it fell
into the hands Of the United States, is
to be taken up and passed Immediately.
The bill for a civil government Of the
island Is to be taken up and disposed Of
as soon as possible and the tariff bill
is to be delayed for the present, while
committee of seven senators to be
selected by Chairman Allison, is to try
TO compromise differences on the reve-
nue. bill and secure a measure which
republican senators generally can sup-
port. This partial agreement was
reached after caucus lasting from
o'clock until p. m.
The temper of the debate to-day was
much milder than that of yesterday.
When it was generally understood that
the tariff features were to be postponed,
the discussion reverted to the govern
mental features Of the bill and upon this
subject the time was mostly spent. Sem
ator Foraker explained many features
of the bill and was frequently interro-
gated, so that he was on his feet
great deal of the time. He was ques-
toned by different senators, most Of
whom wanted to know the effect of diff
ferent provisions Of the bill. 1t was in
timated that the bill could be amended
If nto satisfactory and senators opposed
to tariff on Porto Rican products said
that there would not be the least objec-
tion to passing the government bill
Senator Ellxins said that he favored
leaving not only the question Of reve-
nues but the government Of the island
as well to the president. He thought
the island would be much better of
under military rule for the next two
years than under any government that
could be devised by conditions. He par
ticularly counselled delay I'VE will
know lot more about this whole ques-
ton In year or two years than we
know now,'' he said, land the islands
will be as we'll taken care of during
that time as they would be under any
legislation we may pass
Senator Elkins said that haste was
not necessary and earnestly supported
the proposition to delay the tariff bill
and said he thought the governmentalI
bill might well be delayed too
Senator Foraker said that the quks-
tion of dealing with the islands was<be-
fore congress and he for one thought
congress should act The committee on
Porto Rico had given a great deal Of
time to the subject and felt sure the
bill prepared would meet all emergen-
cies.
There was general unanimity as to the
wisdom of providing for immediate ac-
tion on the $2OoO,OO0 relief proposition,
the opinion of all the senators being
that that measure should be passed for
humane reasons. There was some effort
to have the appropriation bill, the house
tariff bill and the senate bill considered
at one time, but this was antagonized
as likely to result in too great delay.
Senator Hoar talked at considerable
length about the legal phase of the
question, expressing the opinion that
the senate could not act with too great
in considering SO momen.
tous a subject.
Many other speeches were made ON
the same line, notably by Senators AL
drich and Mason. At this point the
of committee was made.
and as soon as the authority for it's APP
pointment was given the caucus ad.
journed sine die.