The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-05
VIII Tell Mr.. Mckinley Exactly How
the People stand I'm Relation to
the Porto Rican Bill.
SENATE WILL MOVE SLOWLY
CONSERVATIVES WILL NOT PERMIT
ANY UNCONsIDERED ACTION.
Programme in the Two Houses for
the Week-Quay Case I'm the Senate
House Contests to BE Decided.
;pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March A. Chairman
Hernly, of the Indiana Republican COM
mittee, has been in consultation to-day with
senators and representatives from his
State. He has convinced them that the
Republican revolt against the Porto Rican
tariff bill is widespread and genuine, and
that the indignation is deep-seated. Mr..
Hernlys principal mission to Washington
was to advise with his friend, Representa-
tive Watson, who changed front on the bill
at the last moment and voted for it. His
talk with Mr.. Watson has served to brace
up that gentleman considerably and to
induce modification of the programme
which he had marked out for himself on
his return to Indiana. Prior to Mr.. Hern-
ly's arrival in Washington Mr. Watson had
decided to make his speech at Richmond
on the Sth defense of the Porto Rican
bill. Mr.. Watson left this afternoon for
home with different idea uppermost in
his mind. 1t is now his intention to inform
his friends in Indiana that he was as much
opposed to the bill at the end as he was
in the beginning. and that he is opposed
to it still, but that he voted for it because
the President asked him to and from
He does not believe the Republicans of
Indiana will hold it against him for laying
aside his convictions in this matter to
maintain party discipline If they do he will
have to stand the punishment; that, and
that alone, caused him to change front on
the bill. 1t is understood that the Pres
i1ent has given Mr.. Watson permission to
say to his Indiana constituents that he
(Mr. Mckinley personally urged him to
vote for the bill. and that it was in defer
ence to this request that he did so vote.
He will add that this request from the
White House was fortified and supple
mented by opportunities of the House lead.
ers to stand by them. Mr.. Watson has
been in great distress of mind ever since he
yielded to the pressure. but has finally
resolved to follow the manly course and
take his friends into his confidence and tell
them precisely why he voted as he did.
Mr.. Hernly will see the President to-
morrow by appointment, and will en-
tighten him as to the exact situation in
Indiana. He will give the executive a line
of informatin which cannot help disturb
ing the White House composure. What he
will say to the President may not be en-
of the Republican revolt will lose nothing
by Mr. Hernly's description of conditions
The statement may be made on the very
best authority that the conservative Re-
publicans in the Senate will not permit
early action on the Porto Rican tariff bill,
although they may let the appropriation
through in order to give relief to the in
habitants of the island. Senator'S Allison,
Aldrich, Cullom, Spooner, Davis and Others
Of that caliber and temperament have
called a halt They have heard from the
country and have advised that the great
mass of the people believe a serious mis-
take has been committed. Feeling sure
that this is the case, they do not propose
to allow the mistake TO be carried to a
conclusion. In any event they will delay
action until the people have had time to
cool down and find out just how angry they
really are and how long they propose to
stay angry. If the wrath which has taken
possession of the people shows signs of en-
during, then the bill will be allowed either
to die of inanition or 1T will De modified in
| a way TO afford the greatest satisfaction to
the greatest number. The proposition which
finds most favor among the conservative
Republican senator's is to lodge power in
the hands of the President to do what
may seem wisest to him in the premises.
and then proceed with the enactment of
| legislation giving the people of Porto Rico
a form of civil government. 1t is alto
gether probable this moderate and conserv-
ative course will finally be adopted. and
the Republican leaders in Congress. with
| the hearty cooperation of the President,
| will endeavor in this way to prove to the
people that their intentions toward the
| Porto Ricans were generous and just. But,
| first of all. 1t is the purpose of the Re-
publicans in Washington to move with ex-
| ceeding caution and do nothing TO add to
the popular tumult which has so astounded
the administration and the leaders who are
responsible for the blunder.