The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-23
Republicans Awkward Position
on Porto Rican Bill.
ARE RUSHING TO COVER
WOULD APPEAsE INDIGNATION
OF THE PEOPLE.
Democratic Senators Expose the
Schemes of Their Opponents IL
Regard to Legislation For the Is
lands-Makeshift to Escape From
an Unpleasant Dilemma.

Washington, March 22.-Almost the
entire session OF the senate today was
spent in the discussion of the confer
ence report upon the Porto Rican ap-
preparation bill. The Democratic sena-
tors manifested a disposition to criti-
else The restoration Of the house pro-
vision covering future collections Of
revenue, protesting to find in this &C
ton the desire to continue. the Dlnsdey
tariff. Speeches were made on unese
lines by Messrs. Bacon, Cockrell, Jones
(Arkansas), Berry and Allen.
The Republicans met the taunt with a
proposition TO take a vote Immediately
upon the house Porto Rican tariff Dill,
and it looked at one time as if the
unanimous consent would be secured
for u vote on the tariff measure tonlor-
row. Senator Proctor objected, how
ever. on behalf Of the Republican free
traders, and when he indicated VIII
ingneSs TO agree TO a vote next week,
Senator PedtUs put an end to the pro-
ceeding by calling for the regular order
OF business.
Mr. Bacon objected especially to the
concession on the part of the senate to
the house contention that the apDrc-
pTiatiCn should cover future collections,
as We'll as those accruing up to Jan. l.
Beneath what is he said, a very harm
less change, he found very radical ac-
ton, declaring that it was the purpose
of the bill to provide for the contin-
gency that the tariff bill now pending
may fail. In that event the revenue
arrangement would continue.
Expresses the People
Mr.. Bacon launched upon G general
argument upon the Republican policy
with reference to trade between the
United States and the islands acquired
in the war with Spain. No such out
cry, ne said, had been witnessed re-
Gently as that which had gone up from
all over the country after the passag e
Of the house bill, which was intenCed
10 Cypress an unprotected people. Nat
urally the Republican leaders had
sought to find protecting shelter from
this storm. and this bill was intended
as a peace offering TO appease the in,
dignation Of the people.
What the people Of the island wanted
was free intercourse with the people Of
this country, and MT misdirected char
ity. He favored a free territorial gov
emmett like Oklahoma and New Mex
leo, and said the Democrats would vote
at once for a bill on these lines.
Mr.. COekreH said that 10 accept this
report would fix the Dingley tariff as
the controlling factor in arranging the
tariff for our commerce with Porto
Rico. He quoted Governor General
Davis. Secretary Root and President
Mckinley in support of a free trade
measure. Il wish to God 1 could in
scribe this utterance indelibly upon the
tablet of the memory of the sleeping.
dreaming senators on the Republican
side of the chamber" He asked what
mysterious, though potent influence
made the Republicans seek to compel
he president to stultify himself by re-
curing him to sign this bill.
Attitude of Delay.
Mr.. Allison defended the conference
,eport and criticised the Democratic at
titude of delay.
Mr.. Allen (Nebraska) cOntended that
the appropriation bill was merely a
rnakesiift to allow the Republican
party to escape from an awkward di-
leuIrna. The Republican ship was leak
ing, and was about to founder, and II
must be rescued and repaired. Mr..
Allen then referred to a newspaper re-
port that the Republican party was
raising $50, 600. 900 for the next CAM
paign, and in this connection fell into
a somewhat spirited cOlloquy with Mr..
BeVeridge.
Pointing to the Republican side of
the senate, Mr.. Allen said: You dare
not bring the house bill fixing a tariff
of Is per cent before the senate and put
e to a vote. Your purpose Is TO let that
bill sleep, and you only desire TO deceive
the people
Mr.. Foraker asked Mr.. Allen if he
would agree. on behalf Of the oppOsi-
ton. to a vote today on the house bill.
His position was TO withdraw the SEN
ate substitute, which is the govern
mental bill for Porto Rico, and permit
a vote upon the house tariff bill alone
before adjournment today.
Mr.. A4len replied that so far as he
was concerned, he was entirely willing
to consent to the proposition.
Il join most heartily in the request
of the senator from Ohio" he said.
Proctor Objects.
Mr.. Proctor CVermont) objected to
immediate action. He said the turn
which affairs had taken was uneXpect-
ed. and that Republican senators who
were unfavorable to a tariff on COM
merce between the United States and
Porto Rico had not been prepared for
so early a vote.
1--WE want no unreasonable DELAY,
he said, but we 90 object TO q vote
this week. Fix II for, say, week from
today"
After further COfOQuy between
Nessrs. Proctor and Foraker, the latter
agreed TO Mr.. Proctors proposition
This did not suit Mr.. Allen, who said;
Il don't like the senator from Ohio to
run away from my proposition. He at
tempted to run a bluff, and his own
party called him.
At this DSint Mr.. Pettus called for
the regular order, saying: II don't
think these gentlemen should come IN
here and consume the entire time IN
Dragging one against the other"
This brought to close the effort 10
Gr dav fnr q vote