Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-08
ON PORTO RICAN BILL
Mr.. Pettus Speaks in Opposition to
a Tariff.
Mr.. FORAKER FOR THE MEASURE
Aldrich-Robbins Contested Cas-
in the House.
CURRENCY BILL PROGRAM

A bill giving American register to the
steamer Windward. presented by British
citizen to Robert E. Peary, u S. N. the
arctic explorer, was passed by the Senate
at the opening of todays session.
concurrent resolution offered by Mr..
Culberson CTex) directing the Secretary
of War TO report survey and an esti-
mate of cost for improving the main ship
channel in Sabine Pass. Tex, was adopted.
When the routine business had been con-
ciuded. Mr.. Mason CID. in accordance with
the notice he gave yesterday, moved TO
discharge the committee foreign rela-
lions from further consideration of his
resolution introduced December last ex-
pressing sympathy for the Beers. Under
the rules the motion went over until to-
morrow.
Mr.. Pettus CAIa-) then addressed the
Senate on the Porto Rico bill. He congrat-
ulated the President on the position he had
taken in his last annual message favoring
free trade between the United States and
Porto Rico.
NO 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 be-
tween the United States and the Island Of
Porto Rico
Both houses of the present Congress"
continued Mr.. Pettus, are controlled by
the republican party. The President Is the
executive head of the party now in power,
and We had right TO hope and to believe
that he would have some influence over his
party in Congress. especially as the rally
ing cry for the past three years has been
support the adninjstra ton
The public press Is now trying to make
US believe that 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,', declared Mr.. Petrus, 81 refuse
- to believe this charge against the Presi-
dent. Though he may desire reelection.
he was brave soldier and is an able ard
generous man. For him 1t is not every
thing in life to be reelected to the presi-
deucy by his party. He has acted for the
common good of all the people. If he ap-
proves your bill then may believe amy vile
= story against a good man
Mr.. Pettus maintained that the policy of
the bill was bad, aside from the question
OF law. He hoped senators would not per-
init the enactment of such a law. at is
Illegal he declared, land is hardly de-
cent
Mr. Pettus said he had taken the floor
merely to direct attention to the fact that
E the pending bill could not be enacted into
law without violating the Constitution,
which declared that all duties shall be uni
form throughout the United States. He
also called attention to the amendment pro-
posed by Mr.. Davis, which, he said, was
a. most interesting specimen of the prod
uCts of inventive genius.
The senator proposes said Mr.. Pettus,
stitution in installments-a little now and
little then"
In conclusion, Mr.. Pettus besought the
Senate not to attempt by act of Congress to
change the Constitution
Mr.. Foraker Follows.
Mr.. Foraker followed Mr.. Pettus in an
argument in favor of the Porto Rico bill.
THE HOUSE.
At the opening of the session of the House
today Mr.. Overstreet Qnd), in charge Of
the conference report upon the financial
bill. gave notice that be would call up the
report next Tuesday BY unanimous con-
sent 1t was agreed that the vote on the
report should be taken at 4:3O O'Clock Tues
day afternoon.
The debate upon the contested election
case Of Aldrich against Robbins, from the
fourth Alabama district, which was inter-
rupted yesterday by the adjournment out
OF respect to the memory of the late Rep
resentative Harmer of Pennsylvania, was
then resumed, under the agreement that
the vote should be taken at 2:39 p. m. today.
Mr.. Hamilton (Mich.) addressed the
House in behalf of the claims Of the con-
testant Mr.. Aldrich.
Robbins Defeated.
The resolutions were defeated, 1874 to 1873,
b. strict party vote