The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-26
But Advocates of a Tariff Objected, as
They Did to Other Propositions
Looking to a Compromise.
VOTE TO BE TAKEN TUESDAY
AND AN EFFORT WILL BE MADE To
AGREE BEFORE THAT TIME.
Another Caucus Called for Tonight
ATTEMPT to BE Made to Seat Sem
atOr Quay This Week.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The efforts to
unite the Republicans of the House on the
Porto Rican bill have failed, and at mid
night, after prolonged conferences, it was
stated that matters were substantially
where they were yesterday. Other efforts
at harmony may be made tomorrow. A
long conference was held tonight at the
residence of Representative Mccall, OF Mas
sachusetts. between the committee appoint
ed at the Republican conference last night
representing the Republicans In favor of
the pending Porto Rican tariff bill and a
committee agreed on to-day by those Re-
publicans who are opposed to the measure.
The latter committee was made up of
Messrs. Powers of Vermont, Crumpacker
of Indiana, Lorimer of Illinois, Mccall of
Massachusetts,, and Littlefield Of Maine.
Preliminary to this meeting the opponents
Of the bill to the number of about ten had
assembled at Mr.. McCall's house during
the afternoon and determined on the stand
they would take and on their five repre-
sentatives. Mr.. Weeks of Michigan was
among those at the afternoon session, and
he remained with the committee of five to
participate in to-night's meeting. PROPOSE
tions pro and con were made by both Sides
but none of those made on behalf of the
advocacy Of the pending bill amounted to
an abandonment of the principle of the
Issue, namely, the right of the United
States to levy a tax on imports from Porto
Rico. and as its opponents consider this
the fundamental objection to the measure
no agreement could be reached.
1t was stated after the conference by
members opposed to the bill that both sides
were practically in the same position as
they had been before the meeting, that
substantially no progress had been made,
and that there was no probability of an
other gathering before the conference of
Republicans called for tomorrow night.
From their statements it was evident they
intended to maintain the position they have
held all along. that under the Constitution
the government has no right to tax the
products of territory under control of the
United States.
1t was suggested by opponents of the
pending bill that the whole matter be left
in the hands Of the President, with the un-
derstanding that Porto Rico should have
free trade with the United States, but this
was objected to and nothing came of it,
The opponents of the committee bill also
suggested that the original bill, introduced
by Mr.. Payne. providing for free trade, be
substituted on the floor of the House for
the committee bill, but this likewise failed
to receive favorable consideration by the
advocates of the pending masure.
Considerable talk was indulged in over
the proposition made by the committee bill
advocates to fix time limit during which
| the tariff of % per cent. against the i'm
ports of Porto Rico shall remain effective,
| this time varying from two years to an
| indefinite period, but the opposition indi-
Gated their unalterable opposition to any
| tariff, no matter how short the time of its
| imposition may be. Mr.. Powers, of ver-
mont, one Of the opponents Of the bill as 1t
stands. however, 1t is said. was favorable
| to its passage with limit. but his asso-
ciates would not concur in this.
With a view to meeting some of the OBJ
| jections to the bill its advocates suggested
| a change in its title which would indicate
| that 1t was intended as an exigency meas
ure for the purpose Of raising revenue, but
| this also found no favor with the opposi-
| ton, who reiterated their hostility to the
| bill on principle. One of the advocates of
| the measure after the conference expressed
| would become law with a provision limit
| ing the time during which it shall remain
| In force.