New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-19
POLITICS IN THE HOUSE.
A HOT CONTROVERSY OVER THE PRESI-
DENTS ATTITUDE ON PORTO
RICAN TARIFF

Washington April 1S.-The debate the Naval
Appropriation bill under the fve-rninute rule to-
day drifted politics. for good portion of
the afternoon members fought hammer and tongs
across the political aisle. The partisan rancor al
most eliminated in a sensational scene between
Mr. Grosvenor. of Ohio, and Mr.. Williams. OF Mis-
sissppi Some of the Democrats began worrying
Mr. Hawley of Texas, by pontedly asking If the
President had not changed his mind the Porto
Rican tariff question and Mr. Grosvenor finally
threw himself into the breach Mr. Williams made
an interruption that drew sharp rejonder from
the Ohioan about the unfair advantage taken
by the Mississppian This aroused the wrath of
the latter. and after Mr.. Grosvenor had concluded
he made singing response. in which he said that
parliamentary language would not permit MIN
properly to characterize Mr.. Grosvenor's offence.
Later Mr.. Grosvenor disclaimed intentional afront
and there the matter ended
Some progress made with the bill but most
OF the controverted points went over. A motion TO
strike out the contingent fund of 100000 for the
Navy Department defeated. A point of order
against the appropriation of s35O.0oo for the new
Naval Academy at Annapolis pending when
the House adjourned.
Mr.. Williams quoted an alleged interview with
the president Of Western university. in which.
speaking of the Presidents position on the Porto
Rican bill, he had said that while 1t might be
proper TO speak of Peel and Gladstone having
changed their minds public questions, it would
be more precise to say that President Mckinley
had permitted his mind to be changed for him.
daughter and applause on the Democratic side)
Does not the gentleman know that the pur-
ported interview utterly repudiated by its al
legged author?" asked Mr.. Grosvenor.
The gentleman does know IT. but II it was
repudiated the anecdote is Just true own
responsibility" replied Mr.. Williams, who pro-
ceeded to ask whether ii true that the
President had charged his mind the Porto Rican
question
There considerable fencing In which Mr..
Wheeler of Kentucky, took a hand
doe he tho has
changed his mind?" asked Mr.. Kitchin, of North
Carolina addressing Mr.. Grosvenor.
Mr.. GROSVENOR DEFENDS THE PRESIDENT.
las soon as it became manifest to the President
that money had to be raised in some way, and that
the Ways and Means Committee of this House had
brought a tariff bill providing for 10 cent or
20 per cent" replied Mr. Grosvenor 1.-The President
recognized the right and power Of this House to
originate that tariff bill Up 10 the very last mo-
ment of the passage of that Porto Rcan bill |
gentlemen on the other side insisted that the
President was still favor Of free trade in Porto
Rico. and newspapers from one end Of this CONT
nent TO the other claimed that on this side or
the House were in a contest with the President,
that the President had changed his mind,
that he was still in favor of trade. But call
the gentlemans attention TO the fact that in the
message of the President he gave sign or indi-
cation Of when desired that free trade measure |
should go into effect We. by vote, put 1t so
that within the sixty days, ninety days, four
months, any time after the organization of the !
sy s % 2ssR Of has E0E signed sf2 sa9
thereby given his approval to it."
The gentleman says the President bows TO the |
will Of Congress" said Mr. Wheeler. In the de- |
bate the Porto Rican question, when the gentle
appealed to his colleagues TO support the !
pending bill. he charged II to be true that the !
President Of the United States was then in accord
with him"
Mr.. Grosvenor-I say
Mr.. Wheeler-He changed his opinion
Mr.. Grosvenor-I say he did not change his opin- |
ion in any material respect; he simply changed |
from the original idea of free trade what was |
almost the condition trade that appended
the measure. The country understands it. Con- |
gresham after Congressman who stood here in de- |
fence of the bill has gone his constituents just
when the Democratic noise the lOudest, and |
has been sent back here with a unanimity almost |
unparalleled in the nomination OF Congressman. |
And the great body Philadelphia, the Manu- |
facturers' Association, yesterday approved of the
Porto Rican bill-the very body that few weeks |
ago quoted this floor opposed II. |
applause the Republican sideD And from one
end OF this country the other the people OF this
country are taking care of it The Republican party
"a no b Ile .T "a by ne % OF me w0r h
Hcan side) We have got something to show for
our opinions. Witness the splendid organization
the liberal generous Christian laws that we have
bestowed pes upon the people Of Porto Rico Look at
on this side OF the water should have extended
to the people Of the Philippine Islands But we
admit that the people Of Porto Rico and the people
of the Philippine Islands were upon equal foot
on the Republican stde) We would not consent
that millions and millions of MaIays and all those
labor markets, and will make IL warm for you
before the campaign is over, daughter and ap-
Constitution carried equal citizenship the Malays
and the Chinese Of the Philippine Islands and that
we would not let you do il. but in due time under
blessings of God we will send liberty and equal
rights as rapidly as they can comprehend them to
sdel
SHARP REPLY FROM Mr.. WILLIAMS
When Mr.. Grosvenor took his seat Mr. Williams
demanded an opportunity to reply and time was
given TO him
Mr. Chairman" said he speaking with deI,ber
alton, as a grows old he learns something !
I have learned something to-day. l will never
again. while member of the American Congress
this floor who is not sufficiently well versed in the
ordinary courteses OF human intercourse as TO be
polite inquiry. Further than that it would be al
most impossible for me, without breach of parla-
lnentary rules, 10 express myself upon that par
ticular subject
L asked the gentleman from Clio question
which he either could answer or would NOT an /
swer or in his usual lawyerIike, politician stvle
desired 10 evade That question has been an
swered yet. The gentleman said this floor that
the President Of the United States hal not changed
was that he had permitted others 10 change his |
thing of which any man could ar anv lime me- he
proud But. in charity to the President and in !
charity 70 many Of the members of this House I
President had changed his mind that he permit
whether the President had not in pT5iic rn ra-
between Porto Rico and the balance Of the United
whether Of hjS