The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-01-29
MAY ENTER INTO CAMPAIGN.
PORTO RICO LEGISLATION is
CAUSING DIVISION.
In Forming a Government for Our
New Possessions Republicans
Are Divided.

WASHINGTON, JdNudry Ef.-topeCiai-t HN
possibility of the necessary legislation for
Porto Rico causing a serious division In
republican ranks is being seriously dis
cussed at the capitol. The discussion goes
SO far as TO take into account the posi-
bility of the question entering actively
into the next national campaign.
Just now the most active element en-
gagged in fomenting division in republican
ranks is that representing the extreme
protective wing of the republican party
and the principal point of attack is 'ie
free trade which would let in Porto
Rican sugars without duty. Not only are
the sugar people most aggressive IN as
sorting what they deem to be their rights
and demanding import duties upon sugar
but they have strong support from
other protection sources where II Is
pointed out that the whole structure OF
high protection Is endangered by this IN
nOvation.
Other serious obstacles have arisen in
the consideration of this question of for-
| to Rican legislation by congress and while
no distinct divisions have manifested
themselves in the hearings of the com
mittees. the fact that such divisions VIII
arise is generally conceded.
Necessity for Prompt Action
The necessity of prompt action in the
formation of some sort of governments
for the people of this island. concerning
whose possession there IS no dispute. IS
manifest to the administration leaders.
Just as soon "a the currency bill Is as
posed of the question will come before tle
senate and in the meantime the coih-
mittees of both houses of congress are
at work in earnest. The announcement
that n commission composed OF proiii'iei'
residents of the island is on It's way 70
Washington to lay before the oihCldiS
of the government the crying need Tor
relief has had a tendency To iorce 'ie
Porto Rican question to the front. but
no such action was necessary 10 us
the administration leaders to a fedi%a-
ton of the immediate need OF some SUI
Of Government to take the place of the
military rule The reports from the mn
,tary commanders have kept the presidei't
ard his advisers fully Informed oil the
status I'm Porto Rico. and from the hISI
n was determined that nothing In the
way OF legislation hut the admins lfs''loil
currency bin should be allowed righl OF
wov ahead of legislation for Porto i~iOo'
rrba senate committee of which Senator
| Foraker is chairman concluued lI7 e"ii
sultation with General DAVIS 'oN'I'
! Other witnesses are to be heard pS 'i0
o,..,r,,ittaa before any feature Of its leg
.slation Is formally Determined upon
tbinps have proceeded enough 10 develop
- 1oaet TWO possible stumbling blocks.
o., &c these is the tariff question anu
| tba otber is the measure of representation
| in tba new government which II IS saie
10 accord the Inhabitants Of the lsiahu-
Differ with the President.
81, ,....- ,,oint there has de-
valoned a difference OF opinion between
progident Mckinley and some of the lead
Inc. members of the senate and house com
mittees Both MI. Foraker ana MI
Cooper of Wisconsin. who Is chairman
of the house committee. believe in giving
10 the people of Porto Rico the largest
possible representation in their own GOV
eminent ana thAt without delay. ne
nresident on the other hand. is inclined
to believe that the people have not Yet
attained the stage when. it would be feas-
lille 10 Mace in their hands the election
of members of their general assembly.
as; Is the proposition in the Foraker am
| Cooper bills.
Those who favor popular e.ection of
/ the members of the assembly contend
that there can be no possible danger in
according To the people this measure OF
( self-government, especially as the gov
/
have the right of veto and the acts Of
the assembly would have to pass in re-
view before the governor and his execu-
{ tive council They argue that If the
people are ever to be given hand in
their own government. now Is the time
for the beginning TO be made.
1t is, Of course. matter OF opinion as
to whether the people possess the qualih-
cations fors this degree of se.f-govern-
ment or not. President Mckinney anc
I those who think with him incline To the
belief that they do not possess these quai-
ificatiOnS at the present time ana that.
therefore, it will be better TO withhold
the suggested powers from them untlI
such time in the near future Wheu. IN
the opinion of the represe natives of the
government. they shall have attained 10
"A higher state.
General Davis's Change of Front.
General Davis is one Of those who
holds to the latter view. In his state
ment to the senate committee. in the
course Of which he went into details CON
corning the conditions in the island. he
expressed the opinion that the peop.e
have not yet reached the stage when il
would be advisable to give them any hand
in the actual management OF the affairs
of the island. In a report sent from
Porto Rico. however. General Davis took
the contrary view Some Of those who
differ with him are inclined to believe
that this change on his part came about
after he reached Washington, but 10 is
a fact that before he left Porto Rico he
cabied to have his report withheld as
he desired to make some changes in IT,
Whether It was this feature that was
changed is not altogether clear.
Members of the senate committee stated
today that the commttecs's work has
not reached stage when this division
has developed. The committee has not
vet reached 4 discussion of the different
features of the proposed legislation. hav-
ing been engaged solely on listening To
the testimony of those familiar with the
conditions i'm the island but that there is
a wide diversity of opinion between lead
ing members OF congress and the presi-
dent upon these features is generally con-
ceded.
The Sugar Men.
Mr.. II. T. Oxnard. who IS much in
Washington looking after sugar interests.
said today that the representatives of
In their power To prevent the proposed
action with regard to free trade between
the mainland and this new island pos
session.
ITO admit sugar free of duty said
he in discussing the matter at the capitol
today, would be severe blow at the
sugar interests Of this country. We are
doing the best we know how 10 impress
upon republicans the fact that such a
position on their part is an abandonment
of their tariff principles. and we believe
that the arguments being advanced ON
that line are having weight
among republicans on this question: l