The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1900-03-15
THE HOUSE, BILL
General Disposition Among the
Senate Republicans Is
Adopt 1t,
Though the Determination of the
Minority to Oppose It Is
Persistent.
- s,
Senator Davis Said to Have De-
clared He Would Not Be
Bound.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE Repub-
ican senators spent the early hours Of
the session of the senate discussing
among themselves plans for the contin-
uation of the caucus on the Porto Rican
bill called for the afternoon.
While a majority still felt bound to
observe the secrecy imposed on the in
itial caucus, most of them freely adj
mitted that a deadlock with numerous
shades Of opinion demanding recogni.
ton existed. None would admit, how
ever, that there wa any serious doubt
of reaching an harmonious solution of
the problem, and most Of them ex.
pressed the opinion that the result
would be reached at the afternoon ses.
sion Of the caucus.
There is an apparently increased dis.
position to adopt the house revenue bill.
leaving the governmental questions pre-
sented in the senate measure to be dealt
with later. It is asserted by those who
favor this course that a large majority
of the Republican members can be
brought to this view, but it is admitted
that the minority is very persistent in
its determination to oppose this course
in the interest Of absolute free trade.
Senator Foraker and other members
of the Porto Rican committee are still
holding to the senate bill.
One suggestion which it was believed
could be the basis of q compromise, is to
leave the Is per cent duty in the bill
and adopt an amendment providing
that it shall only be collected until a
system of raising revenue in some other
manner by internal taxation can be de.
vised which will furnish evenue to
conduct the government.
First Caucus Session.
The first session of the caucus lasted
two and one-half hours, and during
the deuate there were some sharp pas
sages alarms. 1t was generally agreed,
however, that from a partystandpoint
almost any bill was better than none,
and this feeling gave the friends of the
measur hope despite the apparently un-
yielding attitude Of the opposing fac
tions. They are still holding to the bill
as originally introduced and express the
belief that it will form the basis of
whatever settlement is agreed upon:
This opinion is based upon what was
said in a general way and not upon any
poll Of the caucus, for there was moth
ing approaching a vote during the
meeting.
Those a who favored the prop.
osition of a tariff on Porto Rican goods
coming into this country and free trade
for goods going to Porto Rico said that
this course will be humane in principle
since it would afford free entry of food
and supplies needed by the Porto Ri
cans, while the tariff on goods coming
into this country would supply evenue
for the island and also retain the princi-
pie of protection.
Senator Hanna made a speech that
was listened to with great interest. He
favored the house bill and especially the
tariff provisions and urged the Repub-
licans to stand firmly together for the
bill.
Senator Davis, who recently intro
duced an amendment extending that
portion Of the constitution relative to
taxation over the island, made quite an
extended speech, taking strong grounds
in favor Of free trade with Porto Rico.
He said that it was not because the tar.
if would keep out or let in certain prod.
ucts that congress should act, but be-.
cause the almost universal sentiment Of
the people should be needed.