The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-22
HAS REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION.
pROMwELL AGAINST THE PORTO
RICAN TARIFF BILL.

xxould BE Better, He said to Modify
che Internal Revenue Laws-Henry
of Texas Says the Measure Is
worse Than British Tyranny-0nIy
npe Democrat Strongly Favors the
nil. and There Are Several Repub-
Iicans Against 1t.
washington, Feb. M.-For the first time
Il, tbe debate on the Porto Rican tariff
hin The voice of a Republican was to-day
raised against the measure. Mr.. BrOm-
,reU of Ohio spoke against the bill, but he
opposed it on the ground of policy and not
of constitutionality.
His hostility, however, was not so abSo-
1rte but that he announced his intention
Of voting for it, if the substitute failed.
The other speakers to-day were Mr.
Raw of New York and Mr.. Long of Kan
e,s for the bill, and Mr.. Henry of Texas
AGAINST it. The Republicans have decid-
cd to hold caucus or conference on the
bib Saturday night.
Although there are said to be between
twenty and thirty Republicans hostile TO
the measure, the Republican leaders who
are canvassing the situation say that not
more IIldu lOuI Vi uNt Will CdoI lilell
votes against it. They also say several
Democrats will support it. The only Dem
ocrat who is outspoken in his advocacy of
the bill is Mr.. Davey of Louisiana.
In the Doubtful Column.
Mcssrs Meyer and Broussard of Louis
lana, Mr.. De Vries of California. Mr.. Davis
and Mr. Sparkman of Florida are said to
he in the doubtful column, but the Dem
ocratic whip says that only Mr.. Davey
and Mr.. Sibley of Pennsylvania will vote
for it.
Mr. Wilson of Idaho, silver Republi-
can, is also said to be inclined to vote
for the bill. Some of the Republican op-
ponents OF the bill favor voting to recon-
init the measure. Hereafter the debate
will begin at II o'clock, and there will be
night sessions Friday and Saturday
Mr. Ray, chairman of the Judiciary
Committee of the House, devoted himself
closely to-day to the legal and constitu-
tional phases of the controversy over the
broad question as to whether new terri
tory was part of the United States in
political sense. He denied that any act
of the President or of Congress could ex-
tend the constitution as a constitution
over territory while it remained a ter
rltory. The influences of the constitu-
ton could ibe so extended but not the
constitution itself. The constitution only
covered the states of the Union. Porto
Rico and the Philippines were property of
the United States to be legislated for as
Congress chose.
Republican Against 1t.
Mr.. Cromwell of Ohio was the first Re
publican to oppose the bill upon the floor.
lie said he did not doubt the power of
Congress to enact this legislation, but he
did not agree with its justice or equity.
lie strongly advocated the original bill.
Mr.. Bromwell asserted the President had
told representative of a great Republi-
can newspaper organ within several days
past practically that he Still favored the
original bill, and Mr.. Cromwell insisted
that if ne has obtained additional informal
ton justifying a change of views he
should communicate it to Congress. He
would. however, if necessary, accept half
a loaf in this legislation. Concluding, he
said that the only conclusion he Gould
reach is that the opposition which has
been made by certain interests in the
country has been powerful enough for the
Ways and Means Committee to change
their minds.
IF merely in order to proclaim your
right to legisfate as you choose" he said,
you deem it necessary to make any dis
tuction in the tariff laws of the two
countries, let it be shown by a modifca-
ton of the internal revenue laws, which
shah relieve rather than increase, the
burdens of the islands. This means much
for the Porto Ricans. If treated unfairly,
If they look with suspicion upon our pro-
fessions of friendship they will be ready
TO cast off their allegiance and join our
foes whenever opportunity offers"
Catering to Sugar Interests.
Mr.. Henry of Texas followed in opposi-
ton TO the bill, which. he said, was more
damnable than the laws enacted by the
British Parliament against the people who
Inhabited the thirteen colonies prior to 1776.
He charged that the change of base had
occurred to appease the sugar and tobac-
co interests of this country, which feared
the effect of free imports from Porto Rico.
Mr. Long of. Kansas, a member of the
Ways and Means Committee, closed the
debate for the day with a speech in ia
vor of the bill. 1t was a political ques-
ton and must be met now.
Porto Rico was PROSTATE. Relief could
come only by the authorization of a loan,
a direct appropriation out of the United
states treasury or the enactment of a law
TO raise revenue. The committee consid-
cred that the last method was prefera-
bic
At o'clock the House adjourned.