Evening star., 1901-12-18
Republican sWhips' Promise Re-
garding Philippine Tariff.
SOME BREAKS ON BOTH SIDES
Taking of Vote Fixed for Four
O'clock.
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION

The whips on both sides Of the House
were actively at work this morning pre-
pairing for the vote on the Philippine tariff
bill, which is set for pm. This will be
the first division Of any Importance since
the new membership of the House assem-
bled The republican majority at present is
81, as against IA in the last House. Rep
resentative Tawney, the republican whip,
said Of the probable result Of the vote:
THE bill will pass by a liberal majority.
although there will be some breaks on both
sides. On the republican side we will not
lose to exceed eight votes. This loss will
be partially compensated by the gain of the
Louisiana delegation of six votes. The net
result shows that the bill will pass without
trouble"
The republican members who have an
nounced opposition to the bill are Repre-
ser atives Mccall (Mass.), Littlef1eld (Me.)
and Crumpacker Qnd.). The latter is alb
sent and will be paired against the bill II
possible, although democratic members are
refusing to pair with him owing to his atti-
tude on southern elections. Representative
Warner Qll) and three republican MEM
DerS or the Minnesota delegation are among
the other republicans whose votes are
doubtful and may be cast against the bill.
Small Attendance in the Galleries.
The attendance in the House galleries at
noon did not indicate much public interest
in the debate. Mr.. Henry CTex) was the
first speaker. He characterized the bill as
oppressive and outrageous. Months instead
of two days, he said, would not be too long
for the discussion Of a measure Of vital
interest to 100000 people. He dwelt upon
the injustice of the double export and i'm
port tax on rice, sugar and tobacco, and
charged that this double taxation was in
the interest of the sugar and tobacco
trusts.
Mr.. Henry took issue with his Louisiana
colleagues as to the effect of free trade
with the Philippines upon the sugar in
dustry of Louisiana. He pointed out that
Porto Rico last year produced more sugar
for export than the Philippines, and denied
that free sugar from the islands would
threaten the Louisiana industry with an
limitation. Thesebenefits from the sale of
cotton and rice, he argued, would more
than compensate fer any injury to the
sugar industry
Mr.. Williams 1Miss3 followed Mr.. Henry.
He said that as long as the Philippine
archipelago was part of the United
States and within its domain 1t should be
treated as part of the Union, with the
same equality and uniformity enjoyed by
the other territories, But to avoid the en-
barrassments. hardships and difficulties of
the situation he believed We should get
rid of the islands asy soon as We could do
so with honor to ourselves and benefit to
the Filipinos.
supeme Court Criticized.
Mr.. Williams paid his respects to the
Supreme Court, which. he said. arrived at
its decision by "a. Shifting majority of
one." 1t decided that the islands were
sometimes domestic and sometimes for
eign. 1t made OF the old, inelastic oath
bound, Constitution .Aan instrument that
would bend to political necessities There
was no danger, he said, If the country
proceeded along Its present lines Of be-
coming a mother country" for peoples in
the east. 1t was more likely te become a
"stepmother'' country.
Opposed to Cuban Independence.
Mr.. Hepburn 0owa) followed Mr. WILL
Jams. He supported the bill. He said the
democrats offered nothing in the way of a
blu to improve the present measure He
declared the Fiipinos were incapable Of
self-government, and in reply to a question
by Mr.. Shafroth as to the capability of the
Cubans, said they also were not fit for self
government He said the democratic party
forced the administration into a position
where 1t was compelled to declare for the
independence Of Cuba,
This was greeted with democratic ap-
plause.
You may applaud said Mr.. Hepburn,
but the time is not distant when you will
Independence" Republican applause)