Evening star., 1902-02-14
MR.. MITCHELL'SSPEECH
WOULD CUT DUTIES ON PHILIP
PINE PRODUCTS.
Declares That the Pacific Coast Shouk
Not Be Disseminated Against
Vote Possible Next Week.

Vote Possible Next Week.
While no definite agreement has been
reached vote upon the Philippine tar.n
bill in the Senate seems to be i'm sight. 1t
appears likely, Judging from a discussion
of the subject late in yesterdays session,
that the vote may be had next week. al
though the matter is still involved In some
uncertainty.
Mr. Mitchell of Oregon delivered care
fully prepared speech yesterday in support
of his amendment to reduce the tariff du-
ties upon Philippine products coming into
this country to 30 per cent OF the Dngiey
rates. maintaining that Congress owed TINS
concession to the Pacific coast states. as
well as to the Philippines themselves.
After The Stars report of the Senate
proceedings closed yesterday MIR.
Mitchell, referring TO the proposition To
grant trade concessions to Cuba, said:
That We have as i nation given pledge
that stable government shall be eStab-
lished and maintained in Cuba is conceded
This must be done and this is being done
But this pledge does not, l submit, impose
on us duty to make trade concessions to
the planters and producers of Cuba when
Will materially initiate against the plant
ers, agrcuturists and producers of our
own country. Such n concession is not an
| obligation resting upon us, either expressly
or by implication. OF course, If rect
Cuba which will be 10 the advantage of our
people or which viii not seriously affect
adversely any American interest or Ameri-
can labor. and which may be of benefit to
Cuban interests. then. by all means. let
have it.
Why Discriminate
Il submit, further, that if the policy
forced in the last Congress OF permitting
the products of Porto Rico to come into
the United States at 50 per cent reduction
of the rates of duty imposed by the Ding
ley act and later on entirely free, and thls
all largely in the interest of the trade and
commerce of the people OF the Atlantic
states, as We'll as of the people of Porto
Rico then upon what principle of right or
Justice or equity must the people of the
Pacifc coast states pay the same rates on
philippine products coming into this coun-
try that are imposed by the Dngley acty
Why impose one rule insular pos
sessions. in the Atlantic ocean and another
on our possessions in the Pacific oceany
What occult force. If any is. operating on
the Congress of the United States and this,
too. without Congress seemingly being con-
scious of the fact which seems to COM
pei the nations parliament to arrive at
such absolutely contradictory conclusons?"'
In advocacy of his amendment Mr.. Mitch
ell said that Governor Taft had given it as
his opinion that 1t would be wise to admit
Philippine products at 15 per cent of the
Dingley rates. This, he thought, was the
correct idea.
urged. concessions in trade which will
| instill into their minds ncouragement CON
hdence and hope, which will cause them to
realize the wide difference between the iron
and hurtful rule of the Spanards and the
beneficent and helpful rule Of the Ameri-
cans
Strike Out Against Trusts.
Further along he said: LET Congress
strike out boldly against the manufacture
ing Industries which have ripened into gi-
gantic trusts and which have brought and
are bringing to the'r promoters princely in
dividual wealth. but let Congress hesitate
to strike down In its infancy an agrcul-
tural industry like that of the sugar beet.
The sugar trust. the steel trust and GER
tain other formidable combinations that
might be mentioned. are able to stand
alone. The beet sugar industry is not The
former do not need protection, the latter
does"
referring to the argument that the
United States was bound to accord to all
nations the right to deal with the Filtpinos
| on the same basis as that enjoyed by Amer
leans, Mr.. Mitchell said: An open door in
the orient is all We'll enough but If the
price of IT is to be the surrender OF a prin-
ciple. of the right TO exercise the very high
est prerogatiyes attaching to us as an in
dependent sovereign power. then that door
had better be forever closed"
Control of Transportation.
He thought our capacity to hold our
share or the oriental trade depended mainly
| upon our ability to control. the great trans
portation lines. Our merchant MARINE"
| he declared, must be lifted from it's pres
ent insignifcance a factor In the carry
ing trade of the world aud we as a nation
must rise paramount and take our position
as a commercial nation in the front rank
Of those controlling the worlds transporta-
tion.'
He made strong appeal for the enact
ment of the amendments he had proposed.
believing that they would receive the ap-
proyal of fair minded, right thinking peo-
pie.
Time for Final Vote.
When Mr.. Mitchell concluded his speech
a effort was made by Mr. Lodge in charge
of the pending bill to reach an agreeemnt
upon a time when final vote upon all
amendments and the measure itself should
be taken. In the course Of the brief dis
cussion Of the matter. 1t was developed
that several senators on the democratic
side of the chamber desire still to speak
and that Mr.. Spooner and Mr.. Wellington
also would speak upon the bin. Mr.. Pat
terson said that two speeches then We're
to be made on the republican side.
Well said Mr.. Lodge. tine speech OF
side
physically it will not be-" suggested
Mr.. Patterson. referring to Mr.. yelling
toms seat on the republican side.
physically, it will not be-" said Mr..
Lodge. smiling. But the senator will rec
ognize that the physical part of the speech
will not be the important part" Uaugh-
teri.
Mr. Rawlins thought perhaps an arrange
ment for final vote next week might be
made, but he did not commit the minority
to such agreement.
A bill to regulate the practice in the
United States courts as to appeals and
writs Of error was passed.
The Senate then at 4 30 went into execu-