Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-02
New Privilege Given to Com
missioner From Porto Rico.
VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS
APPOINTED ON THE INSULAR AT
FAIRS COMMITTEE.
Forty Minutes Of Partisan Discussion
Resolution Agreed to and Pri-
vate Bills Then Taken Up.

giving the resident commissioner trohA
Porto Rico, Mr.. Degetau. the privilege OF
the floor. the right to address the House
and representation on committee on insular
affairs was called up in the House of Repre-
sentatives by Mr.. Dalzell as a privileged
matter when that body convened today.
Mr.. Williams, the minority leader, en-
deavored to have the report recommitted
to the rules committee with an instruction.
Mr.. Dalzeil insisted that he had not yielded
the floor.
Mr.. Williams retorted that he had simply
made a preliminary inquiry. which is al
ways in order, according to the rules OF
the democratic convention"
After some parliamentary fencing MI.
Williams obtained opportunity to say
that the instruction he wished to submit
was for a resolution giving the Porto R:can
resident commissioner all of the powers and
rights of delegate from territory. This,
it was stated, would give him a few addi-
tional privileges, such as stationery, etc.
Previous Question Ordered.
The previous question was ordered on the
resolution and forty minutes debate en-
sued.
Mr.. Dalzell explained that at the last
session of Congress Commissioner Degetau
was granted the right to the floor, but II
was desirable in the interests of Porto
Rico to grant him further privileges.
Mr. Williams declared that the resolution
was good legislation, but did not go far
enough. There was no reason why Porto
Rico should not be entitled to delegate
as well as Hawaii. Mr. Williams called at
tention to bill now on the House calendar
from the insular affairs committee giving
Porto Rico delegate.
Mr.. Jones (Va.) stated that the House
had passed this same bill UNANIMOUSLY III
the last Congress.
WHAT became of it in the Senator" in
terrupted Mr.. Dalzell. He went on to read
| the amendments which the Senate had
commission of three members to pass upon
| and settle Roman Catholic claims; another
extending the naturalization laws. and, ne
| said many others.
"Oh. YOU can't scare me by shooting at a
| republican Senate" retorted Mr.. Williams.
who continued the advocacy of additional
| rights for Porto Rico. AS no other mem
| time, Mr. Williams yielded the floor with
| the remark: I'VE will vote for your reso-
| luton
THANK YOU" replied Mr.. Dalzell.
| Mr. Crumpacker Qnd) said the resolu-
ton was an immediate concession to Porto
Rico and did not preclude future legislation.
Such future legislation might result, ne
corrigible cussedness of a republican Sen
ate" according to the. gentleman from
Mississippi.
Entitled to a Delegate.
Mr.. Cooper CWis.). chairman Of the insu-
| lar affairs committee. although supporting
| the resolution believed Porto Rico, with a
| million Inhabitants, was as much entltleo
| to a delegate in Congress as Hawaii. with
| less than 100000 inhabitants. He explained
that the pending bill from his committee
| was not interfered with by the resolution
Pending its passage additional rights Woufo
| be secured for Porto Rico.
Delegate Rodey On. M spoke for the
Mr. Williams (Afiss) predicted that this
was the very last legislation that would be
| had en- the matter during the F1fty-elghth
Congress He declared that the republicans
were outlining the position or the party py
| giving only partial justice to Porto RICO >.
Mr. Cooper replied that in his opinion 1t
was better to get the resolution adopted
and run chances with the bill, than to get
neither.
| ment fixed a date for the consideration OF
the pending bill, and in the meantime CIV
| ing all rights of delegate to Porto Rico:
| Mr. Grosvenor (Ohio) declared that the
| attitude of the minority could be construed
| as a step In the direction OF statehooo iof
| Porto Rico.
mo mere than giving Hawaii delegate
| was step in the direction of statehood Tor
that territory" retorted MI. Wliams'
| he had not voted to that end. He wanted
| however. to remind the minority that 1t
was constantly accusing the republican
| party of pursuing policy which would re-
| suit in statehood for the outlying posses
| sions of the United States.
Resolution Agreed To.
The resolution was unanimously agreed to
| and the Speaker announced. amid applause,
the appointment of Mr.. Degetau as a mem
Der of the House committee on insular at
| fairs.
On motion of Mr.. Mahon (Pa.) the House
! began the consideration of bills on the pri-
vdte calendar in committee OF the WHOLE
| with Mr. Foster Vt) as chairman.