Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-19
Consideration of the Measure
Resumed.
PORTO RICO REGIMENT
APPROPRIATION RETAINED BY
VOTE OF 80 TO AZ.
Military Academy Bill Reported-Bill
to Compensate American Sealers
Taken Up by the Senate.

The House of Representatives on conven-
ing today fixed Friday, February II next
at o'clock pm. as the date for holding
appropriate exercises in Statuary Hall ac-
cepting the statue of Frances E. Willard,
presented by the state of Illinois.
A bill was passed allowing substitute
Judge to sit as judge in the district court
of the United States in the territory OF
Hawaii in case of the temporary incapacity
of the judge of that court.
A bill was passed extending the extradi-
ton laws of the United States to the Phil
ippine Islands. Also bill amending sec
ton 1916 of the Revised Statutes, by remov-
ing the limitation of s., 500 as the amount OF
a lost check which can be reissued. At the
present time a lost check in any amount
over the one named cannot be reissued
without an act of Congress.
A Senate joint resolution providing FOR
the reappointment of James B. Angel on
the board Of regents OF the Smithsonian In
Stitution was passed.
bill was passed extending for one year
the time for the construction OF q bridge
across the Missouri river at Yankton, s. D.
A bill was passed authorizing the bridg-
ing of the Conecuh river. Alabama.
- The House non-concurred in the Senate
amendments to the bill transferring juris-
diction of the forest reserves Of the country
from the Interior to the Agricultural De-
partment. and the bill was sent to confer
ence.
The Military Academy appropriation bill
was reported to the House by Chairman
Hull of the military committee.
AT o'clock the House began further con-
sheraton OF the army appropriation bill.
Mr.. Clark (Mo) supported the amendment
striking out the appropriation for the sup
port of the Porto Rican provisional regi-
ment.
He read from a report from Elihu Root
when he was Secretary of War, in 1901, that
this regiment ought to be discontinued and
the right extended to Porto Rican citizens
to enlist in the regular army He also read
from the debate in the House of that same
year in which Mr.. Slayden CTex) stated
that II 1t were not for the personal interest
of some legislators In some of the officers
Of that regiment it would have been dis
banded three years previously.
That condition of affairs Is q disgrace to
the American Congress-" asserted Mr.. Clark.
He Endorsed Speaker Cannon's "euphonis-
tically putt remark in his recent speech to
the national board of trade that he was
opposed to higher taxes and. being opposed
to higher taxes, he was opposed TO appro-
priation bills being expanded as they had
been heretofore
Mr.. Hull defended the appropriation for
the regiment. He said 1t would be abolish
ed In three years by the operation Of law.
Mr.. Baker On. .laexpressed himself on
what he considered 'real patriotism" To
keep paid native soldiers In Porto Rico, he
said. was not proper way to develop pa
triotism. as had been asserted.
The appropriation was defended by Mr..
Stevens (Minn) and opposed by Mr.. Stay
den (Texas).
Commissioner Degetau's Appeal.
Lack Of interest in the proceedings was
suddenly dispelled when Mr.. Hull yielded
three minutes time to Resident Commits
sioner Degetau of Porto Rico and that gem
tleman began his first speech in the House.
As he proceeded he was surrounded by
members, who gave close attention to his
somewhat hesitating delivery and frequent
ly applauded his. declarations of praise for
his constituents. :: - - - ~ Z
Mr.. Degetau took OCCASION, first tosrefer
to the general impression in the House and
In this country that he was q delegate ana
had the rights in Congress of a delegate.
He deprecated the fact that this was not
the case. He next voiced the sentiment OF
cordially which the people of Porto Rico
felt toward the United States for the treat
ment that has been accorded that island
In arguing that the necessity for main
tanning the regiment did not exist. he re-
viewed the history OF hts country to show
that 1t had accomplished many reforms,
SUCH for instance, as the abolition Of slav-
cry, without disturbance. The people did
not not need the example of military discip-
line, nor did they need the impression cal
form. --
At the same time, Porto Rico was proud
OF ner sons In the regiment. He referred
piooded Spaniards. and said the negative
was the fact that if such were the case
me people Of this country would not have
permitted Porto Ricans to defend that
nag. at the same time pointing before
MIN TO the nag over the Speakers chair
Applause greeted this utterance
Amendment Defeated.
When the three minues originally granted
Mr.. Degetau had expired there was a gem
erai demand for unanimous consent grant
ing him as much time as he wanted to
conclude.
He finished his remarks shortly afterward
stating, I'VE need no American regiment.
nor any other regiment. We are ali
Americans, who have won our American
citizenship"
Hearty applause followed Mr.. Degetau's
conclusion.
The point was made by Mr.. Mondell
(Wyo9 that the regiment was needed on
the Island as protection from foreign foe
The amendment was defeated by a vote of
80 to Al. The reading Of the bill was then
proceeded with.