Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-05
Reception of Congressional Com
n1ittees.
DISPATCH 0F PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Porto Rico's Currency Discussed
by the Cabinet.
GENERAL WOOD A CALLER

Before II o'clock this morning the com
mittee appointed by Congress to notify
President Mckinley that Congress is in
session reached the White House The
committee consisted of Senators Jones and
Platt of Connecticut, and Representatives
Payne Cannon and Richardson. The notiti-
cation did not differ from that which is
given at every session of Congress The
committee simply informed the President
that Congress was in session and ready to
receive any message he might have to
communicate. The President answered
briefly that he would communicate with
Congress. Less than an hour afterward
Assistant Secretary Pruden was on his way
to the Capitol with the Presidents mes
sage Maj Pruden left the White House
much earlier than in former years with the
message. He was accompanied by Warren
S Young, for many years the executive
clerk
Senators Cullom. Carter, Chandler For
aker Stewart and Lodge, and Representa-
tlTes Kerr. Lybrand, Southard, Sherman
and Hopkins Were among the visitors at
the White House prior to the cabinet meet
ing this morning.
Senator Stewart Roberts.
Talking of the case of Represeutativ
Roberts of Utah. Senator Stewart said that
alleged crime which had not been proven
1T is a pretty dangerous precedent to
turn a man out of a Legislative body on the
ground that his morals mag be bad, said
the senator. 'On this ground other ex-
pulsions might be ATTEMPTED and carried
out"
Gen. Leonard Wood was at the White
House this morning. His visit was social.
He is remaining in Washington to receive
orders from Secretary Root as to matters
on the eastern end of the Island of Cuba
1t is thought to be the intention of Con-
gress 10 recommend that Gen. Wood be
given substantial reward when the army
is again reorganiZed and becomes perma-
nent Gen. Wood will remain in the line as
heretofore stated.
Discussing Porto Rico.
The cabinet meeting today was largely
devoted to a discussion of the financial
conditions in Porto Rico. A petition was
recently received by Secretary Gage from
prominent business men In the island call
Ing attention TO the great fluctuations in
the price of the Spanish peso which is yet
the money of he island. At times, when
the island is shipping its products, which
principally comes to the United States,
American money IS quite plentiful and the
exchange value OF the peso Is correspond
ingly high. At such times the peso is worth
62 cents in American moaey. 1t frequently
happens, however that the exchange value
drops to rs cents and even lower. The petit
TONERS ask this government to take such
measures as will establish a more uniform
value for the peso and thus protect the
best interests CT all concerned.
1t is said that there are only about $500,
600 of these pesos in existence on the island.
While this amount is sufficient to disturb
tie financial situation of the island, yet. it
Is claimed, It is not in the power of the
executive department Of the government to
afford any relief Indeed, no remedy can be
applied, except through Congress, and the
character Of this remedy. it IS said, will
depend largely upon the relation which
Porto Rico is o sustain to this country.
The attention of Congress will likely be
called to this matter when the subject of
future government for Porto Rico is under
discussion. and it is not improbable that
relief will be afforded. If Porto Rico Is de-
clared to be a territory of the United States
and is to have a territorial form of govern
ment all the pesos in the island will be re-
tired and American money substituted in
their place. The silver pesos will be minted
and turned into silver of minor coinage
Secretary Root remained with the Presi-
dent some time after the cabinet session
discussing war matters