New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-03
PRICE THREE CENTS.
SENATE VOTES TO-DAY.
PASSAGE OF THE PUERTO
RICAN BILL ASSURED.
THE GENERAL DEBATE CLOSED WITH
SPEECHES BY SENATORS SPOONER.
DEPEW, CULLOM AND OTHERS.
IBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

Puerto Rican bill appear 10 have lost all hope of
It's transformation into free trade measure al
though they VIII not abate desist from their
efforts until the last II seems 10 be foregone
conclusion that the bill viii pass the Senate with
out material change and by a safe majority
and the only shred Of comfort the opposition
now cherishes is that some mishap may befaII
the measure in the House Of Representatives.
The only important amendments which remain
10 be acted on by the Senate are those which
relate TO citizenship. 10 the title and functions
OF Puerto Rico's representative in Washington.
10 the substitution OF free trade or internal
enue provisions for the tariff and the amend
ment in the nature OF a substitute for the entire
bill This substitute is the bill originally re-
ported from the Committee on Pacific Islands
and Puerto Rico nearly three months ago Since
that time the bill has undergone radical altera-
tons and notifications not only as 20 the rev.
enue sections, but also as 10 the civil govern
ment provisions. which now provide Cor tenn
porary OF provisional government 70 a large ex-
tent. so that the pending legislation must be
supplemented by further action by Congress
next winter. or as soon may be found prac-
ticable
RESULTS OF THE BILLS PASSAGE
II the pending bill becomes law. however. a
number OF important consequences will speedily
follow. Military rule will be superseded by civil
authority in the administration OF affairs; the
inhabitants of Puerto Rico viii become a body
polite citizens OF Puerto Rico under the pro-
lection Of the United States; the administration
Of affairs will be placed in the hands OF Cow
ernor and heads of executive departments ap-
pointed by the President. by and with the ad-
vice OF the Senate; the Superior Judges and
other higher court officers VIII be appointed in
the same manner; the navigation laws viii be
modified 70 nationaIize Puerto Rican ves-
sells and allow them the privilege of engaging
in the coastwise trade; the coinage will be
changed; quarantine regulations will be estab-
Hshed; a Legislative assembly will be created.
the members OF branch OF which viii be
elected by the qualified voters. who will also
choose a Resident Commissioner 70 the United
States The legislative assembly is clothed with
a number OF important powers. but its acts
will be subject 70 reviSory control by Congress
and the President Thus while the pending
legislation does not go so far as the organic
acts passed by Congress for the government OF
the organized Territories OF the Union, il makes
fair progress in that direction. and contains
provision which viii result in furnishing the
groundwork for supplementary action by Con-
gress next winter.
DEBATE UNUSUALLY INTERESTING
The debate on the bill to-day exceedingly
interesting and instructive and the crowds OF
spectators who had been attracted 70 the Capt.
tol by the announcement that Senators Depew
and SpOoner would be among the speakers were
richly rewarded FOR their coming. and the in
teresc they evinced was another strong evidence
OF the general recognition and appreciation OF
the Importance of the subject under discussion
Not since the days OF reconstruction following
the Civil War has Congress been called upon 70
deal with questions 50 novel and interesting G.
70 write so important a chapter in the legislative
history of the United States as II is now max
ing and the proceedings to-day in the Senate
we're watched with intense and critical interest.
although it was not expected that a vote would
be reached on any Of the more important and
vital amendments.
Senator Vest who seldom speaks, opened the
days discussion with a personal explanation
and a few remarks. in which he COntended that
the Constitution follows the flag" although he
said he was aware that the Supreme Court or
the United States had decided differently. When
he finished and Senator Bate arose, armed with
a heavy pile Of manuscript. from which he be-
gan 70 read. there were some nurnUrs or dis
appointment in the galleries. which were packed
with people who had come expecting 20 listen 10
the Junior Senator from New-York and the
senior Senator from Wisconsin Mr. Bates
speech turned out 10 be long disquisition on
the doctrine Of "ex proprtO vigore, which
seemed 10 be as satisfactory 10 him as 1t was
tedious to others.
Senator CuTom. who followed promptly placed
himself on good terms with his audience and won
hearty applause by saving that II the crowds
who had 10 listen 10 others would bear
with him patiently for little while their pa
tience and expectations would be abundantly re-
warded The Illinois Senator need not have
made his modest apology. for his speech was a
valuable and interesting contribution the
debate
DEPEw DRAWS A GRAPHIC PICTURE
Senator Depew is a member Of the Committee
-.
speech showed that he is a most Industrious and
conscientious one No speaker in either branch
OF Congress since the debate began has been able
10 present so effective. true and graphic pict-
ure Of the people Of Puerto Rico and OF the
conditions surrounding them Mr.. Depew drew
to-day and few indeed have been qualified 70
offer such cogent and unanswerable reasons
why the pending legislation-'this remedial
measure" as he called it-should be written IN
the statute book The speech that OF
keen. hardheaded business man on a topic which
he had thoroughly mastered, and was also the
utterance OF a practised and accomplished orator
striving persuade and convince his audience.
AS Mr. Depew sat down. the spectators in the
galleries broke into hearty applause. which did
not stop with them. but rippled through the
Senate itself OF course. this violation Of
the rules and traditions OF that grave body. but
nobody seemed to be harmed by IT,
sPoONER'S CONVINCING ARGUMENT.
Senator Spooner. who always speaks onhand
without manuscript or notes. who Is always
willing 10 submit TO Interruptions and 70 answer
Questions and is considered TO be the readiesr
and abIest debater in the Senate. fully
tanned his reputation IN his speech OF today.