New-York tribune., 1900-01-20
PUERTO RICAN PROBLEMS.
STATUS TO BE FIXED AND FORM OF
GOVERNMENT PROVIDED AT
THIS SESSION.
IBE TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

Washington, Jan 19.-In the opinion Of leaders
Of the majority, both in the Senate and House Of
Representatives, legislation by Congress defining
the status Of Puerto Rico under the laws Of the
United States and providing form OF govern
ment for that island must and will be enacted
before the end Of this session. Minor differences
OF opinion in regard TO both propositions and
everything relating 10 them will be easily ad-
JUsted on account Of the deep and sympathetic
interest evinced by men Of all parties in the vel
fare OF the Puerto Ricans. OF course various
means are proposed by different men to solve
this new problem, which in some eyes appears
perhaps more difficult han il really is. Besides.
II is being asserted that the President and the
leaders Of the majority in Congress are already
st odds on the subject, and that the difference is
irTeconcilable one. Hardly anything could
be wider Of the truth. Consideration Of all mat
ters relating 10 the future government Of Puerto
Rico and the extent 10 which the tariff, naviga-
ton and other laws Of the United States shall be
extended over the island has not yet passed the
stage OF investigation, either regards the Ex-
ecutve or the committees Of Congress which are
now busy gathering information to establish the
groundwork OF legislative action
NO LIKELIHOOD OF DIsCORD.
Anybody who may carefully study the Presi-
dents last annual Message viii be speedily and
thoroughly disabused Of any idea he may en-
tertain that the Executive will fail 10 act in
harmony with Congress in regard to any Of
these subjects. Whether that body shall decide
Immediately 10 grant larger measure Of legls-
lative power and responsibility 10 the people OF
Puerto Rico than the President has suggested
and recommended now appears TO be somewhat
doubtful, but Whatever the decision may be ii
viii not prove an apple Of discord between
him and Congress. Neither Of the committees
charged with the investigation Of the subject
and the duty and responsibility Of recommend
ing form Of government has begun the actual
consideration Of the bills pending before it, and
the minds OF most Of the members are yet in
receptive condition and open TO conviction OF
course, there are some more strongly inclined
than others 70 favor the views Of the President,
and vice versa but there is no general con-
sensus Of opinion for against the more i'm
portaut features proposed as q scheme for the
future government Of the island
AS 70 the extent To which the general laws Of
the United States shall be made applicable to
Puerto Rico. sentiment in Congress appears TO
be better crystallized II can be safely asserted
that the cha!rnen and a majority Of the COM
mitIees in both houses are earnestly in favor Of
admitting Puerto Rico 70 share the benefits and
privileges enjoyed by the States Of the Union
under the tariff and navigation laws Of the
United States. Chairman Payne. of the Ways
and Means Committee who is also a member OF
the Committee on Insular Affairs viii soon in
troduee & bill extending the tariff laws over the
island OF Puerto Rico. Henry Oxnard, who
came 10 Washington several weeks ago to labor
IN opposition 10 the extension of the tariff laws
over Puerto Rico a well Hawaii, is reported
70 feel somewhat discouraged on account Of the
IL success OF his efforts make effective use
OF the argument that free trade with Puerto
Rico involves free sugar from Cuba.
EXTENSION OF UNITED STATES LAWS.
Il is generally conceded that the question of
the extension Of the laws OF the United States
relating 10 the tariff and navigation over the
island is wholly distinct from that involving the
form OF government AS respects the former
Chairman Payne has appointed sub-comn.it-
tee 10 consider and report regarding the power
and authority Of Congress in the premises
II the subcommittee should decide that
congress has the power 10 enact q different
tariff law for Puerto Rico from thar which ex-
lsts as 10 the States and Territories the cues
l-oA OF the deslraolllty or expediency Of doing
g would Immediately arise. That would be a
ClILefent guestlon as We'll as a new one II was
1oL raised eIIer the cession OF Alaska TO the
Nh4leo SLales, and Congress proceeded by the
mere act OF appropriation for The selaries and
extend the tariff and other revenue laws over
Alaska. II was not raised in regard 10 the
navigation laws and only vessels with Ameri-
can registry attempted or would have been per-
mlttec 10 engage in coastwise trade between
Alaskan ports and other domestic norris either
On Lhe racine or Atlantic, and il may be noted