The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-24
MUST GO TO M'KINLEY.
Those Who Want Franchises in
Porto Rico.

Washington, April 24.-Previous to
the resumption of the consideration Of
the postoff1ee appropriation bill in the
house today, Mr.. Cooper, chairman of
the committee on insular affairs, asked
unanimous consent for the considera-
ton of the Foraker resolution to pro-
vide for the continuation in Office of
the present military administration in
Porto Rico pending the appointment of
the civil officers under the civil gov
eminent act. The resolution carried
two amendments placed upon it by the
insular affairs committee, one to pro-
vide that franchises should be ap-
proved by the president and another
placing restrictions upon charters, cor
porationS, etc.
1t was arranged that the resolution
should be debated for one hour.
Mr.. Hill Comm raised a point of
order against the amendments.
Mr.. Cooper and Mr.. Williams 0ll.l ex-
pressed regret that point of order
should have been raised, at the same
time contending that the point Of order
was not well taken.
Speaker Henderson had read a deci-
sion of Speaker Reed in the 51St con-
gresS, in which the speaker had held in
a somewhat analogous case that an
amendment to a resolution to amend an
act in a certain particular was not ger
name and therefore not in order.
Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader,
argued that the amendments We're ser
germane to the text of the resolution
Both sought to amend the same Sec
ton of the original bill.
Mr.. Hill was opposed to the proposed
amendments in form and substance,
and thought it needed no argument
to show that they were not gernane.
Mr.. Williams said that information
had come to the insular affairs COM
mfttee that all sorts of companies were
preparing to invade Porto Rico and the
committee considered that the proposed
restrictions should be placed upon
them to prevent a great scandal there
He said he could not understand Why
the point of order had been raised.
Mr. Moody (Mass.) prefacing his re-
marks with the statement that he re-
/ GREETED exceedingly that the point of
order had come from his, the Republi-
can, side of the house, raised the point
of order that Mr.. HIPS point of order
| had come too late.
! Mr.. McRae (Arlz.) declared that if he
| had not understood that the point of
| order would not be raised to the amend
ments he would never have given con-
sent for the consideration of the reso-
| luton. He thought if the amendments
were to be ruled out that it was only
| fair that the whole question should be
/ submitted.
! The speaker in a lengthy ruling hello
that the amendments were clearly not
| germane.
At the same time he expressed his
1
been raised. Upon Mr.. Moody's poin
that the point of order came too late
he said he was not clear. He called fol
| the official reporters notes upon thl
subject and when they had been sub
mitted to him he ruled that the poin
of order had come too late and n
| therefore overruled Mr.. Hills point o
order. Thereupon Mr.. Cooper took tn
floor in support of the amended resolu
ton. He explained that the amend
ments were to correct serious and pat
ent defects in the civil government law
These defects he said, had attracted tn
attention of the country and the press
Under the act the governor and tn
council would have sole control owe
franchises. He read an editorial from
New York Republican newspaper Sc
verely condemning the failure of con
gress to safeguard franchises and con
tended that the duty to correct the mis-
take was clear.
The resolution as amended, was pass
ed. Consideration of the postoffice ap
preparation bill was then resumed.