New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-04
SYNOPSIS OF THE BILL AS PASSED
FORM

Washington. April (SpeciaD.-The action of the
Senate to-day on the Puerto Ricau bill indicates a
strong probability that ii will become law in it's
present form The free trade element in the House
Of Representatives which threatening to kill the
tariff If il gets another chance has not vet sur
rendered, but neither has it yet recognized the
fact that, by the concurrent action of the two
branches Of Congress. the tariff provision has
put in the bill TO stay. II has been amended, II
is true. and the amendment, which imposes duty
on coffee imported into Puerto Rico and exempts
Spanish literary. scientific and artistic works from
payment Of duty for period Of ten years and for
an indefinite time books in the English language
when imported from the United States may be
non-eoncurred in by the House but further
amendment-say for free trade-would not be ger
name or in order. The Senate in that respect has
concurred In the action Of the House. and that
ends st. The only way TO kill the tariff provision
IS TO kill the Puerto Rican bill itself and the free
trade Republicans in the House OF Represents tives
would hesitate long before consenng to lend their
assistance to do that.
THE TARIFF FEATURE
In view OF these facts and the prospect that the
bill viii become law as 1t now stands, a synopsis
Of its provisions will be pertinent and of general
interest. II provides for a tariff equal TO Is per
cent Of the Dingey duties on the imports into the
United States from Puerto Rico and the same on i'm
ports into Puerto Rico from the United States ex-
eept that duty Of a pound is imposed on
coffee imported into Puerto Rico from any coun-
try: for the free admission into Puerto Rico of all
articles exempted from payment of duties by the
Dingley law. and also for the free admission of
Spanish literary, scientific and artistic works for
a period Of ten years. and books in the Eng
lish language for all time come when the
same imported from the United States.
When articles subject TO internal reve-
tax either in the United States or Puerto
Rico the shall be assessed and collected In
addition to Is per cent of the Dingley duties The
free list Is also extended for imports into Puerto
Rico frOm United so 10 mhrac
all articles admitted present by virtue of ex-
listing executive orders. The Dingley rates of duty
be assessed and collected all dutia BILE
articles imported into Puerto Rico from countries
other than the United States. All duties and taxes
collected by virtue Of the be held as q
separate fund for Puerto Rico and disbursed for
its benefit under the direction of the President
all unexpended balances thereof when the ceases
10 be operative be turned into the Puerto
Rican treasury for the benefit of the island. The
foregoing provisions shall TO be operative
except 5 imports into Puerto Rico from coun-
tries other than the United States on March l. 1902
sooner If Puerto Rico shall have enacted a law
and put into operation system of local taxation
sufficient meet the necessities of its government
PLAN OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
In regard to the establishment of a civil govern
rnent in the island. the bill provides that the in
habitants OF the island. except such shall elect
before april II, 1900, to remain subjects of Spain
declared 10 be citizens of Puerto Rico, and as
such emitted 10 the protection OF the United States
and they together with such citizens Of the United
States and may reside in Puerto Rico, shall consti-
tute a body polite under the name OF 1.-The people
OF Puerto Rico"
All laws and ordinances of Puerto Rico now in
force shall continue so except changed or modi-
fed by this act. by military orders in force at
the time of lis passage so far the are not
in conflict with the statutory laws of the United
States not locally inapplicable the provisions
OF this act until altered. modified or repealed by