New-York tribune., 1900-03-04
PUERTO RICO GOVERNMENT
q COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME PROVIDED
IN THE BILL BEFORE THE 11o1-cp
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE -,,,r,

"tshlhgton, March 3.-The Republican roer,
'ol me House Committee Insular Affairs
spe,i most OF to-day in considering the bill in
trodned by Chairman Cooper to provide a gov-
ernmelt for Puerto Rico A number Of ouestiors
arose in the course of the first reading rch;oh
were EFT unsettled. and will be discussed and
CONSIDERED before the bill is taken I'D by the fuII
committee.
Ihere are already some indications of oppo-
sI'ioH among the Republicans. not especially di-
recied iSainst the provisions of the Senate bill
or the Cooper BILL but based on the opinion that
il would be inexpedient for Congress to deal
with the subject at all at this session or until
decision shall have been obtained from the Sill
prene Court on the question of the fulness and
extent OF the power and authority of Congress
III the premises. II is already evident that vari-
Gus provisions common TO both the bills will be
vigorously attacked by the Democrats and other
ahn-eNpansonists. One is that which provides
that the salaries of all officers and the expenses
OF their offices shall be paid of the Puerto
Rican treasury, the ground that it is a dis
elimination against the island. as such salaries
and expenses in Arizona and other Territories
are paid ont Of the National Treasury. But the
latter pay into the National Treasury every
year in taxes under the internal revenue laws
alone sum larger than the total amount Of the
salaries paid to their officers from the National
Treasury.
IN Washington, in conversation to-day raised
point III regard to the retirement of the Puerto
Ricaf n coinage which Will receive consideration
by the committee. In substance he said:
Is proposed to demonetize the peso and other
The o 81 81 cens eo peso ana M nala is ' of the
same same weight and hneness the American silver
and and there is the same difference between its coin,
the STANDARD silver dollar Of the United States. If
me 3e1CD pesos Of Puerto Rican silver are called
Rcan eay s a a pf the ni,ed t9S STATS ae Tras
uISy, 10 enjoy the profit of the exchange of course
isncident the transaction? 1t seems me.
The question is important one. for
swer in the affirmative will mean a gain of
more than 100000 TO the Puerto Rican treas
ury.
FEATURES OF THE COOPER BILL.
Mr.. Cooper's bill is a comprehensive measure.
consisting OF ninety sections and containing
many important provisions not found in the
Senate bill when reported early in February.
II is understood that Senator Foraker. after
carefully reading the Cooper bill, expressed the
opinion that 1t better one, the whole.
than that offered by himself and reported from
the Senate Committee. Ttse division of the
Cooper bill which fixes and defines personal
rights and legislative limitations consists of
twenty-three sections. No law granting a title
of nobility shall be granted; no law prohibiting
the freedom of worship shall be enacted; bill
OF attainder post facto law shall be en-
acted; freedom OF speech and the press is guar
Rnteed. and in any criminal prosecution for libel
the truth OF the statement, if published with
good motives and for justi1abe reasons, will
acquit the accused; the rights Of petition and
peaceable assembly guaranteed; in all
criminal prosecutions the accused shall have
the right to be heard, speedy trial. to con-
front witnesses and compel attendance of wit
nesses In his own behalf; person shall be
twice placed in jeopardy for the same offence,
and any accused person except for capital Of
fence shall be entitled to bail and the writ Of
habeas corpus shall not be suspended except
when In case OF rebellion the public safety may
require it: no money shall be paid out OF the
treasury except under an appropriation by law,
and no appropriation shall be made for the pay
.nent of any claim against Puerto Rico except
claims of the United States and judgments. un-
less fled within six years after the claim ac-
crued
No enecIal or private laws shall be enacted
bv the LEGISLATURE affecting the assessment or
collection Of taxes extending the time for
the collection thereof: granting franchises. cor
porate powers privileges except as provided
in this act: changing the name OF any person or
making one person the heir-at-law of another;
authorizing the sale mortgage Of the real or
personal property OF minors or insane or other
persons under disability. Section u authorizes
the Legislature to pass incorporation laws,
which must be uniform in their operation and
not in conflict with any statute or statutes or
the United States. Section 13 provides that no
municipal corporation shall contract Indebted
ness for any purpose whatever in excess Of
per cent Of the assessed value of the property
therein, ana the next section requires the mu-
ncipaty TO provide for the collection Of direct
tax TO pay the interest and extinguish the prin-
cipal within twenty years
GUARDING PERSONAL RIGHTS.
No law shall be enacted which shall deprive
any person OF life, liberty property without
due process of law. The rule of taxation shall
be uniform. The Legislature shall provide for
the speedy publication OF all statute laws and
Of judicial decisions, and general law shall
be in force until published. No law shall be
passed imparing the obligation of contracts.
No import or export duties taxes shall be laid
by the Legislature No private local bill
shall embrace more than subject which
shall be expressed in the title On all bills to
debt or charge. the must be taken by ayes
and three-ifths Of all the members elected to
each required for quorum such votes.
No person shall be imprisoned for debt. No pr-
yate property shall be taken for public with
out just compensation No warrant shall issue
except on probable cause supported by oath or
affirmation. and particularly describing the
place TO be searched and the persons things
TO be seized.
The sections relating to the Governor and other
executive officers and defining their powers and