New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-12
PUERTO RICAN RULE.
CONGRESS MAY DEFER ACTION-POS
SIBLE TARIFF CHANGES
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

Washington, March 11-As a result of in
| quiries made to-day it appears that a sentiment
is steadily gaining ground among the members
of the majority in the Senate that 1t may be wise
to defer legislation for the establishment of
form of civil government in Puerto Rico until
Congress shall have been able to obtain further
definite and trustworthy information respecting
conditions in the island and the governmental
needs and qualifications of the inhabitants. 1t
is felt by some prominent and influential Repub-
lican Senators who among the warmest
friends of the Puerto Rcans and feel the keen
est solicitude for the future welfare and prosper
ity Of the island that it will be better to make
haste slowly than to incur danger of committing
mistakes at the Threshold and this feeling is
shared by number of equally prominent and
influential Republican members of the House of
Representatives.
In this relation it is suggested that Congress
began more than year ago after a commits
sion composed of able and experienced men had
investigated the subject and submitted it's rec
concentrations, the consideration of an organic
act for the Territory of Hawaii, and only within
rev days has one branch passed the measure
which will not be disposed of by the other
| branch until next month. 1t is pointed out that
conditions in Hawaii, whose form of native gov
ernment was in many important respects like
that of a State Territory Of the United
improved opportunities to become educated in
a considerable degree and had gained expert
ence in the administration of their public
affairs radically different from the condi-
ttons in Puerto Rico and that in the latter case
the problem will be quite as difficult as 1t was
in that of Hawaii. which has occupied the at
tention of Congress for many months.
CHANCES FOR PosTPONEMENT.
Whether the sentiment In favor of postponing
action until next session on the provisions of
the pending bill which relate to the establish
ment of civil government shall prevail not.
1t is strong and growing, and the prospect of its
success may be considered a fair one.
If it shall be decided to defer action until next
session a Joint committee composed of members
of the Senate Committee the Pacific Islands
and Puerto Rico and of the House Committee on
Insular Affairs may be authorized to visit
Puerto Rico in the mean time, and by personal
observations and Investigations supplement the
stock of information they have already OBJ
tanned and the knowledge they have acquired in
regard to this interesting and important subject,
and be even better prepared than they now are
to deal with 1t in a satisfactory manner. 1t is
not impossible that If this course shall be decided
on Congress may pass bill for the temporary
government of Puerto Rico similar to Senator
Spooners bill for the Philippines, which was
favorably reported by Chairman Lodge from
the Committee the Philippines last Wednes-
day.
SLIGHT TARIFF NOTIFICATIONS.
There is no present indication that the Senate
will modify to any greater extent than has al
ready been proposed by its friends the tariff
provision relating to Puerto Rico which has al
ready passed the House of Representatives, but
there is probability that with it may be
incorporated as an amendment the provision
setting aside the duties collected in Puerto Rico
prior to January l, and those collected in the
United States on Puerto Rican imports prior to
that date, separate fund for the benefit of
the island, to be disbursed under the direction
of the President. Some reasons are urged in
favor Of this course by a number of Senators
and Representatives which will be likely to ap-
peal rather strongly to members of the House
who voted for the Puerto Rican Tariff bill with
certain degree Of reluctance. That this plan
has at least received consideration is
thought to be indicated by the fact that Chair
man Allison, who gave notice on Friday that he
would call UP the Puerto Rican Relief bill yes
terday did not do