The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-16
PORTO RICo'S ASSEMBLY
INCIDENTS OF THE FIRST SESSION
OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Parljn mentary Rules Ignored and
Much Confusion Noticeable
Introduction of First Bills.
OF the AssoeIated Press.

Correspondence OF the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, Dec 10-The
Legislative Assembly of Porto Rico as
created by the Foraker bill is now a fact.
The House OF Delegates has been organ
lied a week to-day and already nineteen
bills nave been introduced. The House got
RICH. down TO business at its first meet
ing. TO introduce nineteen bills in six days
after organizing. as well forming the
regular committees, is not bad work when
it is considered that not one of the MEM
bers had the slightest idea of parIia-
II entary procedure.
During the session one of the members
nay be seen making Il equent trips to the
executive mansion. where he confeTs with
Secretary Hunt in regard to some doubtful
Point 1t Is said by some that in a short
time the lower house viii be controlled en-
t.rely by the portfolio members of the
Council 1t is known that the five Porto
Rican members of the Council when con-
sidering the question of franchises. etc.
often vote contrary TO their own ideas in
order that the Council may continue har-
monious- But it is not likely the heads of
departments will be able TO control the
thirty-fve members OF the House. The
House, although regularly elected, is not
representative of the island. The Federals
refrainihg from voting kept over half the
natives from the polls. The Federal party.
it is asserted, is made up of the richest
and best element of Porto Rico. The Re-
publicans, though in power do not feel
hat they are able to run things alone, so
the majority is willing 10 be dictated to
by the Council. Nevertheless there is 4
certain element in the House which will
not be dictated 20. So soon as any really
important bill comes up for debate it is
i.redicted THAI the House will divide against
iIself And Il little later when the House
passes some pet bill ard the Council re-
jects it the House viii probably resign in
body. 1t is a natural trait of the people.
At the first days session some OF the
members arrived in full evening dress,
which is a Spanish custom in regard TO
attending social functions. Cigarettes
were freely smoked in all parts of the
house during the first three days, but they
were tabOOed by the temporary rules and
regulations adopted After selecting a sec
rotary and sergeant-at-arms the House
actually went to a vote on the question
whether the secretary should have vote
There was at first no fOrmality whatever
observed. Members addressed each other
and the speaker by name, and interrupted
speeches and even votes. At ore time dur
ing the third DAY there We're four motions
and seven amendments pending at one
time. A motion would be made and
onded. While proceeding to vote another
motion would he made and the first would
ne IOFSotlen. Inc irregular proceedings Oh
the initial meetings must be overlooked.
The House IS improving every day and in
a short time no fault will be found The
rules adopted are practically those Of the
United States House of Representatives
Among the important bills are measures
for the re-eStabliShment of the mortgage
law, for sale by auction of public lands
adjacent to San Juan" and ito reorganize
the inSular police.
The officers of the House are: Speaker
Manuel Rosy; secretary, Salvador Ros.
The secretary's salary is Sf,S0o An inter-
prefer has been employed at $780, and
translators. stenographers. typewrters and
an assistant secretary at 81 and Sc day.
The Executive Council IS i'm daily session.
The most important bills introduced during
the past week are "a bill to establish jury
trials and "a bill to provide revenues for
Porto Rico and for other purposes" The
latter measure is by DIR. Holander the
treasurer.
A petition signed by the Banco Territorial
concessions and merchants, asking the
council to petition Congress to repeal Sec
ton 30 OF the Foraker bill, or so much
thereof as provides that all franchises,
privileges and concessions shall be subject
to amendment, alteration or repeal by Con-
gresS, has been introduced.
A local representative of Northern capital
in recent address before the council. in
referring TO the law, expressed the opinion
that capital would not come to Porto Rico
until the law repealed modified. AS
ii is now, a company might receive a con-
cessiOn. start work on a large scale and
then have its concession annulled by Con-
gress.