The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-01-04

Down to Work.
Washington, Jan. 3.-The senate
evinced "a disposition today to take up
the work of the session in earnest and
while the sitting was OF only little
more than an hours duration. a large
number of important bills were intro
duced and a definite foundation laid
for proceeding with the financial Bill
by fixing the hour for beginning debate
on this measure for 2 o'clock tomor-
row.
Mr. Aldrich, chairman of the finance
committee, gave notice of his intention
TO call up the financial bill tomorrow
Immediately after the disposal of the
routine morning business. provided
there was no objection. The notice
brought Mr.. Hoar TO his feet with an
objection, which was based upon the
fact that several senators had object
ed 10 the consideration of Mr.. Petit
Crews Philippine resolution
If" said mir. HOar, there is to be
an absolute suppression Of ali requests
for information concerning the war
with the Philippines. 1 shall object to
the morning hour when such resOlu-
tons are pending.
He called attention to the fact that
four senators had risen upon the pre-
sentatiOn OF the Pettigrew resolution to
object to its consideration. This was
done in the face of the fact that it was
the uniform custom of the senate to al
low resolutions Of inquiry TO go
through without obstruction. He wanted
10 know if this policy was 10 be con-
Iinued-
Enter a Disclaimer.
The statement brought Aessrs. AID
rich, Chandler and Hawley to their
feet. Mr.. Aldrich disclaimed any intan-
tion Of sEppressing information con
corning military affairs, and withdrew
the notice ID take up the financial biz
after the consideration of routine
morning business. - fixing the time def
nitely at o'clock
Messrs. Hawley and Chandler both
explained that the suggestions con-
corning the PettigTrW resolution had
only covered the point of pOstpOnement
until tomorrow. which. they asserted,
was not out Of the ordinary. With a
Few further words on the part Of Mr..
HOar the incident closed.
Mr.. Sewall gave notice that he would
ask the senate to consider resolutions
in honor of the late Vice President Ho-
bart on the 10Th inst.
Senator Foraker introduced a bill
providing a form of government for
the island Of Puerto Rico. The bill
provides for the continuance of the
laws and municipal ordinances now in
force in the island until the legisla-
tuTe provided for shall supplant them,
The president is empowered TO appoint
a governor and supreme court, and
also seven heads Of departments TO
= have charge of the various interests Of
the government and also five native
citizens who. together with the gov
ernor and heads of the departments
are to constitute the upper branch of
the insular legislature.
Make Puerto Ricans Citizens.
A lower house of thirty-hve members
TO be elected by citizens of the Islands
IS also provided for, and all inhabi-
tants Of the island are made citizens OF
the United States. The citizens are also
TO elect a delegate 10 congress- who is
10 have seat but no vote. The island
is to be divided into five districts for
judicial and legislative purposes, and
each district is to have local court to
consist of such q number of judges as
the legislature may provide for.
The constitution and laws of che
United States are extended to the is
land 50 far as the latter are locally
applicable The export duties are pro-
hibited and free trade Is provided for
between the island and the United
States proper. Articles imported into
Puerto Rico from other countries than
the United States are to pay the same
duties as those imposed in the ports Of
the COUNTRY. The money thus collected
is to go into the island treasury, but
money realized from the internal rev
enue collections is to be converted into
the national treasury Of the United
States.
A committee Of five members, two OF
whom are to be natives. IS provided
for 20 revise the system Of laws and Of
judicial procedure in the island Fol
the present no franchises are to be
provided except upon the approval both
of the governor OF the island and the
president Of the United States.
vii Not Be Territory.
In speaking Of the bill. Senator For
aker said it did not create a territory
out Of the island nor undertake 10 give
the island a territorial form of govern
ment in the ordinary understanding OF
that phrase. adding that it merely pro-
vided a simple form of government
which it was believed would answer
form could be devised The senator
also said the bill was intended only for
a basis for the committee on Puerto
Rico to act on.
Senator Pettigrew offered the follow
ing resolution, which went over under
objection:
Resolved, That the secretary Of wsI
be and ne IS hereby directed to inform
thu senate whether General Torres, one
of the officers of the Philippine army
came to General Otis with a fIag Of
truce on Feb. 2 1899. the day after the
fighting commenced between Our forces
and those Of AgUinaldO. and stated t.
General Otis that Aguinaldo declared
that fighting had been begun accideut-
ally and was not authorized bg Aguin.
aldo and that Aguinaldo wished tC
have it stopped and that to bring about
a conclusion Of hostihties he proposed
the establishment Of a neutral zone be-
tween the two armies Of a width thai
would be agreeable ID General Otis, 81
that during the peace negotiations
there might be no further danger Oi
conflict between the two armies anC
whether General Otis replied that fight