The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-04
PUERTO RICO REPORT READY.
-.ovvpEs A SYSTEM OF GOVERN
uEyT FOR THE ISLAND.
FEATURES Are substitution OF
civil for the Military Governor,
.ra the Giving of the Puerto RI
-. Ample share of the Power.

wAsurNGTON. Feb 3.-The senate
1.,r,ttee on Puerto Rico today complet-
- l,s consideration of the bill providing
,a,u, Of government for the island OF
a.,ar,o Rico. The bill stands in all essen
III narticulars the same as left by the
rnn,nittee at its meeting last Wednes-
Nv The rate Of duty provided for arti-
~. brought to the United States from
puerto Rico and articles taken from the
r-rltsd States to Puerto Rico " 70 per
mi. OF the Drgley Law rate.
senator Foraker, chairman Of the com
..estse. prepared a report which has been
sdopted by tho committee and viii be sub
sn,t.ed by bill 70 the senate next Monday.
Tbs report says:
.srhe purpose Of the bill Is TO provide
,arnporary civil government for Puerto
t,re To continue until the law and ordi-
a.nces now n force in the island can be
sevssed and codified and q more perma-
..nt form Of government be framed by
committee 10 be appointed by the presi-
dent.
.s.,aeter "a manifest because It's laws
.rd judicial system and codes OF pro-
cedure as well m the present conditions
resnraIly existing in Puerto Rico,
sve 40 widely different from ours as to
make III tHilNtNlEtf W w huiiA WI az
,stljgently and eomprehensiveiy without
mai wider and more accurate knowledge
.hat ran be obtained only by visiting the
,sIand and studying tho whole situation
As II there exists
apecatse the legislation now Under con-
alteration Is intended TO stand only tenn
porarlly, the committee have sought to
lfmH to only such changes in existing
laws and conditions az appear ncces-
IT., "a
that are thought to be essential to the
ptace and prosperity OF the island.
sf;enerally stated. the propositions are:
nFfrst--To substitute a civil for mill
tary government
.seornd--To accord to the native Puerto
Ricans as much participation therein as
Ii may be for the best interests OF all con-
cerned 10 give them.
.Third--To avoid. az far as possible, radi-
cal changes IN the laws. courts and codes
Of procedure and yet make such modif,-
cations and alterations as are necessary TO
dispense with the most Objectionable fea-
lures Of the Spanish government and Iudic-
ial administration
"Fo1rth--To provide a legislative author
i:y that can deal with all domestic subjects
q Iegisvtion.
'F1fth--To extend the navigation laws of
The United States TO the island and en-
uct snch tariff, internal revenue and other
provisions as are necessary to afford a
revenue for the support OF the government
snd to meet the expenses of such public
Instruction and public improvements as
should be undertaken in this behalf. to au-
lhorlre 10 a limited extent the raising
. funds by issuing municipal and insular
bonds In anticipation Of revenues.
Hslx.h--To retire Puerto Rfran coins
row IN circulation and substitute coins OF
The United States therefore
seyenth-To authorize and regulate the
rsniing Of public and quasi public fran
ehlses'
fne report saws. 1.-THE questions that
gave the COMMITTEES most concern were,
FIRST, Bs 10 whether or not the censtitu-
ton shouts be extended to Puerto Rico.
snd, IN the second place. what provision
should b made with respect 10 the tariff
duties and internal revenue taxes Attsn-
lion Is called In detail to the legislation
relating TO territories IA the past 70 show
mat there is abundant precedent for NOT
extending the provisions OF the constitu-
upn @ territory for which congress may
he sailed upon 10 leeislate"
Fhe report saws further. ''The commit
zee recognize that IN not extending the
constitution and making II appiv 70 Puerto
hifo- ana especially BY the provisions they
Present IN This Bin With respect 20 tariff
aNHes ihef raise important questions as
y me constitutional power of congress Ia
sn1t such legislation Notwithstanding
y 'hst hna hren said 20 the contrary a
majority OF TIE committee are 90 The opin-
w that congress has such power
sascss N'''
y within our discretion TO make the
n'hseiiants Of Puerto Rico citizens OF
w Nhited states or not: no " 81 within
- pqwef and discretion OF the congress
MaNe the Inhabitants OF the philip-
heeA ana other islands we may acquire
vAAehs or withhold that quality from
tAsHl IL IL also within the mower Of
suisfvss e regulate ana restrict and pro.
nielt " thought advisable, the MASSAGE Of
nc inhabitants Of the Philippines or other
.ssnds from their country into ours. or
" prevent The products ~ their labor
I'm eemlnE into unjust competition With
~ 'noof 81 this country. with respect
ulA whole matter congress has now.
s'hec annexation, and viii continue to
49,. complete and unquesttoned power
ssiA'sie "a 4 may see ~. and hence
auW9e 20 aWotd the same protection
.setnlere s,yen go an those particulars
I vii be simply question Of polisy
FeNai'ef in each CaEe as Il may arise. AZ
y now ana heretofore
senators Gallnscr sud Perkins. Of the
,oiaiAltife, while asserting 20 the main
iNsea ~ the report. except 60 some
sNits ~ a., RrN against any propoaf,
va 81 ffHe ltAia with the Islands l'ney
-s1Ntt lhai " Fusfta Rico was an intevraf
~ os thr United States no tarin differ.
Nfs nom that which appllca 20 the