The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-28
TO BE AMERICANIZED
SENATORS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE
SPELLING OF "PUERTO RICO"
They Insist the Island Shall he known
as "PortO Rico" Despite the War
Departments Order.
MOVEMENT TO GUST SCOTT
OPPONENTS OF THE WEST VIRGINIA
SENATOR GIVEN A HEARING.
Grounds on Which the Contest Is Be-
ing Made-His Election Declared
to Be Illegal.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 27.-The Senate
committee on Porto Rico has decided. so
far as it can decide that the island. whose
affairs II has under its particular care,
shall be known as Porto Rico and not
Puerto Rico. as fixed by a recent execu-
tive order. The question came up to-day in
the meeting Of the committee in connection
with the Foraker bill providing form of
government for the island and the decision
on the spelling of the name was unani-
nous. The committee went over the bill in
detail. deciding on many changes in phrase
ology and some alterations in the general
provisions of the measure.
Probably one of the most important
changes was to strike out the word CON
stitution" wherever II appeared in the orig
inal print OF the bill. which extended the
provisions of the Constitution as well as of
the laws of the United States to the
island. The change was made because of
the opinion generally expressed by the
members of the committee that our Consti-
tuition Is not suited to the Porto Rican peo-
pie. The opinion was also quite general
that the extension of the Constitution was
not necessary. Some OF the senator's ex-
pressed the opinion that the natives of the
island were not yet prepared for jury trials.
Another important amendment provides
for the retirement of Porto Rican coins and
substitutes for them the coins OF the United
States. The secretary OF the treasury is
authorized to redeem the silver coin known
as the peso and all other silver and copper
Porto Rican coins now in circulation at the
present rate of 60 cents in the money of
the United States for one peso, this rate to
be applied in the exchange of all other
coins. No coins but those of the United
States are to be legal tender in Porto Rico
for more than three months after the pas
sage Of this act. Another provision au-
thoriZes the President 70 appoint an officer
OF the army to be governor of the island
notwithstanding any present laws to the
contrary, but the appointment of such Of
fcer Is made optional with the President.
All laws enacted by the Porto Rico Legis-
lature are to be reported to Congress.
which reserves the rightsto annul them If
considered necessary.
The provisions of the bill relating to the
questions of tariff. shc federal courts, the
internal revenue and delegate in the
Compress of the United States were passed
over until a full attendance of members of
.be committees could be secured, one or
two Of the members being absent during Il
greater part OF the day. There was, how
ever. more or less discussion of the pro-
visions relating TO ell these subjects and
especially TO that giving free trade to the
island with the United States proper. The
consensus of opinion of the members pres
ent seems to be favorable to slight duty.
amounting TO 25 or 20 per cent, on articles
imported into the United States from other
countries. II was decided to amend the pro-
vision relating 10 a congressional dele
gate so as to require that If the provision
Is left n the bill. the delegate shall read
and write the English language. The pro-
vision for the erection OF members of the
lower house OF the Porto Ricap Legisla-
lure was left unchanged. but there was
considerable discussion of an amendment
suggested by Senator Fairbanks abolishing
the Legislature and putting the govern
ment entirely in the hands of a council to
be appointed by the President of the United
States, this council 70 consist of twelve
members and only five OF them to be resi-
Dents OF the island. The committee viii
probably meet again next Wednesday 10
complete the bill.
The Senate committee on privileges and
elections met to-day and heard arguments
In the case OF the remonstrance against
permitting Nathan Il. Scott. of West yir-
ginIa to occupy his seat in the Senate.
The principal objection TO Mr.. Scott urged
by the protestants was based on the con-
tention that he received only As votes, or
ore less than a majority. and that he se-
cured his election by causing the sus-
pension OF two members OF the LegisIa-
ture. who were afterward given seats. thus
reducing the membership from 81 TO o.
Much was also made of the circumstances
that two OF the members OF the state SEN
ate. by which he was elected, were Of
ncers in the volunteer army OF the United
States during the Spanish war These SEN
ators were named Getzendanner and Pier
son. They were hoId-overs. having been
elected In 1896. Both accepted commissions
I'm the Second West Virginia Regiment in
the summer OF 1885 anc, Notwithstanding