The Portland daily press., 1900-03-20
Commission to Adjudicate Spanish
Var Claims Created.
Legislative Appropria-
ton Bill Adopted.
Porto Rican Bill Considered for
Brief Period.

Washington, March 19.-Two measures
of national Importance and many Of
alightly lesser interest we're passed by the
Senate today. Ths legislative. execu.
tive ana judicial appropriation all car
ryins more than SCI, Zoo. eco, was passed
without dsbstst Ths measure providing
for the appointment of q commission to
adjudioate and settle claims Of citizens
of the Unitsd Slater, growing out Of the
war with Spain, was also passed. For
q brief time the Porto RicAn government
and tariff measure was under considera-
ton. Mr.. Foraker, In charge OF the bill,
submitted some committee amendments
A few Of them were agreed 10, but the
important ones are still pending. A fres
trade amendment to the bin was offered
by Senator Beveridge.
MIR. Beyeridge OF Indiana, gave notice
at the opening of today's session of the
Senate in connection with an amend
ment to the Porto Rico bill which he
offered, that he would address the Sen
ate on next Thur lay on the amendment
and pending measure. The amendment
Is s follows:
IAN articles coming into the United
States from Porto Rico or going into
Porto Rico from the United States, shall
be admitted free of duty, but this action
shall not be construed as extending the
Cor siitution Of the United States or any
part thereof over Porto Rico. and 1t Is
hereby declared that the Coz stitution Of
the United States is not extended over
Porto Rico.
The Senate proceeded to the considera-
tion of the legislative, executive and ju-
diCial appropriate on bill, MIR. Cullom of
Illinois being in charge Of the measure.
AZ reported to the Senate the bill car
ries S24, 165, 500. The reading Of the bill
was completed at lao p. M, the COM
mitrse amendments having been agreed
to ss the reading proceeded. The bill
as amended was passed without division.
Alta O'Clock the unf shed business-
the Porto Risan bill-was laid aside tenn
porarily and the Senate took up meas
ure to carry into effect the stipulations
Of article 2 q the treaty between the
United States and Spain. The bill pro.
v.dss for the appointment by the Presi-
dent of three commissioners to receive,
examine ana Adjudicate all claims Of
citizens CT the United States against
Spain which the United States agreed to
adiudicate and settle.
The sum of $4,000 annually is appro-
priated for the expenses Of the commits
SION, the life OF the commission being
fixed at two years
An amendment proposed by MIR. Hoar
was agreed to extending the time for
filing oliims with the commission from
six months to one year after the orga-
nlzation Of the commission.
At the suggs stion Of Mr.. Cookrell, the
tight of appeal afforded by the bill to
both the United States and the claimants
TO the supreme court OF the United
States was stricken out. The bill thus
provides for but one appeal. viz: From
the findings of the commission to the
United States court of appeals.
AS amended the measure was passed
without division.
The Senate agreed to the request Of the
Houss for con fsrenoe on the bill ap
propriating S2,09o.000 for the benefit Of
the people of Porto Rio o, and Senators
Allison. Hale and Cockrell were appoint
ed as the Senate confereAs.
MIR. Foraker thsn called up the Porto
Rican government and tariff bill for the
purpose. as he explained, of perfeoting the
bill 50 far "a possible from the stand
point of the committee in order that a
So - he
The frat amendment suggested by MIR.