The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-30
SENATE.

under discussion for nearly three
the time was consumed In the consid-
Grafton OF a free coinage amendment
offered by Senator Morgan. The
amendment IS still pending. The con-
ference report on the pension appro-
priation bill was agreed to.
4 resolution was agreed to calling
on the interior department for all pa
pers in connection with charges file
against Governor Barnes, OF Okla
homa.
The Alaskan code bill was taken up.
Senator Carter, of Montana. in charge
of the bill, offered an amendment
making all land and shoal water be-
low mean tide On the shores, bays and
inlets Of Boring sea within United
States jurisdiction subject to explora-
ton for precious metals by United
States citizens or those who have le-
gally declared intentions to become
such citizens under the miners rules,
and revoking all permits heretofore
granted for such purpose.
This and other suggested amend
ments were discussed at length. but
were still pending, when at 2 o'clock,
by previous agreement, the Porto
Rican measure was taken up.
n Foraker announced that he
had concluded not to ask a separation
of the tariff n civil government bills.
but had decided to proceed with the
unfinished business as it was now be-
fore the senate.
The paragraph as to franchises in
the bill was amended to read as fol-
lows: Provided, however, that all
grants of franchises, rights and privi-
leges or concessions Of a public or
q~uasi-public nature shall be made by
the executive council. with b APP
prevail of the governor, and all fran
chiseS granted in Porto Rico shall be
reported to congress, which hereby
reserves the power to annul or modify
the same"
Senator Morgan offered an amend
ment to Section Z of the bill. provid-
ing for the free coinage of silver IN
the United States. He said he found
no provision in the bill for the estab-
lishment of national banks on the IS
land.
Senator Foraker replied that the
bill extends all of the laws of the
United States to Porto Rico. which
are not locally inapplicable.
Does the senator think national
banks may be established there" in
quired Senate Morgan.
within the limitations named in
the bill, 1 should say yes" responded
Senator Foraker.
Then retorted Senator Morgan,
Porto Rico is not a foreign country.
There is no question about the logic of
that proposition"
Senator Foraker explained that the
provision in the bill relating to coin
age was simply one for the exchange
of the Porto Rican silver ooin into
American silver coin. The general
question of the free coinage Of silver
did not enter into the matter.
Senator Morgan declared hat the
pending bill proposed to TAX from
the Porto Ricans the peso. which was
practically a dollar, and pay them so
cents for it.
To this statement, Senator Foraker
took issue. The Porto Rico peso, he
said, was now worth about 4S cents
in u money in Porto Rico and the
bill proposed to pay 60 cents in money
of the United States for it, provided
the Porto Ricans desired to make the
change.
Senator Clay: rs it not a fact that
the Porto Rican peso contains an
ounce of silver and that when recoin-
ed into American money it win be
worth 100 cents"
Well" responded Senator Foraker,
Il don't know what will be done with
it, but I do know that we are propos
ing to pay the Porto Ricans so cents
for what we could get at a less price
elsewhere. And the Porto Ricans are
pleased at the prospect"
An y and no vote was taken on
the amendment, but as no quorum was
present, the senate at 4:50 O'Clock p.
m. adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
A lively debate covering a wide range
of tOnicG including Porto Rico the
Philippines n the Boer war was en-
gagged in in the house today while the
army appropriation bill was under
consideration. At the outset, Mr.. Tai
bert, of South Carolina, complained of
the measures vast extravaganza and
replied to structures De his curse as
to private pension legislation. The
published interview with an unnamed
republican representative, charging
that the Porto Rico tariff was the re-
suit of a bargain for campaign funds
was again brought up by Mr.. Pierce,
of Tennessee.
Mr.. Steele wanted to know how the
Porto Rico tariff bill could be Used
to raise a campaign fund.
Mr.. Pierce replied hat he Gould not
give the exact steps, but that vast
sums of money a been raised by the
| republican party in 1896 from various
quarters could not be denied. The con-
| trlDulOrS III one QSIdnce mad even
| logged the memory Of the secretary OF
the treasury and he had not dared 10
J resent h insult. Democratic ap-
plause.)
Mr.. Hull, of Iowa, as a member of
the republican campaign committee.
said no man worthy of belief would
make such charges anonymously.
Mr.. Sulzer, of New York, denounced
the administrators attitude toward
the war in South Africa. All the pro-
Boer resolutions, he said, still slept in
committee Il therefore" he said, de
sire TO place on, record my abhorrrence
and condemnation Of the unjust. the in
human, the predatory, the cruel and
the barbarous war the empire OF Great
Britain is relentlessly waging in South
Africa to destroy and exterminate two
brave little republics-sisters OF our
own-and as free and Independent.
America must do its duty. The great
| republic, the Deacon light of the world,
in the name Of liberty. humanity and
justice must demand peace and make
that demand good. We have the