The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-28

Senate to-day, but most Of the time was
consumed In the consideration of free
coinage amendment offered by A1r. Nor
son. The amendment is still pending.
Tie conference report on the pension ap-s
preparation bill was agreed to-
A resolution was agreed to, calling on
the Interior Department for all papers
in connection with the charges filed
against Governor Barnes, Of Oklahoma
The Alaskan code bill was taken up. Is
Mr.. Carter, OF Montana, in charge of the:
bill, offered an amendment, making all
land and shoal water below mean high
tide on the shores. bays and inlets of
Behrins Sea within United States juris-
diction. subject TO exploration for precious
metals by citizens of the United States, or
those who have legally declared inten-s
tions to become such citizers under the
miners rules and revoking all permits
heretofore granted for such purnose.
Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska, complained that
the permits granted by the Secretary OF
War were exclusive
Mr. Carter explained that the licenses
granted were such as could be granted
TO any citizen OF the Ua,ited States.
In sharp attack upon the action OF
the Secretary Of War. Mr.. Jones, Of Ar
Kansas. said 1t was evident to him that
the permits had been granted In order TO
no court Of fsiustice would give 1t, and that
1t was deliberate scheme of few per-
sons to nlonopolize that rich Cape Nome
sand.
His and other suggested amendments
were discussed at length. and were still
pending when. at 9 O'Clock, by previous
agreement the Porto Rico measure was
taken up.
PORTO RICO BILL
Mr.. Foraker announced that he had
concluded not to ask separation of the
tariff and civil government bills, but had
decided to proceed with the unfinished
business as it was now before the Senate.
Mr.. Stewart, of Nevada. addressed the
Senate on the general features of the
measure. FIe maintained that we had
nothing to fear either from the people Of
the islands or from the possession of the
islands.
The criticism he said. would soon pass
away. and the Islands eventually would
give employment to many thousands OF
Americans as well as to their own In
habtants. Their product would not njure
the trade of this country.
The paragraph as to franchises In the
bill was amended to read:
Provided, however. that all grants Of
franchises, rights and privileges or con-
cessions of public or quasi-public uature
shall be made by the executive council,
with the approval of the governor, and
all franchises granted in Porto Rico shall
be reported to Congress. which hereby
reserves the power to annul or modify
the same
Mr.. Morgan offered an amendment to
section seven of the bill, providing for
the free coinage of silver iii the United
States He said he found no provision
in The hill for rhp establishment of ma
tional banks on the island.
Mr.. Foraker replied that the bill eX-
tends all of the laws of the United States
to Porto Rico. which are not locally in
applicable.
Does the Senator think national banks
may be established there?" inquired Mr.
Morgan.
within the limitations named in the
bill l should say yes" responded Mr..
Foraker.
NOT. "A FoRBIGN COUNTRY.
Then" retorted Mr.. Morgan, Porto
Rico is not a foreign country. There is
no question about the logic Of that propo-
siton."
Mr.. Foraker explained that the pro-
vision in the bill relating to coinage was
simply one for the exchange of the Porto
Rican silver coin into American Sil-er
.ccin. The general question of the free
coinage of silver did not enter into the
matter
Mr.. Morgan declared that the pending
bill proposed TO take from the Porto
Ricans the peso. which was practically
a dollar. and pay them sixty cents for it.
To this statement Mr.. Foraker took is
sue. The Porto Rico peso. he said was
now worth about forty-eight. cents in our
money in Porto Rico. and the bill provid-