New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-02
THE FORAKER AND COOPER BILLS.
MEASURES PROVIDING A TEMPORARY
CIVIL GOVERNMENT FOR
PUERTO RICO.


CIVIL GOVERNMENT FOR
PUERTO RICO.
Washington. March l (Specia).-The Cooper bin
is much comprehensive in its provisions than
the Senate bill which designed to provide tenn
porary civil government for Puerto Rico. The Sem
ate bill authorizes the appointment of Commits
SIGN TO compile and revise the laws, the various
codes Of procedure and systems of municipal gov
eminent and to frame and report such legislation
may be necessary TO make simple. harmonious
and economical government, establish justice and
secure its prompt and efficient administration, in
augu1te general system OF education and pub
lie instruction, provide buildings and funds there
for. eQualize and simplify taxation and all the
other methods of raising revenue, and make all
other provisions that may be necessary to secure
and extend the benefits Of republican form of
government to all the Inhabitants of Puerto Rico.
AS to citizenship the bill provides that "all the
Inhabitants continuing 10 reside in the island who
were Spanish subjects April II. 1899, and were
then residing therein. and their children born sub
seGuent thereto shall be deemed and held citizens
of Puerto Rice" except such as shall have elected
TO preserve their Spanish allegiance prior to April
il, 1899 and together with citizens of the United
States residing therein, shall constitute a body
polite under the name OF the people Of Puerto
Rico"
COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION LAWS EX-
TENDED.
The laws and ordinances now IN force. or as al
Aerec modified by the military authorities in
force when the act goes into effect. far the
same not IL conflict with the laws Of the United
Etates. locally applicable the provisions here
Of shall be IN full force until repealed altered or
modified by the Legislative Assembly or by Con-
gress The laws Of the United States relating 10
commerce navigation and merchant seamen are
extended over Puerto Rico. and provision is made
so- the naturalization of ali Puerto Rican vessels
and the to be allowed to engage in the
coaswise trade between the ports OF the island and
are be established In Puerto Rico under the
Marine Hospital Bureau
Provision is made for the retirement OF the
Puerto Rican coins and the substitution Of coins OF
OF the latter for one Puerto Rican peso, and
the same ratio for minor subsidiary coins.
The Puerto Rican coins shall be re-
coined az the expense Of the United States
into such coins of the United States as the
Secretary Of the Treasury may direct and from
and after three months after this act goes into
effect coins shall be legal tender IN payment
of any debt thereafter contracted in Puerto Rico
except those OF the United States; and sufficient
gum 10 carry out this provision s appropriated.
Sections and 10 substantially the
the provisions Of the Tariff bill which passed the
House yesterday Section extends over Puerto
Rico the laws of the United States relating to in
ternal revenue. All expenses incurred for salaries
OF officials. the conduct of their Offices and depart
1nents and for the internal improvement of the
island not including defences, barracks. harbors,
lighthouses buoys and other works undertaken by
the United States. are to be PAID by the Treasurer
Of Puerto Rico out Of the island revenues.
By Section II the statutory laws OF the United
States. far locally applicable extended
over Puerto Rico The Legislature shall have
power to alter, amend repeal any law ordi-
nance continued in fierce by this act All vested
rights of property. all contracts actions, rights
of action etc. now existing shall not be affected
by this act and continue enforcible All ofhcias
authorized by the act before entering upon the
duties Of their respective Offices. shall take
oath to support the Constitution of the United
States and the laws of Puerto Rico.
THE ISLAND OFFICIALS
Section II provides that the Governor Of Puerto
Rico shall be appointed by the President and
hrmed by the Senate, and prescribes his duties.
There shall also be appointed by the President,
by and with the advice and consent Of the Senate,
q Secretary. an Attorney-General, a Treasurer,
Auditor, a Commissioner OF the Interior and
Commissioner OF Education, who, together with
Eve other persons appointed In the same manner,
shall constitute Executive Council, at least
five Of whom shall be native inhabitants Of Puerto
Rico The Duties OF the several executive officers
prescribed by the next five sections of the bill
The other five members of the Executive Council
shall attend all sessions of the and partici-
pate in all business transacted by It. shall
ceive such salaries as may be provided by the
Legislative Assembly. The Executive Council
shall constitute one branch of said assembly, and
the other branch shall consist OF thirty-hve
pers elected bienniaiiy. AT such elections all cti-
Of Puerto Rico shall be allowed TO vote who
possess the qualifications OF voters under the laws
and military orders now in force. subject TO such
additional qualifications and such regulations and
restrictions the Executive Council may pre-
scribe No person shall be eligible to membership
1n the House Of Delegates who is not twenty-five
years of and able TO read and write either
the Spanish English language who is
possessed in his right of real personal
taxable property in Puerto Rico. The Governor
IS clothed with the power of veto, and ali laws
passed be reported to Congress- which re-
serves the right to annui the same The Legis-
lature is clothed with the power to pass laws
locally applicable. including power to create,
eolidate and reorganize municipalities. and make,
alter, amend repeal all laws therefor
THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
The judicial power shall be vested in the courts
and tribunals now established and in operation.
The Chief Justice and Associate Justices Of the
Supreme Court and the marshal thereof shall be
appointed by the President by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate. and the judges the
district cot,ts shall be appointed by the Governor
by and with the advice and consent OF the Execu-
tive Council. The bill also provides that Puerto
Rico shall constitute judicial d.etrict which shall
be attached TO and be part OF the I'D Judicial
Circuit OF the United States, snf district judges
the district attorney and marshal thereof shall
be appointed by the President by and with the adj
vice and consent OF the Senate each for q term