New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-28
SENATOR'S VIEWS CHANGED.
IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS MADE IN THE
PLAN OF GOVERNMENT FOR
PUERTO RICO

Washington Jan. 27.-The Senate Committee
on Puerto Rico has decided so far as it can de-
eide that the island whose affairs it has under
its particular care shall be known as Porto
Rico and not Puerto Rico as fixed by a recent
Executive order. The question came up to-day
In the meeting Of the committee in connection
with the Foraker bill providing a form OF gov
ernment for the island. and the decision on the
spelling of the name was unanimous.
The committee went over the bill in detail.
deciding on many changes in phraseology and
some alterations in the general provisions Of the
measure Probably Of the most important
changes was to strike out the word "Constitu-
ton wherever it appeared in the original 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 the Con-
stitution of the United States is not suited to
the Puerto Rican people. The opinion was
also quite general that the extension of the
Constitution was not necessary. Some of the
Senators expressed the opinion that the natives
of the island were not yet prepared for jury
trials
CHANGE OF CURRENCY SYSTEM
Another important amendment provides for
the retirement of Puerto Rican coins and substi-
tutes 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 Puerto 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 except those of the United
States are to be legal tender in Puerto Rico for
more than three months after the passage Of
this act.
Another provision authorizes the President TO
appoint an officer of the Army to be Governor of
the island, Notwithstanding any present laws to
the contrary. but the appointment OF such Off
Ger is made optional with the President. AL
laws enacted by the Puerto Rican Legislature
are to be reported to Congress, which reserves
the right to annul them If considered necessary.
The provisions Of the bill relating to the tarifr.
the Federal Courts, the internal revenue and
Delegate in the Congress OF the United States
were passed over until a full attendance could
be secured. one or two Of the members being
absent the greater part of the day. There was,
however, more or less discussion Of the pro-
visions relating to all these subjects, and espe-
cially to that giving free trade to the island
with the United States proper The consensus
Of opinion of the members present seemed to be
favorable to a slight duty amounting to % or
30 per cent, articles imported into the United
States from the islands 1t was decided to
amend the provision relating to a Delegate In
Congress so as to require that If that feature is
left in the bill the Delegate shall read and write
the English language.
AN ISLAND COUNCIL SUGGESTED.
The provision for the election of members Of
the lower house of the Puerto Rican Legislature
was left unchanged. but there considerable
discussion Of an amendment suggested by Sen
ator Fairbanks abolishing the Legislature and
putting the Government entirely in the hands
of a Council to be appointed by the President
OF the United States. this Council to consist of
twelve members. only five of them to be resi-
dents OF the island.
The committee will probably meet again on