The Washington weekly post., 1900-03-20
Fridays Proceedings,

The Republican majority of the Senate
went solidly on record Friday against
the contention that the Constitution has
followed the flag to Porto Rico. One
Democratic Senator. Mr.. Lindsay, cast his
vote with the Republicans.
The question came before the Senate In
connection with an amendment proposed
to the Porto Rican emergency apprOpria-
tion bill, offered by Senator Allen, of Ne
braska. as follows:
That the Constitution was by force of the treaty
concluded between the United States and the king
dom OF Spain, at the city OF Paris France April
Il, 1899 extended the island of Porto Rico and
its inhabitants.
The motion of Senator Allison. that this
amendment be laid upon the table,
brought the question speedily to an issue,
and the vote was naturally followed with
extreme interest Its result as announc-
ed, showed that thirty-six Senators had
voted TO defeat the amendment, while sew
enteen Senators voted in its faver. The
vote was test one, except that Mr. Hoar
was not recorded, and although his pair
with Senator Pettus was allowed TO stand.
it is probable that, if present. he would
have announced himself on the side of
the Democratic contention. There was no
previous to the voting. Mr.. Lindsay had,
however. made his position clearly known
IN speech some days ago. and the SUBJ
ject was thoroughly presented in the re-
port submitted by Mr.. Foraker on the
Porto Rican bill.
How the senate Voted.
The vote on the constitutional question
was as follows:
Yeas-AllisOn, Baker. Bard. Beveridge, Carter.
Davis Deboe, Elkns Fairbanks Foraker, Foster
Gallinger, Gear, Hale. Hanna. Hawey Kean Lind
say, Lodge, Mcbride, MCCOmas. McCumber, MeMil-
Ian, PenrOse, Perkins. Pritchard. Quarles. Ross,
SeWell Shoup. Simon, spoo9er, Thurston, Warren,
Wellington, and Wetmore-S6
Nays-Alen, Bacon. Bate Berry, Butler. ChIlton.
Clark (Mont), Clay. CockreIl CuIberson, Harris,
kenney. McLaurin, Morgan, Rawlins. Tillman, and
Turley-H.
The Relief Bill Passed.
The relief bill was passed Friday ar
ternOOn without even the formality of a
roll-call.
The text of the bill as passed is as fol-
lows:
BE it enacted, &C.. That the sum OF g. G95 49,
being the amount OF customs revenue received on
importations by the United States from Porto Rico
SiASS INC tNa-gdAlsl Ol EOTlD fltO Ug I1e spanish
forces on the 18th Of October 1885 to the lst Of
January, 1890. shall be placed at the disposal Of
the President to be used for the government now
existing and which may hereafter be established in
Porto Rico, and fo- public education public works
and other governmental and public purposes there
in; and the said sum, or 50 much thereof as NAV
be necessary is hereby appropriated for the pur-
poses herein specified. out Of any moneys in the
Treasury not otherwise Appropriated.
The bill for establishing a civil govern
ment In Porto Rico has been practically
completed by the subcommittee Of the
House Committee an Insular Affairs. In
addition TO the features already published,
the committee has incorporated provisions
relating TO corporations. The bill prohib-
its the issue Of stock or bonds except for
cash or the issue of stock or bond div!-
dends- 1t prohibits the granting of public
franchises by private bills but provides
for a general franchise law, reserying 10
the Legislature the power to amend, alter
or repeal franchises at will, and also the
right TO purchase such franchises
1t prohibits the organization OF banks
Of issue and the organization Of agrlcult-
uraI corporations. The latter provision
is 20 prevent the agricultural lands Of the
island falling into the hands of a big
corporation. Following the law IN this
country, it also provides that banks pro-
curing title TO lands in payment Of debts
must dispose Of such land within five
years.
Representative Fitzgerald, Of Afassaehu-
setts, Friday introduced the following
resolution:
Whereas. 1t appears. a matter Of public rse
ord. that the Standard OH Company paid IN the
eit7 Of New YORK On March I5 $500. The sum q,
81. GO. this amount being on erfra diy,AA,5
in addition 10 TIE regular quarterly dividend of
s. 60 go. and
Whereas ii is = matter Of public record .ts, ,,i.
last dividend is s5 go oo0 in excess az re "a.
quarterly divldsri paid By this corbarstioo. ard
Whereas Il is aiso matter OF PUZZLE record th.,
the price o. kerosire OIL the sole means Of uebt-
ing uEsd b tie middle and poorer classes az ,soI
during the period Of time between TIE derlsrs,ion
q these diFitends vas Increased oerts per esIlop
constituting tax OF eysry home In Tie land tseya
fore be il
Resolved. That IL the opinion O, Cougrsz. his
action ot the Standard Oh Company Is in dir.
violation q the provisions o, the sherman anu
trust Law. and therefore punishable BY ans ard in
prisoEnent and The Attorney Cereal is hereby
directed In accordance With the pToTtfous e' Tia.
act 10 direct the several district attornsyS o, he
United States in thaF respective districts 10 IN
Stitute proper PROCEEDINGS to brig ne aboye-
naned yiolEiors q lav TO Justice.
Appropriation for the Militia.
TIE House Committee on Militia Fri
DAY directed favorable report on the biz
Of Representative Marsh. Of Illinois. In
creasing the apDropriatiOu for the ns,fonaI