Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-28
Senator Davis Speaks on the Porto
Rico Bill,
VOTE TO Be TAKEN NEXT TUESDAY
Free Coinage Amendment Defeat
ed, IS to 80.
ARMY BILL IN THE HOUSE

Mr. Nelson (NirnJ AT the opening of to-
days session OF the senate resigned from
the committee on Indian affairs. and by
order of the Senate MIR. Bard tCal) was
Eam,d 20 fiji the vacancy thus created.
y House bill providing that the Secretary
Of Tn, Treasury SHAH provide regulations
concerning the boir...rg OF vessels was
PASSED.
The conference report on the measure
providing additional amounts TO supply
rrg"nt 6ehciyrcios Was agreed TO.
In presenting 4 Resolution providing for
additional htip for the committee on PEN
SONS. Mr. GalllrErr. the chairman. said
there were nov 1.7:,' Sel.aie bills before the
committee and hundreds Cf Hunse bills Yet
to come. One senator. he said, had asked
the committee to Investigate forty-seFen
cases and it was physically Impossible to
do this work without additional help.
Vote the Porto Rican Bill.
sucre ssful effort WAS then made by
MIR. Foraker to fix time for vote on the
Porto Rican tariff ami government bill
Mr. Foraker asked for suggestions from
senators as to a time for the taking OF
vote.
Mr. Bacon tGaD suggested tomorrow. and
Mr.. Proctor CVt.) next Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Foraker said he preferred tomorrow
or Friday. but yielded to Mr.. Proctor's sug-
gestion and asked for a vote Tuesday on
the bill and pending amendments. This was
agreed TO.
Bills were passed as follows: Authorizing
the adjustment of rights of settlers on the
Navajo Indian reservation in Arizona. Pro-
viding for the Introduction of testimony In
behalf of the defendant in all preliminary
hearings of a criminal nature.
The Alaskan Bill.
Consideration of the Alaskan bill was re-
sumed the pending question being the SUBJ
stitute offered by Mr. Wolcott for Mr.. Car
tiers amendment relating to the mining of
gold in the sea off the Alaskan coast.
Mr.. Jones (Ark) made sharp attack
upon the Secretary of War for issuing per
mits to miners to dredge the Cape Nome
sands supposed to be rich in gold. He de-
nOunced the Secretary'S action as an out
rage and plain usurpation of authority"
The discussion of the Carter amendment
and the WOlcott substitute took a wide
range to mining laws and customs.
The substitute was defeated-ayes. II;
noes. 2s.
Carter Amendment Adopted.
The amendment of Mr.. Carter was then
adopted without division. The amendment
Is as follows:
That subject only to such general limi
tationS as may be necessary to exempt navi-
cation from artificial distractions all land
ana SnOdl water beIOW mean nlSn toe on
the shores. bays and inletS of Boring sea,
within The jurisdiction Of the United States
shall be subject to exploration for gold and
other precious metals by citizens OF the
United States or persons who have legally
declared their Intentions TO become such
under such reasonable rules and regulations
the miners in organized mining districts
may have heretofore made or may here
after make governing the temporary pos
session thereof for exploration and mining
purposes until otherwise provided by law.
PROVIDED further. That the rules and
re equations established by the miners shall
lot be in conflict with the mining laws OF
The United States; and all permits hereto
fore granted authorizing any person or per-
sons. corporations or company to excayate
or MIN under any of said waters are here
by revoked and declared null and void
Free Coinage Defeated.
Consideration OF the Porto Rican bill was
then resumed. the pending question being
upon the free silver coinage amendment
nered by Mr.. Morgan.
The amendment was defeated-a3 to Is.
Mr.. Davis Opposes a Tariff.
During the debate on the Porto Rican
bill. Mr.. Davis (Minnl took the floor and
spoke against the tariff provision. He said
there was no danger to American labor in
the small products of the island: that even
II so. the IL per cent of the Dingley bill
was n" protection. As to the Philippines.
with when reached, no matter what party
was in power.
Continuing. Mr.. Davis said that adequate
protection would be afforded the working
men OF America Porto Rico was but 100
miles from our coast and the Philippines
5000. There was every reason to believe
that Porto Rico could be brought into and
under our form of government successfully
and within a few years.
Mr.. Davis said that the tariff was incon-
siste1t. Our coasting trade laws We're ex-
tended to the island. and other laws also.
There should he said, be no difference in
our tariff laws.
Mr.. Davis said the proposed tariff was re-
pugnant to the American people. They
were now saying We proposed free rum
and a tax on food. clothing and the neces-
saries Of life He said the burden of taxa
ton should be placed on rum and tobacco.
Executive Session.
At pm. the Senate went into executive
session.
THE unJS