The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1900-02-02
NOW IT'S PORTO RICO.
Senate Committee Takes Issue With the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the Island.

i senate committee Takes issue Win
President-Americanizi the Island
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-The senate
committee on Porto Rico has decided,
so far as it can decide, that the island
shall be known as Porto Rico and not
Puerto Rico, as fixed by a recent
executive order. At meeting of the
committee today in connection with
the Foraker bill providing a form of
| government for the island, the spelling
of the same was unanimously decided
upon.
The committee went over the bill in
detail, deciding upon many changes in
phraseology and some alterations in the
general provisions of the measure.
Probably one of the most important
changes was to strike out the word
constitution" wherever it appeared in
the original print of the bifl, which ex-
tended the provisions of the constitu-
ton as well as of the laws of the
United States to the island. The
| change was made because of the opinion
generally expressed by members of the
committee that our constitution was
also quite general that the extensive
nature Of the constitution was not
necessary. Some of the senators ex-
pressed the opinion that the natives of
the island were not yet prepared for
jury trials.
Another important amendment pro-
vides for the retirement of Porto Rican
coins and substitutes 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 Porto Rican
coins now in circulation at the present
rate of 60 cents of the money of the
United States for one peso, this rate to
be applied in the exchange of all other
coins. No coin but those of the United
States are to be legal tender in Porto
Rico for more than three months after
the passage of this act. Another pro-
vision authorizes the president to APP
point an officer of the army to be gov
ernor of the island, Notwithstanding
any present laws to the contrary, but
the appointment of such officer is made
optional with the president. All laws
enacted by the Porto Rican legislature
are to be reported to congress, which
reserves the right to annul them if con-
sidered necessary.
The provisions of the bill relating to
the questions of tariff, the Federal
courts, the internal revenue and dele
gate in the congress of the United
States were passed over until full at
tendance of members of the committee
h., =
members being absent during greater
part of the day. There was, however,
more or less discussion of the provisions
relating to all these subjects, and
especially to that giving free trade to
the island with the United States
proper. The concensus of opinion of
the members present seemed to be
favorable to slight duty, amounting to
p or 80 per cent on articles imported into
the United States from other countries.
1t was decided to amend the provision
relating to a congressional delegate so
as to require that if the provision is left
in the bill, the delegate shall read and
write the English language.
The provision for the election of
members of the lower house of the
Porto Rican legislature was left I'M
changed, but there was considerable
discussion of an amendment suggested
by Senator Fairbanks abolishing the
Legislature and putting the government
entirely in the hands of council to be
appointed by the president of the United
States, this council to consist of twelve
members and only five of trem to be
residents of the islands
The committee will probably meet
again next Wednesday to complete the
bill