The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1900-02-02
NOW IT'S PORTO RICO.
Senate Committee Takes Issue With the
PresideBt-A merchandising the Island.

resident nirrtca nixing the Island.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-Ihe seuat'
committee on Porto Rico has decided
80 far as it can decide, that the island
,ha!l be known as Porto Rico and not
Puerto Rico, as fixed by a recent
executive order. At a meeting Of the
committee today in connection with
the Foraker bill providing a form Of
government for the island, the spelling
Ot the same was unanimously decided
upon.
The committee went over the bill IN
detail, deciding upon many changes IN
phraSeology and some alterations III 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 bill, which ex-
tended the provisions Of the coustitu-
ton as we'll a. of the laws of the
jhlted 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 amend ment pro-
yldes 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
mted 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
sitcred necessary.
'Ihn ,,,vi.i,,,- - Ill.,, lsn ..1.4t-
the questions of tariff, the Federal
the internal revenue and a dele
gate in the congress Of the United
were passed over until u full at
tendance Of members of the committee
could be secured, one or two of the
being absent during a 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
island with the United States
proper. The cOuccnsus of opinion of
members present seemed to be
favorable to a Slight duty, amounting to
% or 80 percent on articles imported into
the United States from other countries.
1t was decided to amend the provision
relating to a congressional delegate so
IS to require that if the provision is left
n the BILL the delegate shall read and
write the English language.
Ihe provision for the election of
members of the lower house Of the
'orto Rican legislature was left I'M
hanged, but there was considerable
discussion Of an amendment suggested
~ Senator Fairbanks abolishing the
legislature and putting the
'ntirely in the hands of a council to be
.ppolnted by the president of the United
'tateS, this council to consist of twelve |
1enbers and only five of item to be
esidentS of the islands.
The committee will probably meet
gam next Wednesday to complete the
ill,