The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-01
THE PETTUs AMENDMENT LOST.
Would Have Prevented Porto Rican Laws Con-
flicting With Constitution
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, March 31.--So far as the
committee in charge of the measure is
concerned, the Porto Rican Bill was com
pleted today with the exception of two
amendments, which Senators had request
ed should lie over until Monday. The
final two days debate on the bill will be-
gin at IL O'Clock Monday. At 4 o'clock
Tuesday afternoon the votes will be taken
on the pending amendments and the bill.
The feature of today's session was an
exhaustive discussion of the pending mea-
sure by Mr.. Fairbanks, of Indiana. Par
ticular interest was manifested by Sena-
tors ON both sides of the Chamber in
the speech, in view of the attitude of
Mr.. Fairbanks colleague, Mr. Beveridge.
He supported vigorously and unequivo-
cally the pending measure, making an
argument which. some of his colleagues
said. would attract widespread attention.
Consideration of the Porto Rican Bill
being resumed Mr.. Bacon (Ga.) made a
statement concerning the substitute he
offered yesterday for the pending unfinish-
ed business. He desired, he said, to ar
rOgate to himself no credit for the sub
stitute as it was the measure originally
". He could not speak for all members
on his side of the chamber. but he knew
that as he had introduced the
measure in the utmost good faith
some Democrats. at least, would
support it. 1t presented, he thought, the
best proposition yet made as to Porto
Rico. inasmuch as it provided free,
territorial government of the United
States.
The pending question was on the
amendment offered by Mr.. Allen (Neb.)
providing that the bill should designate
Porto Rico as territory of the United
States.
Mr.. McComas read recent statement
of Mr.. Havemeyer, President of the
American Sugar Refining Company, in
which he argued in favor of the free
admission to the United States of sugar
from Porto Rico, and expressing the be-
lief that the time would come soon when
it would be admitted free.
When that section of the bill relating
to the legislative assembly of Porto Rico
was reached. Mr.. Pettus (Ala.) offered
this amendment:
THAT the Legislative Assembly of
Porto Rico shall have no power or au-
| thority to enact any law in conflict with
the Constitution OF the United States"
| The amendment was 1ost--15 to 81.
Mr.. Fairbanks then addressed the SEN
ate in support of the pending measure.
'Mr. President" he said, in the course
of his remarks, cit has not es-
capped public attention that lobby
| from Porto Rico has been maintained here
during the consideration of the pending
bill. 1t is headed by a British subject,
who has been insistent for free trade
between. Porto Rico and the United
States, and who is one of the largest
producers of sugar in the island having
| over $500, 600 invested in his sugar enter
prises.'
1t was provided by an amendment Of
fered by Mr.. Allen and accepted by Mr..
Foraker that mo public indebtedness of
Porto Rico or of any municipality thereof
shall be authorized or allowed in excess
| of per cent. of the aggregate tax valua-
ton of its property
The committee had fixed the limit at
10 per cent. of the tax valuation.
The committee amendments with the
exception of two--the one relating to
the question of citizenship of Porto Rico.
and the other fixing the qualifications of
a delegate to the House of Representa-
| tives of the United States, were agreed to.
Mr.. Chandler, Chairman of the Com
mittee on Elections, gave notice that he
would defer asking the Senate to begin
the consideration of the case of former
Senator Quay on Tuesday next in accord
ance with the unanimous agreement, but
that he would ask the Senate to proceed
with the case on Wednesday next, either
under the order of the Senate or as a
subject of the highest possible privilege
A bill was passed granting lands to the
State OF Alabama for the education of
colored students at Montgomery and
Troy, Ala. 4
After brief executive session, the
Senate, at 4:10 o'clock p. m, adjourned
until II o'clock a. m. Monday.