The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-17
THE PHILIPPINE
BILL IS PASSED
Several Amendments are
Adopted.
FEATURES OF THE BILL
German and carmack Oppose the Low
ering of the Rate of Interest on
Railroad Bonds, One of the
Notable Provisions of
the Bill.
(By the Associated Press )

Washington, Dec. 16.-The Senate
today carried ont its unanimous
agreement to vote on the Philippine
Civil Government Bill, and by a vote
of Al TO %, passed the measure. The
final vote was preceded by the pre-
sentation Of MANY amendments and
q general discussion of them as Well
as of the provisions Of the BILL There
were occasional political references,
but. in the main, the discussion was
confined to the merits of the measure.
On some of the amendments suggest
ed by Democrats Senator'S several
Western Republicans cast their Vores
in the affirmative, but Mr.. McCur-
Der was the only Republican wno
voted with th4 Democrats against ine
final passage If the i'll.
The most no:ab;4 chang made iur
ing the day WAS the lowering Of the
rate of interest on railroad bonds to
be guaranteed by the Philippine gov
ernTnent from i've IL four per cent
The bill IS passed eXemptS from
taxation all bonds issued by the Phil
ippine and Porto Rican governments;
authorizes municipalities in the Phil
ippineS TO incur bondei indebted
ness amounting to five per cent of
the assessed valuation of their prop
erty at five per cent interest; author
iHeS the 1ItlllPpIuC government 10
incur a bonded indebtedness Of So
100000 for improvements at 4 I-2
per cent interest; authorizes the
Philippine government to guarantee
the payment of interest on railroad
bonds at the rate of four per cent
per annun provides for the adminis-
tration of the immigration laws by
the Philippine authorities; establish
ed a system for the location and
patenting of mineral, coal and saline
lands: fixes the metric system for the
islands and sIves the civil governor
the title Of governor general.
The Statehood Bill.
Dring the day Mr.. Reveridge, from
the Committee on Territories, report
ed the Statehood Bill. He gave no
tice at that time that Immediately
after the disposal of the Philippines
Bill he would move the consideration
of the Statehood Bill, but upon dis
covering that the rules require the
Senate committee reports to lie over
fol. a day he decided not to enter the
motion until after the Christmas
holidays. his intention being to make
the motion on the first day that the
Senate conveneS in January. During
the debate on the Philippine Bill the
provision exempting bonds from tax
alton met with oppositioT from Mr..
German. who contended the exemp-
ton was wrong in principle.
Mr. Carmack said he was opposed
to the railroad bond provision. be-
cause it would make it more ditfic'lit
for the United States TO get out of
the Philippines. He quoted the
Presidents hope that our Cuban
policy might at some time be adopted
i'm tile Philippines. This he charac-
teriZed as the remuneration of the Re-
publican policy and i'll line with the
Democratic platform.
.'XVe welcome the President to the
ranks of the anti-Imperialists," he
SAID. "He is almost, if not quite,
eligible TO membership in the Boston
anti-ImDeriaIst League.
The Senate adjourned until Mon
day.
The Ca of Joseph Sargent.
Washington. Dec. 16,-To-day's ses-