The record-union., 1898-12-13
Two important Questions Brought
Up in the Senate.
Territorial Expansion and the Construction
of the Nicaragua Canal.
Vest Calls Up His Resolution De-
elaring. 1t to be Unconstitu-
tional for This Government to
Acquire Foreign Territory Ex-
cept for Coaling Stations, and
Morgan Opens Debate on the
Canal Bill.

Canal Bill.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-Discussion
Of two questions, each of Importance
and interest at this session, was begun
by the Senate at its session to-day.
Territorial expansion and the construc-
tion of the Nicaragua Canal occupied
the attention of the body during the
81 eater part of the afternoon.
AS soon as the routine morning busl-
ness had been disposed Of Vest OF Mis-
souri, called up his resolution onereu
last week, declaring it to be unconstl-
tutional for this Government to acquire
foreign territory except for cealing sta
tion or some like purpose, unless It's
intention was to confer Statehood upon
the Territory and citizenship upon its
Inhabitants. Vest declared that it was
a basic principle of this Government
that 1.-The powers of the Government
were derived from the consent of the
governed" and maintained that the
Federal Government had no authority,
either in morals. or in the Constitution,
10 go beyond that principle. He held
that the principle had been sustained
by the Supreme Court in various decl-
sions, and that no public man of promi-
nence or recognized tribunal had
ever been reckless enough to controvert
it,
Morgan opened the debate on the
canal bill with three hours appeal
for action at this session. The whole
country, he said, would be disappointed
If Congress did not act. He was willing
to take any measure which would result
in the building of the canal. In the
course of his remarks he agreed to ac-
cept an amendment specifically except
ing the canal from neutrality with re-
gard to any country with which the
United States might be at war.
AT the opening Hoar and Hale pre-
sented resolutions of citizens of their
States, demonstrating against the ex-
tension Of a sovereignty over the Phil
ippine Islands, and against the acquisi-
tion of foreign territory without the
consent of the people of such territory.
The resolutions were referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
Pettigrew introduced a bill authoriz-
ing NJ. A. Bartlett to raise the battle
ship Maine and transport it to the
United States.
q
committee to prepare and carry out
plans for the celebration of the centen-
NAL of the city of Washington as capi
tai Of the United States.
Hoar introduced the following resolu-
tion:
THAT the Committee on Military Af-
fairs be instructed to inquire and report
as soon as may be possible whether
some policy may not be established by
law by which soldiers in the regular
army who have families or parents de-
pending upon them for support, or
whose education or opportunities. for
business will be seriously interfered
with by longer continuance in the mill
tary service, and who enlisted for the
war, or under assurances that they
would only be held while the war lasted
may be promptly discharged, and their
places, so far as necessary, be filled
with new recruits
Vest Of Missouri then called up his
resolution offered last week, declaring
the Constitution confers no power on
the Federal Government to acquire ter
ritory to be held and governed perma-
nently as colonies, and addressed the
Senate thereon. He did not propose,
ne said, to say anything that would ne
eessitate a secret session, as he had no
intention TO discuss any treaty now
pending, or which was to be proposed
hereafter to be offered. 1t seemed to
him peculiarly apt to discuss the pos
sessions of the United States under our
Constitution.
When the principal law officer of the
Government" said he, says that the
Constitution is too small for the present
conditions of our Government, it seems
to me. time to inquire what the Consti-
tuition is.'
Vest said: "Our forefathers fought
for four years against taxation with
out representation. The Declaration
of independence had been drawn up
with the idea that all governments de-
rived their power from the consent of
the governed. 1t was incredible that
the founders of the Government could
have looked forward to the time when
millions of human beings could be held
without their consent. merely as chat
tells to be disposed of by the sovereign
powers of the mother country as 1t
might choose.
He then quoted from the Dred Scott
decision OF the United States Supreme
Court in support of his proposition, and
declared: Il assert now that not one
tribunal or a single public man has
contradicted that part of the Dred
Scott decision until within the last six
months. when the craze of expansion
seems 70 have taken possession of the
American people"
Vest thought it was the purpose of
the expansionists to adopt the Euro
pean policy of colonization, notwith-
standing that the principles of this
Government We're the granting of citi-
zenship to- all within the Jurisdiction
of the Government, except alone the
Indians In the Act of cession Of
territory of Louisiana from France to
the United States is found a provision
that the inhabitants. as soon as posi-
BILE, shall be made citizens of the Unit
ed States. and the Territory of Louisi-
ana be made a State of the Union So
1t was, declared Vest. when Oregon
was obtained from Spain. and Alaska