The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-13

WASHINGTON. Dec. 12.-Discussion OF
two questions each OF Importance and fn-
terest at this session. was begun by the
senate at its session today. Territorial ex-
pansion and the construction OF the Nicar-
aqua canal occupied the attention OF that
body duriag the greater part OF the after
noon.
AS soon as the routine morning business
had been disposed of. Vest OF Missouri CALI
ed up his resolution. offered last week. dee
claring 1t to be unconstitutional for this
government to acquire foreign territory.
except for coaiing stations or some like
purpose. unless Its intention was to confer
statehood upon the territory and citizen
ship upon its inhabitants. Vest declared ie
was a basic principle Of this government
"that the powers OF the government were
derived from the consent Of the governed"
and maintained that the Federal govern
ment had no authority either In morals or
in the constitution to so beyond that prin-
ciplc. He held that the principle had been
sustained by the supreme court in various
decisions. and that no public man OF promi-
nence and no recognized tribunal had ever
been reckless enough to controvert 1t.
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 II congress did not
act lie was willing 20 take any measure
which would result In the building Of tho
canal. In the course OF his remarks he
agreed to accept an amendment specifically
excepting the canal from neutrality with
regard TO any country with which the Unit
ed States might be at war.
Hoar and Hale presented resolutions OF
citizens OF their states demonstrating
against the extension OF American sover-
eighty over the Philippines. and against the
acquisition OF foreign territory without tho
consent Of the people Of such territory. The
resolutions were referred TO the committee
on foreign relations.
Pettigrew introduced a bin authorizing
NJ Bartlett to raise the battieship Maine
and transport Il to the United States.
Hear introduced a resolution for a conn
mittee 20 prepare and carry out plans for
celebration of the centennial OF the city
OF Washington as the capital OF the United
States.
Hear introduced the following resolutions:
THAT the committee on military affairs be
instructed TO inquire and report as soon az
may be whether some policy may not be
established by law by which the soldiers In
the regular army who have families or
parents dependent on them for support, or
whose education or opportunities for busi-
ness will be seriously lnterfered with by
longer continuance In the military service,
and who enlisted for the war, or under as
eurance that they would be held only while
the war lasted, may be promptly discharg-
ed, and their places, as far as necessary,
be filled with new recruits
Vest then called up the resolution he Of
fered last week. declaring that the consti-
tuition confers no power on the Federal
government 70 acquire territory 10 be held
and governed permanently ~ colonies. and
addressed the senate thereon.
when the principal law officer OF the
government" said he. says the constitu-
ton Is TOO small for the present conditions
Of our government. it seems 10 me time to
| Inquire what that constitution is
The Declaration Of Independence had been
drawn up with the idea that all govern
ments derived their Just powers from the
consent OF the governed. II was incredible
that The founders Of the government could
have looked forward to the time when mil
| lions Of human beings could be held without
their consent, merely chattels 10 be dis
pcsea OF az the sovereign powers OF the
mother country might choose. He then
quoted frcm the Dred Scott decision from
the United States supreme court In support
OF his proposition. and declared: II assert
| now that not one tribunal or single aubic
man has contrad!c.ed that part of the Dred
| sc3;t decision Until within the last six
mcuths. when the craze for expansion
seems 10 have taken possession OF the
| American people"
| Vest thought 1t was tie purpose of the
| expanslonists to adopt the European pol
| Icy OF colonization. Notwithstanding that
| fhe. principles OF this government favored
| granting Of citizenship 20 all within the
| jurisdiction OF this government. except In
| dians. In the act Of eeSsson of the terri
| tory Of Louisiana from France Is found
1 the provision that the inhabitants. as soon
| a. possible. shall be made citizens %
| the United States. ard the territory Of
| Louisiana be made state OF the Union.
| so IL was. declared Vest. when Oregon
| was obtained from Spain and when Alas
| ka vas obtained from Russia when.
| where. how" he asked have We sur-
/ rendered the great principle that this y
| a confederation OF ssates7 cannot con-
| cesva II 20 be possible 20 point out any
| other form Of government under the con-
sfituS.on."
| yest declared the United States su-
| preme court had settled that question fog
n