The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-07
Can HAVE NO COLONIES.
Senator Vest Introduces ResO luton
10 That Effect.
HE ALSO OPPOSES AMENDMENT TO
NAVIGATION LAWS.

/
Characterizes the Subsidies Proposed BY
President as vicious-The House Met
and Adjourned Without Transacting
Business.
Washington, December 6.-Ths first note
OF tho anti.expansionists was sounded in
the Senate today by Senator Vest of Mis-
souri,, who introduced joint resolution
| declaring that under the constitution the
| Federal government had no authority to
acquire colonial possessions to be gov
| erned as such; but that all territory ac-
quired by the government, except such as
may be necessary for use as ooaling sta
tions. correction of boundaries and SINH
lar purposes, may be acquired with the
purpose of organizing territories, ,Esuitable
ultimately for admission into the Union
as states MIR. Vest announced his pur-
pose to address the Senate on the rosolu-
| tion at an early date. A brief discussion
of the navigation laws was precipitated
| Dy sUnc I'll b Dlll dluoAulilEz
those laws by the addition of provision
that foreign built vessels. wrecked in the
United States, purchased by citizens of
this country and repaired to the extent
OF three-fourths OF their value, shall be
subject to forfeiture if they engage subse-
United States.
The credentials of Nelson w.
Aldrioh for new term as SEN
ator from Rhode Island for six
years from March 4 1899, were presented.
They were signed by Elisha Dyer,
governor, captain general and COM
mander-in-chtef of the State of Rhode
Island and Providence plantation"
Mr.. Pettigrew of South Dakota, offered
resolution which was adopted calling
upon the Secretary of the Interior for in
formation concerning the region south of
and adjoining the Yellowstone National
park and concerning the preservation of
the game in that region.
Mr.. Vest of Missouri offered the follow
ing joint resolution, which he asked
might lis on the table as he desired to
speak on it at an early day: ssThat under
the Constitution of the Unit ed States no
power is given to the federal government
to acquire territory to be held and gov
erned permanently as colonies. The
colonial system of European nations cam
not be established under our present con-
stitution, but all territory acq uired by
the government except such small amount
as may be necessary for coaling stations
correction of boundaries and similar gov
ermental purpose must be acquire ed and
governed with the purpose of ultimately
organizing such territory into states suit
able to admission into the union"
Consideration of bills on the calendar
was then taken up. Amendment reported
fayorably at the last session amending a
law favorably to the issuing of American
registry to foreign built ships wrecked in
the United States, purchased by citizens
OF the United States and repairs to the
extent of three-fourths of their value was
discussed. 1he bill provides that if such
a wrecked ship be employed in the coast
wise trade 1T shall be SUBJECT to forfeiture.
Mr.. Vest, member of the committee
of commerce, expressed his opposition to
the bill principally because 1T afforded
protection to the coastwise trade which
uOou0u ~ DEQuoCulOA. OiAoOA uAo PhCooAo
system of navigation laws this trade had
decreased from rs per cent to II per cent
and this country was now paying $780,
600, ,0o0 annually to foreign shipowners
for carrying trade that ought to be carried
in American bottoms.
This condition of affairs Mr.. Vest de.
clared, was s'a scandal and disgrace"
He said he had been amused at the sug-
gestiOn of the President made in his mes
sage that our carrying trade be en-
couraged by the payment OF subsidies.
sin other Words he said, sit is pro-
posed to substitute for the present vicious
system of navigation laws a scheme OF
subsidies that is even more vicious than
is the evil it proposes to remedy.
Under the proposed policy Of the adj
ministration.'' continued Dir. Vest, we
are to build great navy. We are to cease
to be a nation of traders and under the
impulse of the policy of expansion become
a nation of warriors. 1t would appear to
me to be better first to build up our
people, through the benetcient effects OF
such trade. buy where they can buy
cheapest
Mr.. Caffrey of Louisiana also a MEM
Der of the committee of commerce op-
posed the bill. Finally it was made a
special order for next Monday. After the
passage of some minor bills tbs Sena to
adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE,
Washington, December 6.-The House
was in session less than half an hour to-
day, when the deaths of. Representatives
Northway of Ohio, and Love of Missis-
sippi were announced and an adjourn
ment was taken until tomorrow out OF
respect to their memory. The customary
resolution for the distribution of the
Presidents message to the several COM
mittees having jurisdiction was adopted.
and the deficiency bill carrying the ap
preparations for the extraordinary ex-
penses of the army and navy from Janu-
ary to July /. 1899. was reported and
will be taken up by the House tomorrow
In the House today, Mr.. Dingley pre-
sented from the ways and means commit
tee resolution for the distribution of the
various topics treated in the Presidents
message to the several committees having
jurisdiction. 1t was adopted without
opposition.
Mr. Hay Democrat Of Virginia, mem
her of the committee on military affairs
frnr M M NcV