The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-07
He OPPOSES EXPANSION
America Has No Power to Ac-
quire Colonies.
A POLICY OF DESPOTISM
Senator Caffery Makes a Constitutional
Argument Against Territorial Ag-
grandisement- God Set
the Bounds

Washington, Jan. 6.--Immediately
after the senate convened to-day the
resolution offered yesterday by Hoar.
Massachusetts, calling on the presi-
dent for information as to the instruc-
tions to the commissioners who nego-
tiated the treaty of Paris, together with
ali correspondence and reports relating
to their work, was laid before the sem
ate. Chairman Davis, one of the com
missioners, moved that it be referred
to the foreign relations committee, but
Hoar insisted the senate had as much
right to such information as the men,
bers of the foreign relations committee
and that the president should determine
whether the senate should have it. The
resolution was adopted in secret SEES
sion. In support of the resolution Of
fered some time ago by Vest, Mis-
souri,, in opposition to expansion CAT
ferry, Louisiana, delivered an extended
speech. AT the conclusion of Caffery's
argument Morgan, Alabama, an
nounced on behalf of the Nicaragua
canal of the acceptance in modified
form Of the amendments offered by
Berry before the holidays to the pend
ing canal bill. The amendments were
not passed upon by the senate.
AT 1925 the senate reconvened in open
session. Caffery then addressed the
Seudle On the JOlllC resolution OHeFeu
by Vest, declaring under the constitu-
ton of the United States no power is
given to acquire territory to be held and
be governed permanently as colonies.
Caffery'S speech was q constitutional
argument in support of the declarations
of the resolutions. He declared the reso-
luton went to the root of the question
of the power of the United States to es-
tablish permanent governments in ter
| ritories far distant from our own lands.
He proposed, he said, to institute in
curry into the basic principles of the
powers of this government.
He pointed out that the government
of the United States was formulated by
its founders on the idea that a social
and governmental fabric of their own
might be crystallzed into form of law
Caffery said that the sword and coun-
sells of Washington made him the savior
of his country; that his supreme pa
triotism and wisdom eminently quail
fed him to establish this government
He referred them to the sentence of
Jefferson, that governments only ac-
quire their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed: declared that the
principle announced in that sentence
marked Jefferson as greater than king,
prince or pOtentate.
I'VE have heard" he said, "some
startling doctrines as to the power of
ments in a foreign territory acquired
by the United States announced on this
! floor
He declared that these announced
| doctrines We're more arbitrary than any
| that had ever before been heard in the
| United States congress. He quoted
| from the speech of Plat, rep, Conn.,
| to which his address was an answer
| that part of the Connecticut senator
statement of the powers of the United
States, in which he maintained the
| right to acquire foreign territory was
without imitation and the power to es-
| establish government in such acquired
| territory was inherent.
| IF the argument advanced by the
senator from Connecticut be true and
/ sound said Gallery, then the individ-
ual rights of man are to be held by
the United States under a congressional
despotism. The constitution knows no
deepotism; it provides against despot-
| ism; but right here is a despot-
ism of the most fragrant character.
Mr.. Caffery then entered upon an
| elaborate argument to show that here
tofore it had been the unwavering poll
| cy of this government to obtain for the
governed their consent before the reins
of government were drawn about them.
Mr.. Caffery said even If we had the
right to incorporate these distant ISL
ands, inhabited by a strange people
into this country, the people of the
| United States could not exist in the
sub-tropics. The history of the world
shows that God has set the bounds
where the different peoples of the earth
shall abide.
when look at the conditions of tine
world, I am unalterably convinced that
no permanent sway can be held by the
white man over the black man in the
sub-tropics, except by a strong military
and crude despotism."
Mr.. Gallery concluded at 1925 p. m
| At the instance of Mr.. Hoar the house
bill to extend the powers and duties
of the commissioners of fish and fisher.
les SO as to include game birds an6
other wild birds useful to man. was
passed. the senate bill protecting sons
birds being added as an amendment.
Mr.. Morgan called up the Nicaragua
canal bill and explained the modifica
tons adopted by the committee to the
amendments offered by Mr.. Berry be.
fore the holidays. At the request o
Mr.. Morgan, the bill as modified and
amended, was ordered to be printed
At S:45 the senate went into executive
session and at 4.50 n m adjourned