The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-07
SENATE.

liz " " HA0 NNNb IL oAN NA1N 1
sion resolution offered by Senator
Vest, but did not confine himself to
that proposed declaration of policy. He
spoke for three hours, and through his
brilliant oratory, fine ability as a close
and astute reasoner, splendid qualities
as an advocate and adroitness u
cleverness at repartee, held the careful
attention of an unusually large num-
her of senators and a large audience in
the galleries.
At the opening of the session, Sena-
tor Chiffon, of Texas, presented the
credentials of Charles A. Culberson,
elect a senator from Texas for the
term of six W RS from March 4, 1899.
They were filed.
Sena tor Tillman, of South Carolina,
offered the following resolution, which
was adopted:
That the president be requested, if
not incompatible with the public in
terest, to inform the senate whether
any franchises or concessions OF any
character are being or have been gran
ted by any municipality in Cuba and
Porto Rico since the military occupa-
nation thereof by the United States; II
so, what they are, for what length OF
time and the authority by which they
have been granted.
At the conclusion Of the morning
business, Senator Spooner addressed
the senate. In the beginning, after a
brief statement of his reasons Tor
speaking at all he said:
Il find no objections, constitutional
" o~A,~1 +o Tho rotiHnqf10n al lie
pending treaty. If l held the view
that the United States could not within
it's constitutional limitations acquire
territory which was not to be erected
into states, l could not give my con-
sent to the acquisition of the Philippine
islands. This Philippine proposition
is one of the fruits of the War-to me
one of the bitter fruits. l can con-
ceiye of no circumstances under Whlch
I could give my consent to the admls-
sion of that archipelago as a state, or
as more than one state, OF the Amerl-
can union"
Senator Spooner then presented an
argument in contravention OF chlet
Justice Taney's decision in the Dred
Scott case, which, he said, was the
foundation of all the opposition to the
acquisition of territory by TINS govern
ment 'lnaL ueClS1Ou, hC Soiu'
ceased years ago to be referred to as
a correct Interpretation OF the law upon
this question"
Senator Spooner maintained that the
limited States undoubtedly had the
power as had previously been SHOWN
in the senate, to acquire territory be-
yond our own domain, and with that
power was coupled, Of course, the col
Io+Oro1 ~ tIOpitu tN Govern that tpTr1-
tory.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, called
Senator Spooner's attention to the
fact that the doctrine that the United
States had no power to acquire for
eign territory, except with the lnten-
ton of comforting statehood, did not
rest lone upon Justice Taney's decls-
ion. More than forty years before that
decision was promulgated Representa-
tive Quincy, in the house, had laid
down the same principle.
To this Senator Spooner maintained
that the doctrine laid down by Mr.
Quincy did not affect his argument and
he pointed out how impossible it was
that these dicta should be taken as a
permanent construction of the constl-
tuition. He knew, he said, of no reason
why territory and the people of a ter
ritory should not be governed by con-
gress.
Senator Tillman ~interrupting Senator
Spooner inquired: If We accept the
Philippines would the inhabitants OF
that territory lave the right to com
without hindrance to this country?'
Senator Spooner: Yes, for the
purpose Of my argument l am dis
posed to admit it."
Senator Tillman inquired whether
the inhabitants of a territory could be
prevented from entering the states.
Senator Spoonr said the senator
from Connecticut (Platt) was inclined
to believe they could be, but he him.
self dOubtd it.
Snator Tillman further along press.
ed his question as the right of the
Philippines to come here and declared
that by admitting the islands by treaty
10, 600, 900 people of that territory
could take the first ship for this coun-
try and upon arrival here could enter
into competition with American labor
That was the reason why he would
vote against the treaty.
Snator Spooner said he had no doubt
about the cOnstitutionality of the ces-
sion of the Philippines or Of our right
to accept them or of the presidents
authority to govern in those islands
until congress should provide a proper
government for them. Yet he could
see nothing Inconsistent in that to the
carrying to the inhabitants of the is
lands all the rights gained by the con-
~stitution. He then adverted to the stu.
alton on the islands before the war with
Spain and defended SPANS rights to
exercise sovereignty there.
' Snator Caffery, of Louisiana" Then
the longer tyranny is exercised in a