The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-12
Sensational Declaration of Mr.. Lorimer. of Hi
nois, Upon Passage of the Puerto
Rican Bill
Columbia Shamelully Bedecked, May Lose the
Gem Which Is to Her What Virtue Is
to Noble Women

under which the house acted. One of the
most dramatic features of the debate was
the reading, by Mr. Richardson, minority
leader, Of the original opinion of Charles
e. Magoon, the legal adviser of the war
department, in favor of the view that the
constitution extend over Puerto Rico ex
proprie v1gore
Mr.. Dolliver Qo.), in reply, called Mr..
Magoon a clerk, who tried to overrule the
great lawyer at the head of the war de-
partment
Mr.. Warner QL), Crumpacker Qnd)
Mccall (Mass) and Lorimer Qll.), all Re-
publicans, made speeches against the mo-
ton to concur.
ARGUED AGAINST BILL.
Mr.. Jones Va.) followed on the Demo-
cratic side. He devoted himself principal
ly to the civil government features of the
bill. Replying to Mr.. Watsons inquiry as
to what the Democrats would do, he said
If they could they, would give to the in
habitants Of Puerto Rico a representative
free government, with the same rights.
privileges and immunities enjoyed by
every American citizen.
Mr.. Warner Qll) said the bill was a
breach of trust. 1t was more objection
able as it came back from the senate than
as it left the house. 1t would create a
righteous revolution.
The proposed measure, I submit" he
said in conclusion, 'is a dangerous de-
parture from the lifelong policy of the
united States, and If adopted no
one can tell what the result will
be- They cannot become a part of
us, as they cannot have any assurance Of
Chelr status or treatment. We might as
well write upon our borders: All. hope
abandon, ye who enter here With due
respect for the opinion of those from
Whom l differ he said, ''In my judg.
ment this house made a mistake in. mass,
ing the tariff feature of this bill, and
now, having the opportunity, it should
correct that mistake. In. my Judgment &
Is an oppression, and as a Republican I
snail vote against it in whatever shape
or company 1t Is submitted
MT. Crumpacker Qnd.), in the minute
allowed him, argued that the bill was
fundamentally wrong, contrary to thu
nlghest traditions Of the party to which
ne. belonged. The first platform of the
Republican patty, he said, declared that
the constitution carried political liberty
10 the people of the te~::tor!c.- as well as
the states and that declaration was as
true now as it was then.
CRISIS IN HISTORY.
Mr.. Lorimer QIl) delivered a ten-min-
ute speech in opposition to the bill which
ELECTED frequent applause from the on
position He said:
II am convinced that we can treat the
people Of Puerto Rico as we do the peo-
pie of New Mexico, Arizona CT Alaska.
without In any way affecting our in
dustry, progress and civilization And
the benefit will be mutual. Therefore. I
favor retaining the island and extending
to 1t all the rights and privileges of
American citizenship as enjoyed by the
people in our other territories and there
by keep the pledge made to the people of
the islands by Gen. Miles. The people
of the United States rightfully expect and
demand that this shall be done.
Mr.. Speaker" said he in conclusion,
Il think we have reached the crisis in
our history, 1 think we need a liberty
revival If we are true to ourselves we
must have 1t. If we are to be untrue
then the ultimate penalty will be disso-
luton of our republican institutions. A
nation which surTenders it's basic prin,
clpleS cannot survive / am not an
alaTmist; [ do not think the dissolution
will come in our day or generation, such
things work slowly. but they are IN
eVltapie. 1 doubt not that we will have
our day of grandeur that will eclipse that
of Ancient Rome.
Columbia, If shamefully bedecked with
the precious pearl of the Antilles and the
gems Of the Pacific and the Orient, may
excite for a time such alteration as is
won by richness and Voluptuousness
But the gem of liberty, which is to her
what virtue is to women, will have faded
before her peoples eyes. What can
make UP for that loss to these that
really love her, to those who look upon
her starry emblem as the symbol of God
given rights, and not as commercial
asset?"
Mr.. Payne, the Republican floor leader,
closed the debate with a vigorous speech
in which ne said he was ready to submit
the issue involved in the pending bill to
the common people Of the country.
THE proudest act of my life,' he said,
'is my connection with this bill from
start to finish" prolonged applause on
the Republican side.)
At 5 o'clock the house, under the terms
of the special order, proceeded to Vnte.
The roll call was followed with intense
interest. The only demonstrations oc-
CURED when Mr.. Henry c. Smith (Mich-l
voted no." and when the speaker di-
rected the clerk to call mis- name and
answered "aye," and when the speaker
announced the passage of the bill, yeas
161; nays, 1853; present and not voting, Ii,
the Republicans cheered for several min
utes.