Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1900-02-27
R|CO'S
GOVERNMENT
Congressman N8N|aRds Ad-
dresses The House On tle
Pc! ding Bill.

WASHINGTON, Feb 20.--When the
House went into Committee OF the
Whole today, Mr. Newlands OF Nevada,
a member OF the Ways and Means Com
mittee. took the hoor in opposition to
the Puerto Rican bill. -
Mr.. Newlands said in part:
.As the result of humanitarian war,
Exaggerated. not for conquest, but to
free Cuba from SPANS oppression the
United States finds itself in the unquaIi,
fled possession of Puerto Rico aud in the
dispute possession Of the Philippines
All these oppositions are under the
military power OF the United States
government. Congress is now called
upon to act, aud the questions are:
''First, what duty and good morals
require OF lis guarding these islands
second. what sel!-intersst prompts Us 10
do. aad third. where our constitutional
power is regarding these islands. Every
phase OF the obligation. duty and right
which could he presented To us by any
conquest OF territory is presented to rs
in the three classes OF acquisitions thus
secured
As to Puerto Rico, Mr.. Newlands
said that there existed no oomplica-
lions unless they we're created by the
nal administration OF Congress. Its
aroma was small, its people could be
easily absorbed; they were ready, willing
and eager to share with us the benefits
and burdens of our government; their
in lnstrial competition would not he
serious, even though they we're taken
inside the tariff wall Doubtless the
disposition of the dominant power was
tn establish there territorial form
of government aud to extend our Con-
.tiiuiion and our laws TO them. Their
fear was that "A precedent would be
established controlling our action re-
garding the Philippines later on, such
action embracing not simply one island
near the coast, easily governed, its people
friendly and peaceful but embracing an
archipelago of seyentee n hundred islands,
seven thousand miles distant, of diverse
races; speaking different languages. hav
ing different customs and ranging all
the way from absolute barbarism to
GENERALIZATION.
1t was evident, therefore, SO far rs
Puerto Rico was concf rned whatever
presents objections there might be upon
the part OF the dominant party to estab-
fishing freedom OF trade between that
island and the Union, such trade would
not be deferred. as apart from the I'M
portance of the constitutional questions
raised by discriminating tariff, which
doubtless would only be temporary,
it was evident that both the political
parties Of the country now were on
substantial agreement that Puerto
Rico should become part of the Union.
Mr.. Newlands said. however, that the
Republicans were losing sight of the
possibility that the unrest and dissatis
faction created by inequality Of laws
might make our problem of government
in Puerto Rico much more difficult than
it now seemed.
Whether these islands were to be re
garded as dependencies or territories,
freedom of trade, freedom Of migration
and equality of right and burden must
ba aef,l,l,,hal 9th "
Disseminated against would regard iteels
as aivictim of prejudice or self-interest.
The dominant party was desirous OF
preventing freedom OF migration and
free trade between this country and the
Philippine Islands. This was the senti-
ment of the entire country. There was
but one way to accomplish this under
the Constitution. and that was to de-
clare that they did not belong to the
United States and that the sovereignty.
of the United States would be exercised
in these islands only through their
! pacifcation and the establishment OF q
stable government and the final estab-
lishment of independent self-government
in the islands. Duty, interests aud con-
.iitutional obligations all point to this
Is correct course with reference to the
/ Philippines. As to Puerto Rico, our
luty was to Immediately incorporate
hat island in the Union as IA terIitor,
sith all its rights aud privileges under
/ he Constitution and the laws OF thi
country. Equality Of right and equalit,
II burden would render them satisfied
ai,ll onr scheme Of government and
md contented with tutelage which
would ultimately lead to representa-
ion in the Federal Government, Will.
discrimination :.of right and equality o.
burden would create never ending irrita
ion and opposition that would render t
,eaceable condition Of tutelage impos
sible.
Mr.. Newlands spoke for two hours
He was. literally applauded when h,
concluded.