The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-23
Leads North Carolina Dsilieg i'm eS Circulation

We are going to do it as rapidly as it
is possible TO do it, and in the mean
time We propose that every attribute of
the Constitution shall persuade Us TO
tleas these men with absolute fairness"
AGAINST DESPOTIC POWER.
n Mccall Mass. followed. ''If
Congress has the power to levy duties
over an area comprising territories, then
the rule Of uniformity applies 10 that
same area. This is III accordance with
the primary ruIes Of construction. But
the decisions Of the Supreme Court PUT
the matter above question" Citing
long line of decisions. he said II Congress
Is not bound by these limitations against
taxing unequally, it is not bound by any
limitation upon its power IL the Constl-
tuition. The case is conclusive so far
as judicial authority is concerned, and
when We regard the circumstances ont
Of which our Government and the Con
stitution sprang. the words of the taxing
power, the direct adjudication Of their
meaning. the long line of authorities
which deny the existence of absolute
power in Congress, it is clear that tbs
theory Of despotic power is absolutely
repugnant To our institutions
Calling attention to the fact that in
Porto Rico's case it was bloodlesS vic
tory for us, a case Of Il territory part
OF this continent and admitted 10 be-
within the natural radius of our political
action and OF great Importance 10 our
defence, be asked if they should become
victims Of our eXtorti0n.
\ WORSE MASTER THAN SPAIN.
How was Spain creating them; sci
fish, heartleSS. cruel Spain? At the time
of their deliyerance they had twelve rep
resentatiyeS and four senators in the
Spanish Cortes and helped, TO make the
laws for the whole Spanish empire. They
had 10 per cent duty upon goods pass
ing between the two countries and at
the end of the year 1898 that duty was
10 disappear They had almost complete
autonomy fer their own local affairs and
a million aud half in the treasury. Look
at the practical application Of our pro-
posed tariff Upon territory but little
larger than Rhode Island there are
crowded million people. The great
question with them Is the food que>-
ton. Upon many articles OF food our
duties are high. hut aS we are large
exporters the price j. not increased TO
our people. hut FIR every bag OF -four
and every barrel of pork that goes to
Porto Rico 20 per cent of these high
duties must he paid. Upon the impor-
tation Of rice absnc. | am told the duties
viii amount to nearly 100000 Il year.
l., this the feast Of liberty to which We
have invited those trusting people: There
-i.s~so safety IN departing from the con
st,tutioral rule"
TYRANNY FOR PORTO RICO.
Il do not care to see our flag emblazoIi
the principle of liberty nj home and ty-
ranny abroad | brand with all my en-
crey this hateful notion. bred somewhere
in the he3thenish receSses of Asia, that
one man may exercise absolute dominion
over another man. or one nation over
ancther nation That notion was resist
ed to the last extremity by the heroes
who fougEr at Bunker Hill and starved
at Valley Forge. 1t fell before the gleam-
ing ~ brc$ Of our troopers att Winchester
and Aldee. It was shot TO death by our
guns at Gettysburg and APPROXIMATION. y
half million men gave up their lives thar
their country might stand clothed III
the respondent robes of constitutional
liberty and that we might have Il gov
ernmr 1T Of laws 4sld not Of men fer every
man. beneath the shining folds of the
flag
Mr. Moody followed. He pointed out
that the bill in taking eff Scventy-fve
per cent OF tie regular duty On Porto
Rico conferred n privilege and adj
vantage en- the people of that island.
and their industry which would be a
hoon to any nation. Mr.. Moody declared
thar the ma.iclity proposed TO abide
by the spirit of the Constitution r8therC
than its letter.
At five O'Clock the House recessed
until eight o'clock
At the night session speeches were
made by Wilson, of South Carolina; Lew
is, Of Georgia. and Spieht Of Mississippi
in opposition to the bill. The session wa.
entirely without noteworthy inc d nts anl
at Q p. M. the House adjourned.