Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-23

| lions raised. This was his first speech of
Importance since he entered the Senate, and
was listened to with great interest by mem
beers of the Senate.
He confined himself closely to his manu-
script and spoke in a voice so low as at
times, to make it difficult to hear him. He
said he thought it wiser to give attention
to present conditions, with an earnest de-
| sire to reach correct solution Of problems
presented, than to criticise and find fault
| Mr.. Ross said he did not propose to dis
cuss what relations the United States sus-
! tanned to the Islands, further than to OBJ
serve that the ceding power had imposed
no conditions, or reserved any rights, de-
| fired and secured by the Constitution to
the inhabitants of those islands. They had
not been guaranteed the rights of citizen
ship and, under the Constitution, could not
be regarded as citizens of the United States.
Only by act of Congress could these rights
be conferred upon them.
In maintaining this point Mr.. Ross cited
| numerous decisions of federal courts and
other authorities bearing upon 1t. He
quoted literally. also, from other treaties
by which this country had acquired addi-
tional territory.
The CessiOn of Sovereignty.
THE cession of sovereignty over a coun-
try by one nation to another he said, "af-
fects only the political relations to the in
habitants of the coded country and makes
them subjects thereafter of the nation
ceiving the cession. Laws, usages and mu-
nicipal regulations. In force at the time of
cesson, remain in force until changed by
the new sovereignty. The Constitution,
therefore, cannot. of its own inherent force,
l.extend itself over such territory
Mr. Ross concluded therefore, that the
Supreme Court had held properly that Con-
gress had plenary power in legislating for
territories, unless restrained by the stiDu-
lations of the treaty.
while under these views" said Mr.. Ross,
Congress enters upon the government of
these dependencies unrestrained by the pro-
visions of the Constitution, nevertheless it
will exercise this power under the solemn
obligation Of general duty to be dis
charged faithfully and honestly for the
highest welfare of their inhabitants and of
the inhabitants of the nation
Sovereignty Over Cuba.
He discussed carefully the control as
sumed by the United States over the Island
of Cuba, under the joint resolutions of Con-
gress and by the treaty of Paris. 81 think"
said he 1.-The United States, upon the sur
render of sovereignty over the island by
Spain, took sovereignty over the island, not
as her own, nor for her benefit, nor for the
people of the United States; but for the in
habitants of the island for the specified
and particular purpose of pacifcation Of
the island. We may say that pactication
means more than absence of a state of
! war; that 1t means until the inhabitants
have acquired a reliable, stable govern
provision for any return by such govern
ment, when established for the expendi-
lures and obligations incurred in proSecut-
ing the war and administering sovereignty.
Is the United States to receive such COM
pensation?"
He maintained that the Cubans ultimate
ly would have the right to arraign this ma
ton before the bar of nations to give an
account of its voluntarily assumed stew
ardship, in which many delicate questions
would be involved.
vnt Mr.
who earnestly urge that Congress should
| make a declaration that the nation holds
Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands un-
der the same underlined, yet, in a sense par
| ticular, duty. In my judgment. such
course is beset with complications and diff
ficulties. By adopting 1t the nation would
court these, and invite the inhabitants of
the islands to engender perplexing ques-
lions and entanglements
The Policy of the Flag.
1.-The flag of the nation has been placed
on these islands That is the emblem of
its policy and ever has been. The flag
| never did, and hope never may, represent
but one policy. That policy is individual
manhood, the right to enjoy religious and
| civil liberty, the right to stand protected
equally with every other man before the
| law in the enjoyment of freedom, of per
| sonal rights and of property. Let the flag.
as the representative of these principles be
planted and BECOME dominant on and over
/ every Island ana every lnhaD1tant, No
other no better, policy can be proclaimed
| In no other way can this Congress and ma
| ton discharge its duty to the people of the
United States and to the people of the is
| lands Congress should proclaim the policy
| by its acts and make no attempt-to do
| what 1t has no power to do-to pledge or
limit the actions OF future Congresses
Sufficient unto the day is the duty thereof.
! If these principles are enforced so far as
applicable to the government of these is
| lands, the inhabitants will be blessed.
| whether they consent thereto in advance
or not"
Need of a New Department.
Mr. Ross argued that the people of the
| islands manifestly were not prepared to en-
| ter upon the administration of such a gov
| eminent as the people Of this country had.
| He urged, therefore. that the first step to
| be taken by Congress in the discharge of
its duty to the islanders was to create a
department of the government charged
| with the duty of looking to the interests
| of the islands and Of supplying accurate
| information to Congress with reference tn
them. They should not, as now, be left in
charge of departments overloaded and over
worked.
Merit Instead of Spells System
1.-THE second STEP" said he us to remove
| all civil appointments in the islands from
| the realm of politics. The nation will ut
| terly fail in the discharge of its duty If the