The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-31
PETTUS SETS THE
SENATE CACKL|AG
It Holds Its Sides, But He
Smileth Not.
DEEP MEANING IN HIS FUN
Porto Rico Must Be Governed Under
the Constitution.
DEEP MEANING IN HIS FUN
Mr.. GALuNaER'S KNOWLEDGE OF LAW
Pettus Compares il to the ScripturaI Knowledge
Of Preacher About Whom He Tells
ludicrous Story. He Makes Game
Of Beyeridge.
(By The Associated Press

Washington, March 30-Merriment
swept away the traditional dignity of the
Senate today. Staid sticklers for Sena-
torial decorum, literally held their sides
and shouted with laughter, while the
crowded galleries joined in the laughing
tumult which not the faintesr elort was
made to restrain. Senator pettus (Ala.),
the Oldest member of the cody :. is age
being only q few months short OF four
score years-delivered the finest speech
heard within the Senate chamber j., many
years 1t sparkled with wit and bub-
bied over the humor. Its sarcasm vas
keen, but not bitter; and even those who
were the victims of it could lot but en-
joy its perfect good humor and lnalloyei
fun. Throughout it all. Mr.. PettuS was
as solemn a il he were delivering u +un-
eral Grafton.
Mr. Proctor (Rep. Va), delivered
forceful argument in support Of fiee trade
with the Island of Porto Rico. Cons der.
able progress was made with the Porto
Rican measures during the day, most of
the committee amendments and several
offered by Senators being disposed OF. Mr..
Depew On. Y.) and Mr.. Spooner iW.sD,
gave notice they would speak on Monda'
on the Porto Rican Bill Consideration
of the Porto Rican Bill was thea resun-
ed and Mr.. Proctor spoke. He approved
the civil government feature Of The pend
ing bill and regretted that, On account
of the tariff provision he could not vote
for it. AS to the free trade proposition
creating a precedent for the Philippines
and Cuba, he said it will be time to cross
these rivers when we reach them and be
predicted the crossing then would not be
difficult. Congress, he said, is d creature
of the Constitution and not the reverse
Continuing, Mr.. Proctor said:
Continuing, Mr. Proctor said
We levy this tribute upon people who
are in the direst poverty and distress, re-
sulting in large part from our very
action in taking possession of their island
and destroying the existing markets for
their products and opening no other, and
to this is added, by the hand of the Al
mighty, the terrible destruction of tho
tornado. If this bill becomes a law, it
will stand greatly in the way of the de-
velopment of that little island. IT leaves
the future in uncertainty for if We lew
tax of 15 per cent, the next Congress
may levy a tax of so per cent. "a We
adopt free trade it will be accepted By
everybody as definite polI< towards
Porto Rico Capital and e1terpriso VIII
go there freely but unccrtainty will para
lyze industry
Mr.. Pettus ther spoke, first discussing
constitutional Ryatures of the measure.
1--WE are governed he said, .'in our
relations VIII these territories by the law
of matte S SO far as they are applicable.
The iaea is that when territory is ceded
to nation that nation cannot necessari-
" exercise the powers of it's former Owe
RS. 1t must exercise sway in accord
ance with its own limitations. When VIC
took these islands we took them with the
limitations of exercising only such power
over them as was possible in the .crsdi-
lions of the United States
From this time forward Mr.. Fettls'
speech was personal in it's application.
Il was very much entertained by the
Senator from New Hampshire (Mr. Gal
linger) yesterday" he said, when he in
formed us, that he was not lawyer, and