New-York tribune., 1900-03-10
PUERTO RICAN DEBATE.
SENATOR LINDSAY TAKES ISSUE WITH
HIS PARTY ON THE CONSTITU-
TIONAL QUESTION.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCNE.l

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington, March 9-The powerful argu-
ment of Senator Lindsay to-day, in which he
took issue with his party in the House OF Repre-
sentatives on the doctrine espoused by IL
that the provisions Of the Constitution with all
their guarantees to the inhabitants of Puerto
Rico and the Philippines as citizens of the
United States In force in the islands
and have been ever since the ratification of the
Treaty of Paris. will challenge the attention
and command the respect of all the constitu-
tional lawyers, both in and out OF Congress,
whether they agree with him not. For eight
years Senator Lindsay sat the bench of the
Kentucky Court of Appeals. the last two years
as Chief Justice, and his argument to-day, both
in substance and manner of delivery, partook
of the characteristics of judicial decision. He
spoke with fulness of knowledge and thor
ough grasp of his subject, and his merciless
logic completely demolished the propositions
advanced by the Baileys and De Almonds in
the House, who spent weary days thrash!ng over
and over again the chaf of decisions which. as
the Senator convincingly showed, had no rela-
tion whatever to the subjects and conditions
which now confront the United States in deal
ing with the possessions acquired from Spain.
Senator Lindsay does not believe in the doc
trine OF the extension Of the Constitution of the
United States proprio vigore to them or TO
any other territory which may be thus acquired
hereafter. but neither does he believe that IL
Congress should grant to the inhabitants OF
Puerto Rico American citizenship. with all It's
rights. privileges and immunities. 1t would set
precedent which would bind or in any way ham
per its action in dealing with the Inhabitants
and government of the Philippine Archipelago.
He maintained also that while it would be safe.
expedent and just to confer American citizen
ship the Puerto Ricans it would never do to
t,,Sa
of the United States clothe It's inhabitants
with American citizenship.
MR.. LINDSAY FOR FREE TRADE
Senator Lindsay Will therefore vote for the
pending bill If it be amended so as to eliminate
the tariff provision, which he regards as oppres-
sive and unjust and calculated TO impose
heavier burdens OF taxation upon Puerto Rico
than Spain imposed. That is his sole objection
TO the measure, aside from his belief in the doc
trine theory of free trade in general. and he
will be likely to vote for Senator Davis's free
trade amendment
There is yet indication that the Senate
will adopt that any other free trade amend
ment.
Summing up his position with reference to the
difference between the Treaty of Paris and other
treaties by which the United States had acquired
territory. Senator Lindsay said:
The Treaty of Paris does not provide as have
other treaties. that the inhabitants OF the terri
be- Hhs a" of ke
or that their civil rights to be measured by the
to the deterInination OF Congress. The Asiatic
countries ceded by Spain cannot be Incorporated
to the rights OF citizenship We have therefore the
alternatives either to refuse the performance of
the duty which in, the estimation of the civilized
world we assumed by the acceptance OF the cession.
or else courageously to set about the task OF
giving 70 these people the best government they
capable of administering. / do not favor and do
not believe the American people favor, the perma-
nent holding of the Fipinos in state OF vassalage
but We do not hasten the day OF their national
enfranchisement by demanding for them rights
which their conditions make Il impossible for them
10 enjoy, or by charging them with duties they
are palpably unable TO perform.
and its people In the broadest spirit justice and
generosity without endangering our authority
the best interests of the United States and OF the
Philippines: on principles that will TO the
people or those islands national autonomy when
ever they may demonstrate their capacity and dis
position 20 preserve domestic order and to perform
the International obligations that must be assumed
SHOULD they become independent State.
We cannot forget that with the cession OF Puerto
enjoyed: that tariff la have been systematic,
Spain and Cuba which were once open e 20 Se
can only be reached now by the payment OF Spanish |
with Spain and Cuba and it ia now pronosed fo
deny her free Intercourse with the people OF tho
United States. We cannot afford to do this unjust
l shall vote to amend this bill SO as to make Il
Puerto Rico T' Va
reported from the Committee on Appropriations
toms dues exacted from the island OF Puerto
Rico from October 49, 1893, to January l 1900 ;
amounting to $2.095.455. and gave notice that
he would call up the measure tomorrow. He
hoped and believed it would lead to no extended
debate.