The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-31

| sistance il they would. and have no dis
! position TO if they could, and must accept
and submit to whatever we may do We
| claim that our mission in Porto Rico was
/ to deliver that people from the thraldom
| of Spain. VIII not they in their hearts
| pray to be delivered from their deliver
| ers?
Blu. let us consider this question a mo-
ment from the lower plane Of mere policy.
! In the first place. honesty is the best
4 policy, as We shall find If we try the other
| way
Again, if this bill becomes a law II will
stand greatly in the way of the develop
ment OF that little island. Ii leaves the
I future in uncertainty, for if We levy a tax
of - per cent the next Congress may levy
/ a tax of 30 per cent. II We acopt free
/ trade, it will be accepted by everybody
4 as a definite policy toward Porto Rico
/ Business interests will know what TO de-
! pend upon. and capital and enterprise will
/ go there and soon change the deplorable
/ conditions now existing. UnceI tainty Will
1 paralyze industry.
But. il is not the effect of this meas
ure upon the people of Porto Rico which
/ constitutes the greatest objection to this
bill II is its effect upon ourselves. II is
| the injustice and unfairness Of our treat
| ment OF this helpless, dependent people
/ for which retribution Will surely come upon
/ us in some form. Our action must be
/ such as 10 appeal to the good sense, to
/ the highest sentiment. and the honest
| judgment of the American people, rather
| than to respond to the demands of pio-
| tected interests or special classes
Mr.. Proctor was followed by Mr.. Pettus.
His speech is referred to elsewhere.
The Morgan Amendment Rejected.
Upon its conclusion consideration of the
bill was proceeded with. the pending ques-
| ton being the amendment offered on
Thursday by Mr.. Morgan TO make the rate
Of exchange for the Porto Rican peso 81
instead of SO cents.
The amendment was rejected-yeas u,
nays 80.
The committee amendment (section 1O)
| to substitute American coins for Porto
Rican coins (retiring the peso at 60 centsl
was agreed to without division.
Mr.. Allen made a general argument
against the bill claiming that when Porto
Rico came into possession of the United
States her inhabitants became citizens of
4 the United States and were entitled TO all
| the rights, privileges, and immunities of
! citizens.
! He was asked by Mr. Spooner whether
| the people of the Philippine Islands were
also citizens of the United States.
! Yes" Mr.. Allen replied; but we do
\ not have TO keep them. Does the Senator
| from Wisconsin say that the people of
/ Porto Rico did not become citizens of the
| United States?"
The Senator from Wisconsin says" Mr..
Spooner replied, that in his opinion they
are not"
.'And what are they?" Mr.. Allen asked.
They are colonists." Air. Spooner re-
piled.
They owe allegiance. do they not?" Mr..
Allen persisted.
swer.
No" said Mr.. Allen, IAN alien cannot
owe allegiance to more than one Govern
ment. There can be no divided allegiance.
The idea chat there can be is another new
and startling heresy."
IAN alien residing in this country owes
qualified allegiance" said Mr.. SpoOner.
No" replied Mr.. Allen; The simply
owes the duty of obedience to law, but
that is not allegiance "
Mr.. Pettus moved to insert in place OF
section II, which applies to Porto Rico the
statutory law Of the United States, these
words: THE Constitution of the United
States and the laws not locally inapplica-
BILE shall have the same force and effect
in Porto Rico as in other parts of the
United States The motion was rejected
yeas g. nays 80. The vote was as fol-
lows:
Yeas-Allen, Bacon, Bale, Berry, Clay, Harris,
Heitteld, Jones' Of Arkansas. Kenuey, Money,
Morgan, Pettus, and Turley-lS,
Nays Baker, Carter, Chandler, Cullom. Davis,
Deboe, Depew, Fairbanks Foraker, Foster, Frye
Gallingor, Gear, Hale, Hanna, Hansbrough Haw-
ley, kean, Kyle. Lindsay, Lodge, Mcbride Nc
copas. Ncoumber. MeAiilr, Nelson, Perkins,