Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-03-23


bill was resumed in the Senate to-day,
Mr.. Morgan, of Ala bama, presenting a
speech dealing with some Of the con-
stitutional phases of the measure. He
maintained that, as the treaty Of Paris
was the supreme law Of the land, it was
impossible for the United States to
abandon either Porto Rico or the Phil
ippines. He held also, that the Con-
stitution extended to a certain extent,
at least, over the acquired territory and
that the inhabitants of Porto Rico were
citizens of the United States
Mr.. McComas, Of Maryland. repre-
senting majority Of the Committee on
Privileges and Elections presented a
report and resolution declaring Mr..
Scott, Of West Virginia, to be entitled
to his seat in the Senate. The resolu-
ton was placed on the calendar. Mr..
McComas stated that Mr. Pettus, Of
+ alabama, would present minority re-
port
The Porto Rican bill was reached in
the regular order of the calendar. Mr..
Morgan declared that resistance to
American authority in Cuba would be
as much rebellion as it is in the Philip
pines. The national power must con-
tinue to exist in all of the acquired
islands until Congress should legislate
in their regard.
THE world" he declared, must be
amused at our discussion of the uues-
ton whether the Philippines are part
of the United States, while we are vot-
ing armies, supplies and money to sup
press the insurrection Of one Of the
many tribes in those islands,"
Mr. Morgan said the question pre-
scented to the United States was four
fold:
l. Shall Congress provide a civil gov
eminent for the Islacl of Porto Rico?
2. Shall we leave the island to it's
present form of government?
3. Shall We abandon it and recognize
it's Independence?
4. Shall we suffer it to float out among
nations as derelict to be picked up Or
captured?
AS the islands acquired from Spain,
Mr.. Morgan maintained that the treaty
of Paris was the supreme law Of the
land. Referring to Cuba, he said:
THAT treaty requires us to occupy the
island. We cannot abandon Cuba with
out disgrace and without violating our
pledged faith to Spain. Nor can we
I
without inviting anarchy and interne-
cine war. Congress therefore should
provide schemes Of government for
them. The President would then gov
ern the islands until Congress should
otherwise provide. The inhabitants
of Porto Rico he said. ought to be
given as full citizenship as any native
inhabitants of country annexed hereto
fore. We have not debarred from citi-
territory annexed. Those who have
not chosen to retain their former allie
glance have become citizens of the
United States without regard to race
or any other condition. I believe If
Porto Rico is a foreign country we can
not pass laws to be enforced there"
Concerning the tax laws of Porto
Rico Mr.. Morgan maintained that Con-
gress should provide laws that should
be uniform throughout the United
States and Porto Rico. In conclusion
he said that no bounds to our territory
were set by the Constitution and no
limits were set to our expansion. He
welcomed the Philippines as a part Of
our territory because it might become
a new home for many colored people Of
the South; as a new market for Ameri-
can silver mines; as a new and great
American mart at Manila; and, too, as
an extension of the power and influence
Of the United States.
Mr.. Garter. of Montana, moved to re-
consider the vote by which q resolution
offered by Mr.. Sullivan was passed The
resolution provided that each Senator
other than the chairman of a standing
committee should be allowed a messen-
ger at a salary Of $1440 per annum. He
said the subject already was under con-
sideratiOn by a committee.
AT 4:45 p. m. the Senate adjourned.
WILL DESTROY JOHANNESBURG.
New York March 15.-Montagu White
confirms the rulpors that the Beers WAL
utterly destroy Johannesburg if forced to
do So Pretoria could not be defended, he
saws. if Johannesburg were permitted to
remain.
MRS. FRANCES HODGSON-BURNETT
MARRIED.
Washington, March 1.-THE Post to-
,oorroD, that a cahlepra nj