The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-02-20

and Of sovereign citizenship"
Mr.. Payne spoke an hour ana neh.
The Republicans gave him Q demonstra-
ton when he finished.
Mr.. Riohardson Of Tsnnessse. the leader
Of the minority. made the opening speech
in opposition to the measure. 81 am
not an alarmist," said he, "out In my
Judgment the pending bill Is more dan.
eerous to tire hbrties OF the people of
this republic than any measure before
seriously presented to the American
Congress. 1t will prove more far-resching
In its provisions and disastrous In lite
results that must OF necessity follow IL
1t should be enacted into law, than
any act ever presented by Congress. The
bill is framed upon the assumption that
Congress enters on the government OF
Porto kico unrestrained by the provis-
ions Of the contribution. This We deny.
Those of us who oppose this measure 4
believe without exception, maintain that
the bill cannot be enacted into Law with
out a total disregard and violation OF not
simply the spirit but the express letter OF
the constitution. The Louisiana terri
tory, Florida. Texas, California, New
Msxiop. Oregon and Alaska, have all
been acqirsd under our constitution with
out jar or strain to any Of Its wise ana
tene tiosnt.. provisions and without any
demand for its amendment. Every foot
OF this vast domain was acquired and
annexed under Democratic Presidents.
The Democratic party has always favored
proper expansion. Ibis is ,s not ss 2 meas.
tion Of the United States is extended 70
Porto kioo sx-proprio vigore or not, IL
rhust be admitted that legislation by
Con gross for the island ut once makes IL
q part Of the United states. II this bill
passes IL must follow that II 10 then q
Fart of the United states. This being
true. the proposition which this bill
carries fer unequal taxation Of tie is
land as o portion OF the United States Is
| the balGsst form Of Imperialism. In the
| former acquisition to which / have re-
fsrred no such measure as the pending
ore was ever proposed or deemed nsoss.
m srks tho dividing line between all for
mer acquisitions and that Of Porto Rico,
| II IL be conceded that the enactment OF
the proposed bill into law 10 required.
"Can we not In conformity to former
rules and regulations and laws which
controlled us In annexation OF territory
| do 60 now without violating our or ganio
law. If not. the argument 10 my mind
Is strong and perhaps upAnswerable that
s1oh Annsxations should not be made.
They will cost Us more II this be neces-
saiy. than they eau ever De worth.
"1his is a tax measure. All taxes are
burdens to be borne. They are borne
without murmur and without complaint,
II they are only equal and uniform In
| their burden.
1.-THE wisest clause in our constitution,
perhaps Ia that one which declares that
all taxes shall be uniform throughout the
United States. When they are unequal,
tho com piaints viii be long and loud and
will eventually rend US, and destroy the
| government
Mr.. Richardson then proceeded with an
exhaustive legal argument to prove that
the constitution extended over our new
possessions, quoting numerous decisions
Of the Supreme court In support CT his
contention.
"but evan II 1t be conceded that Con-
| gress has the power to legislste In ac-
oordsnce with the provisions Of the pend
ing bill" he continued, then the exer
ciss OF such power would he unwiss. II
no pass this bill 1t will DO an act OF bad
faith toward the people OF Porto Rico.
We are told that the Inhabitants OF that
island welcomed General Miles and the
armies Of the United States In July,
1898, when they invaded their territory
and struck down the power OF spain;
and confidently believed that as the
tyrannous shAokles Of spain were striok er
from them they were to be admitted tt
the immunities and blessings OF our lib
eral Institutions, as we'll a. our enltRht
ened civilization.
az knew 1t is in the power or diIoretior
OF the House to pass insasures directly
contrary to the decisions of the Supreme
court and also In open disregard Of tb'
ad vice Of the chief executive, neve rthe
lees, feel 1t Is my duty before suoh 40
tion is taken to bring to the minds and
attention OF members the decisions OF the
court and the advice OF the President
We have been fully Informed as to thu
painful conditions Of the people In Porst
Rico by the President. by the testimony
Of officers Of the government who hav'
been there and by the evidence Of numer
GUS witnesses who have testified as t
, these conditions before several co'a init
tees of this body.
"ShalI we not then do our plain duty
Let us vote down this most dan9erou.
, bill. am proud to be able to say tha
, In my opinion when the roll Is called OF
it's passage, not q solitary Democrats
! vote in this chamber viii be recorded II
its favor. All will stand by the Unior
, and the constitution"
MIR. Richardson spoke over an hour
} He was several times interrupted BY ap
plause from his side of the house. Til
. applause was especially vigorous wheu
he said that every Democratic vote woul'
! be cast against the bill. Whom he con
cluded, Mr.. Dalzell of Pennsylvania, sec
: ond ranking majority member OF tn
, ways and means committee. made a olos
legal and constitutional argument In sup
, port of tine contention Of the msjorit
, that the constitution did not extend owe
our new possessions.
"By the treaty with Spain,n said NJ
Dalzsll, i've acquired the Philippine
: and Porto Rico Attempting now for tn
first time to lssislate for one OF the Q
! new possessions, We are told. We m us
bs governed by one fixed, unyarylng sys
5 tenn; and that the system which apple
: to the Uni,ed States itself"
8 1t was an amazing proposit on. he said
involving three prominent features, fre'
trade, citizenship and navigation laws
1t would be better to let the Islands 60.
> Taking up the contention that upon
the acquisition of new territory, ths
. con stitution 10 extended there
; sx proprio vigors, Mr.. Dalzell told ho'
J Whippie and Webster met this very areu
0 ment In the case OF Florida. Webst
( and Whippls asked how the oonstitut!
: became of force in Florida. Thor elaine
/ that there was no principle In the law Q
{ pations which upon the act Of cessio
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