The Portland daily press., 1900-01-24

Both resolutions were accompanied BY
reports in their support.
Mr.. Pettiarew offered o resolution call
ing upon the President to send TO the
Senate the report of General J. O. Bate,
relating to the treaty with the sultan OF
Sulu.
Objection was made and the resolution
went over.
Mr.. Catfrey then presented three resoiu-
lions calling upon the President for 60 r
respondencs with Great Britain concern
ing the Clayton Bulwer treaty the oorre-
spondenoe with the Colombian govern
IN emit as to the Panama Canal and the
co rrespondencs with the new Panama
canal company of France. The resoiu-
tions were adopted. Mr. Jones OF ArSan-
sas asked that u speech recently delivered
In this city by former Governor Boutwell,
OF massachusetts on the Philippi mes. he
printed as a public document but Mr..
Aldrloh objected.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr..
Allen of Nebraska, calling upon the Sec
rotary of the Treasury for correspondence
with officials of the National City bank
Of New York con corning the transfer of
the old custom house wa5 adopted. Mr..
Tnruer of Washington concluded his
speech on the Philippine question begun
yesterd ay.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Turner's ad =
dress Mr.. Ross Of Vermont addressed ths
Senate on his resolution relating to the
Philippines.
In accordance with previous notice, Mr..
Ross, (Rep., W. claimed the recogni-
ton Of the chair to deliver speech on
the Philippine question. The text of his
argument was n resolution introduced by
him several days age, declaring that the
provisions Of the Constitution do not,
unaided by act Of Congress. extend over
Porto Rico and tile Philippines; that the
United States takes sovereignty over
Porto Rico and the Philippines unre-
strained by the prov OF the Consti-
tuition. and that the successful discharge
Of this duty demands the establishment
OF a separate department Of the Govern
ment TO take charge of all outlying de-
tendencies OF the United Stats and the
passage Of a general law making appoint
ments therein non- political.
BY the very nature Of the text, Mr.
Russ's argument was essentially legal
and constitutional disousson OF the quss-
I'll ons raised. This Was his first speesh Of
Importance since entering the Senate,
and was listened 10 with great interest
by members OF the Senate.
10 confined r. i'm self ClNsaiy IN his man.
uscript and spoke In n voics so low as. at
81 mes, to make 1t ditiicult 10 hear him.
He said he thought it wiser to give atten-
ton to present conditions with an earnest
d es Ire to reach a correct solution OF prob
Ia ms presented. than to criticize and find
fault.
Mr.. Ross said he did not propose TO dis
ouss what relations the United States
sustained to the islands, further than to
observe that tn 9 cedins power had i'm
Iossd no conditions, or reserved any
fiahts, defined and secured by the CON-
stitution, to the inhabitants Of those is
lands. They had not been guaranteed the
ri gifts of citizenship and, under the Con-
stitution could not be reRaTd ed as citizens
OF the United States. Only by act of
Congress could these rights be conferred
upon them.
In maintaining this point. Mr.. Ross
tied numerous decisions OF Federal
courts and other authorities bearing upon
1t. He quote literally also from other
treaties by which this country had ac-
quirsd additional territory.
The cession of sovereignty over
country by one nation TO another" he
said. affects only the political relation OF
the Inhabitants OF the oeded country and
makes them subjects thereafter of the
nation receiving the cession. Laws,
usages and municipal regulations, In
force at the time Of oession, remain In
force until changed by the new sover-
eighty. The Constitution, therefore.
cannot, of Its own inherent force, extend
itsslf over such territory"
MIR. Ross concluded. therefore. that the
Supreme Court had held properly that
Congress had plsnsry power in legislat-
Ing for territories, unless restrained by
the stipulations OF the treaty.
"Wbile under these views" sad Mr..
Ross, Congress enters upon the govern
ment of these dependencies unrestrai ned
by the PROVISIONS of the Constitution,
ne vsrtheless 1t will exercise this power
under the solemn obli yation Of general
duty TO be discharged faithfully land
honestly for ths highest welfare of their
Inhabitants and Of tbs Inhabitants Of the
natfOn."
He discussed caIetully the control
assumed by the United States over this
islsnd OF CUBA under the joint resolutions
OF Congress aud by the treaty Of Paris.
al think" said he, "the United States
upou the surrender Of sovereignty over