The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-14

Nr. Turner addressed the Senate ycster-
day at the conclusion Of the routine morn
ing business on the subject OF the Porto
Rican bill. against which he made a long
legal and constitutional argument. The
bill now before the Senate was read by
clerk. and M. Turner. in beginning MS
speech declared that he is opposed TO both
its policy and fits provisions. He described
il as being so revolving in form and feat
ure that no person in the Republican party.
from the President down was willing 10
admit its paternity.
Yet" he said. FOR some reason or
other it is determined to give it the le-
eliminating effect OF adoption, and TO rec
ognize it as one OF the ofsprings OF the
Republican household. ! do not wonder
that some OF our friends on the other side
rise in protest against it, but they should
remember that they were warned what
the consequences and results would be
when they started out on the worldwide
career Of land grabbing and body-snatch-
ing in which the Republican party mas
been engaged for the last year and half
They were then warned that one OF two
things would result-eijher debauchinR the
labor. trade. and citizenship of this coun-
try. or debauchng its Constitution
An Attempt 10 Avert Evil.
THE bin which we have before us is an
sttempt 10 avert the first OF these evils by
Welding 10 the latter Of them. We on thts
side take no responsibility to ourselves
for the causes which have made this choice
Of evils necessary in the minds Of our Re
publican friends. While 1t VIII be charged
that the minority in Congress was IN favor
OF admitting the labor and the products or
the labor Of the undergrad and unceriea
people Of the Philippines into this country
10 compete with the intelligent. seli-re-
spectnF. highly paid labor Of this nation,
those who would fix the responsibility
where it properly belongs should remem-
her that we on this side. consistently op-
posed the acquisition Of those islands from
the beginning on the ground that il would
bring about the very result which our
Republican friends have now apparently
awakened TO FOR the first time, and when
they are endeavoring TO guard against
And let them remember also that in
opposing the abrogation Of the Consntu-
tion we do so in the light Of the fact
thar there is another alternative course I
that NAV be pursued to avert the evils |
ahroestiug and debauching the Consutu- 1
tiop. We have held that alternative out I
20 our friends continually and are willing |
10 ioln them in its adoption. II is plain /
and simple and both prudence and honor I
agree in urging its acceptance. Let the I
Filipinos go in peace; give them now 4
such assurances as viii Immediately re /
suit in q cessation of hostilities, main |
tain orderly government in the ISLANDS /
until the people themselves have been /
enabled 10 establish suitable and orderly |
government there: then serve notice on /
the world that their liberty ana independ- I
ence are under our protection. and with I
draw from the islands, reserving such I
portions OF them as may he necessary I
for naval. coaling and military stations. /
If the commercial interest must have /
its pound Of flesh make such treaties OF /
amity and commercial relations as their /
sense Of gratitude may prompt Them 10 I
make with us. and which viii secure 10 us 1
all the commercial advantages Of annex /
alton. without any Of its political burdens
and responsibilities"
Injustice TO Porto Rico.
Mr.. Turner said he thought the propo- |
sition OF the bill TO levy a tariff on com
merce between Porto Rico and other por- I
tons Of the United States was poor re- 1
turn FOR their ready acceptance o. our In !
situations on the part Of the Porto Ricans, |
and no amount OF sugar-coating could I
disguise Its evil smell or nauseating +
taste" Il was 10 his mind. a desperate 1
assault upon The liberties OF the people. 4
and no more rreposterous measure look /
ing 10 the granting OF power 10 Congress +.
had over been presented in either house 1
The evident purpose, he declared, was I
10 break down the system which had 4
stood Tho test Of l23 years. The bill was I
clearly unconstitutional and il was re-
pugnant TO every utterance Of the Su- I
preme Court bearing upon the subject II I
had been denounced as crime and as I'm
perious and vainglcrious, and Mr.. Turner 4
said ne did not believe We could main I
tain such a system as was proposed with ]
out its being reflected upon our own in /
stitutions He feared indeed. that irwas Z
one OF those innovations against which /
the fathers had warned the American ]
peorle and he considered il wise 10 stop !
and consider where we were drifting.
Mr.. Turner said he did not agree with /
Mr. Foraker that We have passed The law /
book stage" and he quoted numerous de- |
clsions OF the Supreme Court 10 sustain |
his position. which was that the Consitr- !
tiou must apply equally 10 all portions Of
the territory Of the United States. and that l
there could properly be no discrimination 1
In favor Of one section in the matter OF I
taxation or otherwise IN the Interest Of /
another section.
He then went on with a legal and con- |
rtitufional argument against the right 70 /
impose customs duties on the trade be- !
tween the United States and Porto Rico.
without finishing his speech Mr.. Turner
yielded 10 a motion 10 proceed 20 the con
alteration Of executive business.
Al the opening Of the session Mr. Frye
the President pro tempore appointed Dir.
Bard 70 the places on committees made
vacant by the following designations. Mr-
Kean from the Committee On Public
Lands Mr. Thurston. from the Committee
on Railroads, Nj simon. from ne Com
miftee on Potomac River Front Nj. Eos
ter from The Committee on Woman SUI
frage and Mr. We,more from the Commit
Tee on Manufactures
Mr.. Aliens Denial.
Mr.. Allen. rising 20 a question o. per
soual privilege. said he had been misrepre-
scented by he Washington correspondent; Of
q New York paper who had reported that
De lMr Allen) had abandoned the free
coinage % silver, and that he desired 10
make a public denial Of that statement.
Nothing that I ever said. he continued
could by any kind Of torture b. construed
Hs q lack Of faith tn my party platform.
which declares for the free and unlimited
coinage Of both gold and silver az 2 ratio OF
&c 70 o." He said that II there was any
subject on which he was sensitive it was
the one 20 which he had referred, and ne
declared that BE had clearly stated his
position 10 regard to ii during the present
session.
He read the official report OF The colo
49,.