Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-03-01
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

Washington, Feb ia simple res
oluton OF inquiry Introduced in the
senate by Senator Hale (Maine) pre-
eipitated hours OF constitutional de-
bate by some OF the ablest constitu-
tional lawyers in that body on the au-
thority of congress at its pleasure to
extend or withhold the constitution to
territory acquired by the United States.
The bill providing for the government
.of Hawaii was then taken up. Senator
CullOm (lll), in charge OF the measu e,
explained its provisions section by
section. Senator Tillman was dis
posed to eriticise the bill be-
cause property and educational quail
hcatlons for voters and Office holders
were required, inasmuch as objections
were raised in this country to southern
states demanding similar qualifica-
tons Of their voters Mr. Cullom said
the matter had been con-
sidered most carefully by the
foreign relations committee
and as means of protecting the inter-
ests Of the islands and their citizens
from disorder and confusion, the re-
stricted suffrage qualifications had
been adopted. Mr. Cullom explained
as the particular reason for early ac-
tion upon the pending bill that the bu-
bonic plague had created serious Sit
uation in Honolulu Thirty acres of the
city were burned by the authorities in
order to prevent the spread OF the
plague. Eight thousand persons were
homeless and nearly naked were in
quarantine and being supported by the
other citizens of Honolulu The IA
waiian people had made a strong APP
peal for the enactment of legislation
that would give them the authority OF
permanent government. At the con-
clusion of Senator Cullom's statement,
sharp discussion arose over the right
of congress to establish in the terri
tory constitutional court OF the
United States No conclusion was
react a.
" Ishington, Feb 19-Mr. Richard
son, (dem., Tenn.,) introduced two res
olutions aimed at the sugard trust. The
first provides that Sugars manu-
factured by the American Sugar Re
finihg company of New Jersey, and all
other manufacturers in this country.
shall, after six months from the pas
sage of this act, be prohibited by the
Interstate commerce commission from
being transported in any manner
whatsoever, from one state to another
until said commission are satisfied the
sugars offered for interstate transport
tation have not yielded profit to the
manufacturers thereof. of more than
4 per cent. in excess of the cost of
same" The second provides that,
from and after the passage of this
resolution all kinds of sugars. molas-
aes and everything entering into the
manufacture of sugars, shall be admit
ted free of duty from Porto Rico,
Cuba and the Hawaiian islands"
The debate upon the Porto Rican
tariff bill. which is to continue
throughout the week and possibly
longer. opened and on all hands it is
agreed that this bill, although it APP
plies to Porto Rico. involving as it
does the question of the power to gov
crn our new possessions outside the
limitations of the constitution. is the
most important measure which will
come before this congress. Mr. Payne,
floor leader of the majority refused 10
agree that the vote should be taken
upon the substitute to be offered by the
minority. This substitute Will pro-
vide for free trade with Porto Rico Mr.
Payne opened with a general argu-
ment in support of the bill. Mr. Rich
ardson. democratic leader Joined issue
upon the power Of congress to
enact the proposed legislation
Applause from his side of
the house was especially vigorous
when he said every democratic vote
would be east against the bill. Mr..
Dalzel trep Pa, ranking majority
member of the ways and means com
mittee. followed in constitu-
tional argument in support Of
the contention of the majority that
the constitution did not extend 10 cover
our now possessions.
Washington Feb 20-rhe discus
sion of the Philippine question was re-
sumed for a time. Senator kennedy
(dem.. DELI speaking against the re-
tenion by the United States OF the
islands and urging that the Filipinus
be accorded the right to govern them
selves Consideration was resumed Of
the Hawaiian government BILL Some
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