The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-23
SENATE.

the commissioners of the District of
Columbia for information as TO why
the law OF ongress relating TO tele-
phone charges had not been enforced
and practically was imperative. SEN
stor Hale said no law could be palmer
than lat passed by congress, yet the
vitality Of the measure had been strick-
en- out by some judge.
SeoAtsr Foraker had read the decis-
ion and said it was based on the broad
ground that the law amounted to the
taking OF property without due process
OF law, which was practical confisca-
ton was out of the power of
congress-.
A lively tilt occurred between Sena-
tor 1iilman, of South Carolina, and
senator Foraker The former inquired
now the constitution extended over
the District of Columbia, if, as had
been maintained, congress had plenary
power in the district.
Senator Foraker replied tina the con-
stltutioa extended over the district
"hen 1t was a part of Virginia and
Maryland and was never withdrawn
de maintained that congress had am
pie authority to extend or withhold
the constitution at will, over acquired
territory Once extended over terri
tory, congress was bound by it's limi-
tations.
The discussion of the constitutional
question involved took a vide range.
Senator Lindsay, of Kentucky, was in
cIlhed 10 the opinion, he said, that the
constitution could be extended or with
held from acquired territory. He ar
Sued that life, liberty and some other
rights guaranteed by the constitution
were ~pTe-eXisting rights and depended
upon no constitution, state or federal.
After further discussion the resOlu-
ton offered by Senator Hale was
adopted
The Hawaiian bill was Their taken
up Senator Cullom, of Illinois, in
charge of the Measure explained it's
proY,slens, section by section.
Senator Tillman was disposed to crit
icise the bill as indicated by his inter
ruptions Of Senator Cullom, because
property and educational qualifications
for voters and Office-holders were re-
sulred. as objections were
raise in this country to southern
states demanding similar qualifications
of their voters.
Senator Cullom said that as a means
OF protecting the interests of the is
land and their citizens from disorder
ano confusion the restricted suffrage
manifestation a been adopted. No
discrimination was shown against any
race or class of people in Hawaii.
Senstsr Cullom explained as a par
ucuiar reason for early action upon
the pending bill, that the bubonic
laSue had created a serious situation
in Hoaslulu. Thirty acres of the city
were burned by the authorities in order
TO prevent the spread of the plague.
BigAt thousand perSonS-homeleSS and
nearly " in quarantine and
were seiAg supported by the other cit
izeas OF Honolulu. The Hawaiian peo-
pie had made a strong appeal for the
enactment of legislation that would
give them the authority of a permanent
government and he hoped the measure
might Je given speedy, but thorough
consideration.
= shsEp discussion arose over the
light OF to establish in a ter
ritory a constitutional court of the
United States. No conclusion was
reached before the senate at 5:15 o'clock
p. m, held an executive session, and at
5:es o'clock p. m. adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
n debate upon the Porto Rican
tariff bill, which is to continue through
out the week and possibly longer,
opeacd in the house today. On all
hands it is agreed that this bill, al
though it applies only to Porto Rico,
involving, as it does, the question of
the power to govern over new posses
sions outside the limitations of the
constitution, is the most important
measure which will come before this
congress. Interest in the bill is intense
among the members on both sides, and
there is urgent demand for time. The
democrats are solidly arrayed against
the measure and they will have pow
erfuI support from the republican side
in Mr. Mccall, of Massachusetts, and
Mr.. Littlefield, of Maine, both able and
forceful debators. How far the re-
publican disaffection will extend OF
whether it Will endanger the bill it Is
impossible to say at this time.
Mr.. Payne, the floor leader of the
majority. refused to agree that a vote
shosid be taken upon a substitute tc
be offered by the minority. This sub
Stitute, which has not yet been fran,
ed. will be in substance the bill Origi.
nally introduced by Mr.. Payne, pro,
viding for free trade with Porto Rice
by the extension of the customs anC
revenue laws of the United States owe
the island.
The debat today lacked exciting fea.
lures. 1t was in the nature of a long.
range b~ombardment before the clasl
II the Contending forces in battle.
MI Payne opened with a general ar
-unent in support of the bill, gOins
LiTEeiy into the material side of the
-it5ation which the bill is designed Il
-Ii-ye.
Nj. Richardson. the democratic lead
az. Joined issue upon the power of con
-ress to enact the proposed Legislation
md Er. DaIZeIl. of Pennsylvania. back
III u Mr.. Payne with a constitutional
and legal argument
TIE bill to amend Sections S3S9-41 o
The Revised Statutes. whose chief OBJ
f5-t is 10 abolish small packages o
beer. the one-siXth and one-elghtl
barrels. was passed, after a debate Il
which Mr.. Sulzer. democrat. of New
York. charged it was a sop to ricl
brewers
Nir. Bartlett. democrat, of GeOrgia
said the humble asking of relief fror
wal taxes should first be heard: ali
Mr.. Terry. democrat. OF sal
secrat understanding with Grea
Britain made expression of sympath
fox the Beers by this government I'M
possible.
MIR. Payne, of New York, the noe
leader of the majority, then moved u
bo,sa To 90 into committee of tn
whole to consider the Porto Rica
tariff bill.
Pending that motion, Mr.. Payne OF
=n-al ~ rooIn q orrppmpnt ny WnlC