The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-20

means the lifting of a mortgage from
many a small plantation, better wages
for the laborers, more money in circula-
ton and greater general prosperity. Nor
will this bill injure any interest in the
United States. The American tobacco
grower need not fear the Importation of
this 100000 pounds of tobacco. 1t will
furnish a new market for the wrapper
which he produces and will bring him gain
instead of loss.
As to the Constitution.
But our constitutional power is ques-
toned. I find no case where the question
was directly involved or which is decis-
i've.
1T is now universally conceded that we
have the power to acquire territory by
conquest or by treaty. 1 find no limit in
the constitution to this power.
I'm respect to Porto Rico we are not
hampered by treaty stipuations by act
of Congress. We have absolute power.
But now the opposition say this is i'm
perialism. You are but re-echoing the cry
of the opposition of a hundred years ago.
Still the majority moved on and the
course. The territory of Louisiana
in the plenary powers given
to the President survived and
f1ourished until 1872, when part of it was
organized into the territory of Missouri
with a Legislature at that late day COM
DOSeu VI ltSlSldllNS COUNCIL, appointed
by the President and an assembly elect
ed by the people. Here again we had inn
perialism, but the fathers wisely waited
until this people were fit for self-govern-
ment before they extended the limitations
and the privileges of the constitution 10
them. The same is true of the territory of
Florida. Only year and half ago Con-
gress, by a two-thirds vote in the House
and a two-thirds vote in the Senate, an
nexed Hawaii by an act modelled after the
Florida and Louisiana acts. The debate
was strong and furious. but, according to
my recollections, no gentleman in the op-
position raised the cry of Imperialism.
"As for the people of Porto Rico
would move as fast as their own good will
warrant. Keep them all under leading
strings until you have educated them up
to the full stature of American manhood
and then crown them with the glory of
American citizenship. In the meantime
give them all the rights accorded to our
own people under the constitution, con-
sistent with their best interests and hap
pness.
What shall we do with the Philippines?
First, stamp out insurrection and re-
store law and order Then investigate and
legislate with caution, always remember
ing their welfare and our own"
Dangerous, Says Richardson.
Mr. Richardson of Tennessee the leader
of the minority, made the opening argu-
ment in opposition to the measure.
81 am not an alarmist," said he, 'Vbut
in my judgment the pending bill is more
dangerous TO che liberties of the people
of this republic than any meas
ure before seriously presented TO
the American Congress. It will prove
more far-reaching in its provisions and
| disastrous in the results that must of
necessity follow, if it should be enacted
into law, than any act ever passed by
| Congress.
1.-The bill is framed upon the idea and
| assumption that Congress enters upon the
| government of Porto Rico unrestrained by
| the provisions of the constitution. This
we deny. Those of us who oppose this
| measure, l believe, without exception
maintain that the bill cannot be enacted
into law without a total disregard and
violation of not simply the spirit, but the
| express letter of the constitution. The
| Louisiana territory, Florida, Texas, Cali
fornia, New Mexico, Oregon and Alaska
| have all been acquired under our consti-
tuition without jar or strain to any OF
| It's wise and beneticent provisions, and
| without any demand for its amendment
Every foot of this vast domain was ac-
quired and annexed under Democratic
| Presidents.
''The Democratic party has always fav-
ored proper expansion. Those of us OPP
| posing this measure are not basing our
opposition 90 ii on the ground that it is
| a measure of expansion. This is not a
measure of expansion. Legislation by
| Congress for the island at once makes it
a part of the United States. If this bill
passes it must follow that it is then a
| part of the United States. This being
| true, the proposition which this bill car
ries for unequal taxation of the island as
a portion of the United States is the bald
| est form of imperialism. The opposition
! to this bill plants itself upon this ground
! The measure is imperialism itself. In the
| former acquisitions TO which have re-
| ferred. no such measure as the pending
| one was ever proposed, or deemed neces-
sary.''
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 of his
| contention. He said the passage of the
| bill would be an act of bad faith to the
| Porto Ricans.
| Let US" he appealed, vote down this
most dangerous bill In my opinion not
| solitary Democratic vote in this chamber
will be recorded in its favor All will
stand by the Union and the constitution"
MIR. DaIzeIrs Views.
Mr. Dalzel of Pennsylvania, second
ranking majority member OF the Ways
| and Means Committee, made close legal
and constitutional argument in support
of he contention of the majority that the
| constitution did not extend over our new
| possessions.
Mr.. Dalzell expressed his opposition 10
| free trade with Porto Rico just at this
| time. No one could say what her indus
| tries were going 70 be. nor how they woul1
affect our people. If we must have free