The Afro-American advance. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1899-19??, 1900-02-10

the Til framed by the ways anu
means committee, imposing duties
equivalent to rs per cent. of the Amer
lean tariff on goods imported into
Porto Rico from the United States and
wee versa, were submitted to the house
Thursday. The republicans of the
committee, except Mr.. Mccall (Mass.),
agreed TO report in support of the bill,
devoting considerable portion of
their argument % sustaining the con-
tention that the clause of the constitu-
ton declaring that "all duties, imposts
and excuses shall be uniform through
out TIE United States" is not appli-
cable TO our new possessions which,
they say, are not United States terri
tory within the meaning of that dec
laration.
Republican In Opposition.
The democrats, together with Mr..
Newlands (Nev.). took the contrary
view. Mr. Mccall, dissenting repub-
lichn, practically holds with them. He
made a separate reports saying he can
not support the bill, because it does
not follow the ruic of uniformity pre-
scribed by the constitutional rule
which in my opinion governs congress
/ in legislation for the territories of the
| United States" Mr. Mccall is I'M
sparing in his denunciation of the
rolicy to which the bill will commit
the government, concluding his state
ment as follows:
81 recognize our full duty to do our ut
/ sI., e.lea Nf h "a
of our new possessions. But l regard 1t
as n most inauspicious omen that our first
! legislative act should be framed on the
1 theory that freedom does not follow the
| flag. Is It not clear that at the outset you
are paving the way for more hideous ex-
tortion and robbery than ever dlsgraced
/ Indiaf"
synopsis of Majority Report.
The majority report was submitted
by Chairman Payne. A synopsis fol-
| lows:
1t says the % per cent duty Is necessary
! 10 prevent United States manufacturers
/ OF spirits and cigars from being at a dis
advantage A considerable portion OF the
/ report Is devoted to a discussion OF the
1 crops OF Porto Rico and markets for them:
also the necessities for customs duties TO
keep up the revenues OF the island. The re-
port declares that the revenue laws 20 be
applied TO Porto Rico are absolutely within
| the power OF congress to determine. Dis
cussing the question; rs Porto Rico in
cluded within the meaning of the term
| United States in the constitution" the re-
port says:
Not Included.
THAT II Is not so included would seem
! apparent from a variety of considera ions.
| 1t must be recollected that the term Unit
| ed States has more than one meaning.
II means. In the first place the several
states respectively that constitute the fed
| eral union. II means. again. In geograph-
/ teal sense. all the territories over which
! the United States has Jurisdiction. just as
the British empire means all the component
parts OF the kingdom OF Great Britain. But
| II means In It's political sense that corpora
/ ton which is the result OF the federal union
and constitutes the United States a ma
| ton. II Is undoubtedly In this latter sense
that 1t Is used In the constitution"
Acquisition of Territory.
| Concerning the acquisition of territory
the report states: Subsequent 10 the ac-
QUESTION OF Louisiana the United States
has acquired territory IN number OF In
/ stances by virtue OF the treaty making
/ power II is 10 be observed that IN each
and all OF these cases, both by the terms
OF the respective treaties and by the leEis-
/ lation Of congress with respect TO the ac-
quired territory. the doctrines announced in
GphhtElloh Win the acquisition ana gov
eminent OF Louisiana have been rea Affirmed
In each and every case It has been
thought necessary. IN order TO modify the
otherwise unlimited powers OF congress.
20 make special provisions IN the treaties
BY which the territory was acquired.
Power of Congress UnIimited.
| 80 far rs legislation with respect 10
| these treaty-aCquired territories has been
had u is to be attributed 70 the guarantees
I -
/ the case Of territory acquired with no lin
itatIons upon the power OF congress It's
/ power Is absolute and exclusive. except Ia
so far az IL Is limited by the thirteenth
/ amendment 20 the constitution. which pro-
hibits the existence Of slavery In any place
over which the United States has lurisdlc-
| tIon. In the case OF Hawaii express reCog-
milton vas made OF the fact that its laws
would remain In force until action b. con.
EreEs.
Nowhere IL the distinction between
the United States as subject 10 cOnstitu-
tionai government more strikinRly Illus
| trated than IN the unbroken line Of deci-
| siona which In terms exclude territories
from one OF the main articles Of tbs con-
stttution."
Summary.
After citing many cases In support Of It's
contention the report concludes:
"FtFSt-That upon reason and authority
Il
contribution. has reference only 10 the
| states that constitute the federal union
ard does not include territories.
''Sscond-That the power Of conRrssa
with respect TO legislation for the terri
tories IL plenary
"ThiFd-That under that power congress
may prescribe different rates for duly for
Porto Rico from those prescribed for the
United States"
The Minority Report.
The minority report IS signed by
all the democratic members Of the
ways aud means COMMITTEES and Rep
resentatiye Sewiands. the silver mem
Der Of that COMMITTEES Ii says in
part:
The bill raises tsg6 qgeHttoss which
uuss De considered and defs rnined
| '+PfrNt TIE right Or pDwsr us4ar cor
written Constitution 20 enact he meaHure.
/ ''SeruAd~N hetBsf II - have the pJAeF
should congress szsrci2e IL IN The RAINIER
prossass is she blil.
The bis r. ffaHseS UpGH tire iasa ard
| fhe zaaamg Fften that esnsreks enters upon
| TIE gaserEfz ssn. % Porto RIG snrsss FaiHss
tby ths provisions - rs sonsf4ss.ffen.
1 "Ff the position taken - ffe HasDrisy
og tie cGmsslIgfes Fl reeDFbEasE1sstf z TIRE pas
sac o. she niE bs ne e9fftet sns ard con
rrssa has The power 20 govern territory Of
\ the United States tndspenssnt q tss unns
rd1aHFH4sEr.T sF Ia