Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-23
ANOTHER REPUBLICAN.

MI. Mccall, Of Massachusetts. fol-
lowed. IF Congress has the power to
levy duties over an arcn comprising
territories. then the rule of uniformity
applies 10 that same area. This Is In
accordance With the primary rules OF
construction. But the decisions of the
Supreme Court put the matter above
question:"
Citing al long line Of decisions. he said
If Congress is not bound by these liml-
tations against taxing uneQually, II is
not bound by any limitation upon it's
power in the constitution. The case is
conclusive so far as judicial authority
Is concerned. and when we regard the
circumstances out Of which our gov
eminent and the constitution sprang,
the words Of tho taxing power the
direct adjudication Of their meaning
the long line Of authorities which deny
TIE existence of absolute power in Con-
grcss, II is clear that the theory of
dcSpot!c power is absolutely repugna MT
To our institutions.
Calling attention tn the fact that.
In Porto Ttico's case it was n bloodless
victory for us, II case OF territory n
part of this continent, and admitted to
be within the natural radius OF our
political action and of greatimportance
to our defence. he asked If they should
become victims OF our taxation.
How was Spain treating them; sell
nsh' heartieSS, cruel Spain? At the
time of their deiverance they had
twelve Representatives and four Sena-
tors In the Spanish Cortcs. and helped
to make the laws for the whole Spanish
empire. They had 10 per cent. duty
upon goods passing between the two
countries. and at the end of the year
1898 that duty was to disappear. They
had almost complete autonomy for their
own local affairs. and a million and a
half in the treasury. Look at the prac-
ticai application of our proposed tariff.
Upon a territory but little larger than
Rhode Island there are crowded II mil
lion people. The great question with
them is the food question. Upon many
articles of food our duties are high. bur
as we are large exporters the price is
not increased to our people, but for
every bag of flour. and every barrel OF
pork that goes to Porto Rico 81 per
cent Of these high duties must be paid.
Upon the importation of rice alone. 7
am told the duties will amount to
nearly 100000 year. Is this the feast
OF liberty to which we have invited
those trusting people? There is no
safety in departing from the constitu
tional rule.
II do not care TO sec our flag en-
blaZon the principle of liberty at home
and tyranny abroad. I brand with NIL
my energy this hateful notion, bred
of Asia that one man may exercise
absolute dominion over another man.
or one nation over another nation Thar
notion was resisted to the last extrem-
ity Dy the heroes. who fought Mt Bunk
or Hill and starved nj Valley Forge. II
fell before tho cleaning sabres of our
troopers at Winchester and Aldee. 1t
was shot TO death by our guns at Get
tysburg and Appomattox. y half mil
lion men gave up their lives that their
country might stand clothed in the re-
splendent robes OF constitutional liber-
ty, ana that we might have 81 govern
ment of laws and not OF men. for every
man. beneath the shining folds of the
flag
, Mr. Moody. following, pointed out
that the bill. in taking off seventy five
rer cent. of the regular duty on Porto
Rico goods. conceded privilege and
advantage to the people OF that Island
and their industry. which would be
hcor to any nation
Mr.. Moody declared that the majority
Continued IN paoe e