The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-20
He Does Not Believe, However, This
Government Is Bound TO Extend
the Constitution Over Porto Rico.
WILL SPEAK ON THURSDAY
WHEN HE WILL ADVOCATE ADOP-
TION OF HIS AMENDMENT.
House Refuses to Concur in Changes
Made I'm the Relief Bill-No Prog
ress by senate Committee.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March Ex-senator Bev-
eridge to-day came to the front with a
proposition to give free trade to Porto Rico.
this act to be coupled with the clause that
it must not be construed as extending the
Constitution or any part thereof over the
island. When the Senate opened to-day
Mr.. Beveridge offered the following substi-
tute for the tariff section of the Porte
Rican bill:
"All articles coming into the United
States from Porto Rico. or going into Porto
Rico from the United States. shall be ad-
mitted free of duty. but this act shall not
be construed as extending the Constitution
of the United States, any part thereof.
over Porto Rico. and il is hereby declared
that the Constitution of the United States
is not extended over Porto Rico
Senator Beveridge holds that the govern
ment of the United States is not bound
der the Constitution to extend the provi-
sions of that beneficent instrument over
any of our new insular possessions, but I'm
the case of Porto Rico he recognizes the
fact that its people have peculiar claims
for being taken into full national COM
munion. He holds. further. that the neces-
sity no longer exists for the passage OF the
House bill when Congress passes the ap-
preparation of 100000 proposed in the Sem
ate bill now in conference. When he of-
fered the amendment to-day II was supposed
the House would concur I'm the Senate ap-
preparation bill, but this expectation was
not fulfiIied. The senator bolisys.s that an
der the changed conditions to which his
amendment paves the way the House VIII
eventually give the Senate bill it's approval
This will relieve the Porto Ricans from
immediate distress.
Senator Beveridge takes the position fair
ly and squarely that the Constitution does
not follow the flag. Territorial expansion.
according to his view. must be made TO
conform to our Constitution and to the
times. The Constitution, as he sees it, is
merely of cur institutions. one OF the
demonstrations of a popular government,
and not the government itself. He an
nounces that on the great principles In
volved he is I'm entire harmony with the
| President and stands on the executive dec
laration In the December message TO Con-
| gress, wherein he takes stand for free
| trade with Porto Rico. He may differ
| somewhat as to the best method that
should be employed to reach this result,
but they both stand on the same platform.
MR.. BEvERIDGE'S STATEMENT.
In an interview to-day Mr.. Beveridgs.
| speaking OF his amendment said:
1--WE have followed the Presidents sug-
| gestions appropriating two million dollars
| for the immediate relief of Porto Rico
/ which is more than the House bill would
have given the island I'm the entire two
years of its life. This removed the reason
which members had for voting for the bill
| and restores to the position first an
nounced by the President. On the great
| principles involved are in entire har-
mony with the President. The object OF my
amendment is the same as that OF Senator
| Davis's amendment, but the latter extends
| all of the taxation and revenue provisions
| of the Constitution over Porto Rico. and
when any part OF the Constitution is ex-
| tended It is there forever. IL may be that
| experience will demonstrate that we shall
| want TO change the laws OF taxation OF
| Porto Rico. and IL so, fear that the ex-
tension OF the taxing provisions OF
| the Constitution would prevent Us. In
| all questions OF powers Congress should
be LEFT an absolutely free and unshackled
hand"
The Indiana senator has given notice
that he will deliver a speech next Thurs
| day on his amendment, and in this speech
he will endeavor to make IL plain to the
people that the President and the masses
of his party. and of all parties. are In ac-
cord on the vital issue. The speech will be
a lengthy one. and is expected to produce
an impression the country.
Owing to the absence OF Mr. Spooner the
Senate steering committee has not yet held
4 nd will f,oh holl
Ill his return. Members Of the committee.
| however, have been making a canvass of
the Senate TO see IL there can be found a
basis of agreement which Will be satisfac-
tory So far no great progress has been
made. The senators who announced them
selves as against the tariff portion OF the
bill have shown no inclination TO yield. The
introduction OF the amendment by Mr.. Bev-
eridge would indicate that that senator In
| tends TO vote for free trade. IL Is certain
| that a number of other Republicans are de-
termlned not 10 vote for the tariff although
the friends OF the measure say only five or
six will stand out when the final test
! comes. A statement was made by a senator
| to-day to the effect that n those who op-
posed the tariff could not be won over TO
the majority the majority would 20 over 10
them, but so far there is no disposition 10
abandon the tariff feature or the bill mani
tested by its friends. The prospects are
that any action will be delayed long as
possible. The tariff feature OF the bill win
not be separated from the government fef-
| lures at present. although Senator For
aker. having the bin In charge. win take
that action as soon as n Is apparent the
government bin can be passed and that