The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-10

Mr.. Lindsay yesterday addressed the
Senate in opposition 70 the Porto Rican
bill in which be maintained that the ISL
and should enjoy free trade with the
United states He began with discussion
q the question Of an export duty, and ar
Kued that the provision OF the bill which
Ievies duty on articles shipped from the
United States is. In substance. an eXpor,
tax. and is therefore In coEtrayeution o.
the Constitution.
The passage OF the House bin TO tax
imports and exports between the United
States and Porto Rico. he said, has pro
voRed general condemnation by the peo-
ple OF the United states. They almost
universally demand that trade between the
United states and the Island OF Porto Rico
shall be unrestricted 10y any custom du-
ties whatever. and that we shall redeem
the good faith and The implied pledges OF
this country 10 the people Of that island.
The amendment reported by the Sen
ate Committee on the Pacific Islands and
Porto Rico as a substitute for the House
bill contains all the objectionable features
of that bin and makes provision for con-
dition Of affairs in Porto Rico absolutely
inconsistent with the supposed powers Of
this Government to interpose tariff taxa
ton on the trade between the Island Of
Porto Rico and the continental States and
Territories OF the United States"
The Meaning of Citizen"
Mr.. Lindsay then called attention to the
fact that the Senate bill declares that an
Porto Ricans who were Spanish subjects
shall be deemed citizens Of the United
States. and opposed the contention OF Mr..
Foraker that the word citizen as used
in the Treaty OF Paris. means merely that
the person so designated owes allegiance to
the Government.
Il 90 not claim" Mr. Lindsay con-
tinued. that We are under legal OF
constitutional obligations to make citi-
zens Of the people Of Porto Rico. In fact,
l do not believe that we are. But as we
have discretionary power in the premises.
] approve Of so much Of the substitute for
the House bill as provides that the Porto
Ricans shall be deemed and held TO be
citizens Of the United States. and ] oppose
the taxing features OF the bill and the
substitute. whether the Porto Ricans be
made citizens or not. II we intend 10 treat
them as the inhabitants of a dependency,
and 10 tax and govern them as such. ! in
sist that we cannot consistently declare
by Congressional enactment that they are
10 be deemed and held 10 be citizens OF the
United States.
I am not afraid 10 be just TO and liberal
and generous with the people Of this Amer
lean island on the ground that we may es-
tablish a precedent that can be used
against US when we come 10 determine the
civil rights and the political status OF the
Fiupinos. We need not make citizens OF
the Porto Ricans unless we deem il eXpe-
dient. but making them citizens viii place
us under no obligations. constitutional or
otherwise. to follow that course when We
come 10 legislate concerning the Tagals.
Malays etc, who inhsbit the islands OF
the Philippine archipelago.
Moreover. the Philippines while law
fully subject to our sovereign jurisdiction.
are not integral parts Of the United States.
and their inhabitants are not entitled to
claim tha; they can be governed only IN
der and in exact accordance with the Con-
stitution Of the United States.
The Relief Bic
1.-THE action Of the House OF Represen-
tatiyes in response to the message CT the
President. recommending that the s.. g95,-
455.SS collected in the way Of duties on
imports from Porto Rico since October Is. .
1885 be set apart 10 pay the expenses Of
the government Of Porto Rico. which will
doubtless be followed by the Senate.
leaves no excuse for the tariff taxation
proposed ut TINS OIL, ana the country VIII
not accept as sufficient she explanation
that these odious tariff provisions have no
greater or more commendable purpose
than that Of making a case for the Su-
preme Court in order that in advance Of
legislation IN respect to the Philippines
We may have the authority Of Congress
defined by that high tribunal and may
leEislate in accordance with what that
court may conclude TO be our legislative
power under the Constitution.
The President touched the popular
heart and commanded popular approval
when he said to Congress and to the coun-
try that our plain duty is TO abolish all
customs and tariffs between the United
States and Porto Rico, and give her prod
ucts free access TO our country and Il
Viii be a grave mistake, as well as an act
OF fragrant injustice for Congress to de-
cline TO respond 10 that recommendation
for the mere purpose Of making a case for
the Supreme Court Of the United States
the decision OF which cannot help but may
embarrass US in carrying out the only