New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-22

M
ihuniues OF the Constitution could ha az ax,ardaa
~ Ho' ING constitution itself The Constttut,o,
-, states OF the Union Neither
ne argued. be created a State with
a., INC consent OF the people thereof The priv
ieees OF the constitution could not be conferred nm
or extended TO inch of terr,tor,, o..,s a.
Union OF States until the people Of the tarr,tor,
Aau zee" ieaiu from In the language of the Con-
on anu me decisions of the Supreme Court
'0 iiCo anu the philippines were the property
OF the United States, to be legslated for as Com
gress chose. 80 O'
MN bhOM WI ELL DEFINES HIS ATTITUDE.
MT Cromwell was the first Republican TO oppose
the bill on the floor He said +bot orl, = O. 49,
ago the President had informed the editor Of a
prominent Republican paper that he still stood by
ms recommendation in favor of free trade with
uei 10 RICO II ne had since changed his mind 1t
was his solemn duty to communicate his change Of
views 10 congress. Republicans should not be de-
pendent for their information as TO the Presidents
opinions on alleged private conversations and inter
views. lie announced that he would support the
substitute if 1t offered and If defeated rather
than not have any legislation he should vote for
the pending measure. This announcement drew
round OF applause from the Republican side It
created some surprise on the Democratic side,
where 1t was understood that Mr.. Cromwell in
tended to oppose the bill outright In conclusion
Mr.. Cromwell said:
If merely for the purpose Of proclaming your
sary to make any distinction in the tariff laws of
the two countries. let it be shown by modihca-
ton OF the internal revenue laws which shall
icVe rather than increase the burdens of the
If and This means much for the Puerto Ricans.
If they not treated fairly, if they conceive the
idea that they are being treated no better than
suspicion upon our professions of friendship, they
will be ready to cast off their allegiance and join
our foes whenever opportunity offers.
archcal Government may well claim might makes
right but how much more noble would it be for
this great free and liberty loving Republic to adopt
the motto, Right is mighty and must prevail"
MR. HENRY IN OPPOSITION
Mr.. Henry followed in opposition to the bill.
which he said was damnable than the laws,
enacted by the British Parliament against the peo
pie who inhabited the thirteen colonies prior to
1776. He asserted his belief that when the Presi-
dent recommended free trade with Puerto Rico he
did so because he knew the people of that island
were entitled to all the rights under the Constitu
ton with which the people OF the United States
endowed. Neither did he believe the Presi-
dent had changed his mind, matter what state
ments might be made the other side. He
charged that the change of base had occurred to
appease the sugar and tobacco interests Of this
country, which feared the effect of free imports
from Puerto Rico.
Mr.. Henry said the tobacco and sugar interests OF
various sections had been before the Insular Com
mittee in support of this bill Some of them said
he came from my State, but I'd see them
damned before l would yield the ground upon
which my ancestors achieved their independence.
democratic applauSe) Long may the Repupnc lVe
and speedily administer death the spirit of i'm
perialism."
ARGUMENT OF MR.. LONG.
Mr. Long a member of the Ways and Means
Committee closed the debate for the day with a
speech in favor of the bill. He said he a sup
porter Of the Administration, and he would not
knowingly oppose the wishes of the President. The
Ways and Means Committee had carefully consid-
cred the Presidents recommendation and had
framed bill raise revenue for the island. 1t was
a political question, and must be met now. Puerto
Rico was PROSTATE. Relief could come only by the
authorization of loan direct appropriation out
of the United States Treasury or the enactment of
a law TO raise revenue. The committee considered
that the last method preferable. Mr. Long said
in conclusion:
The acquisition of Puerto Rico and the Philip
pines has made 1t possible for this country in the
century of its existence TO extend Its trade
into f0reg lands Sd ab h6eoe % PRerh ON hs We
must make tariffs Puerto Rico and the Philip
pines suitable their conditions If this cannot be
done they will be burden, not benefit The
nations of the world have been assured that we
favor an "open door" policy in the Philippines and
being made TO establish the same pollcy
in China. This policy does not mean free trade IN
Philippines, but 1t means that the goods ana
ships of all nations shall be admitted on an equality
with those United States. But if the minority
s right, do nothing except extend the Gus
toms and laws to the islands, and absolute
free trade the result. Spain under the treaty Tor
ten wears can her goods and merchandise
there free Only there would be powerless to
place a tariff upon her goods coming from those
islands the United States. On the tate or TINS
bill depends the future policy OF the ADMINISTRATOR
in relation with Philippines and the Far East