The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-09
THE PORTO RICAN TARIFF
IS DISCUSSED BY DEMOCRATIC
SPEAKERS AT MASONIC HALL.
Resolutions Denouncing the Tariff
Bill Are Adopted-Thc Speakers
All Condemn the Measure.

The Democratic mass meeting and love
feast held at Masonic Hall last night was
hardly up to expectations. The hall was
only about two-thirds full. There was not
much enthusiasm. The meeting was called
to order by Joseph E. Bell, assistant city
attorney, who said the meeting had been
called to give the citizens of Indianapolis
an opportunity of discussing public ques-
lions which were of vital importance.
Alonzo Green Smith was introduced as
chairman of the meeting and after thank
ing the meeting for the honor conferred
Upon him said ii was the first meeting Of
the kind ever held in Indiana. He said it
was the first time the people Of Indiana
had ever been called upon to make a pro-
test against the aggression OF a President
OF the United States who was attempting
to replace the Constitution with the arbi-
trary power of a dictator.
Said he: 1.-THE effort to lay a tax upon
Porto Rico announces the first danger to
our institutions since the acquisition of
that territory. Aside from the wrong that
such a tax implies, the precedent to be
established by that act is that the Con-
stitution is not a limitation upon the power
VI OOnSICSS Wntu lCSlSldlllS " lut 1cEIl-
tories.
A DISCARDED DOCTRINE.
The discarded doctrine OF a hundred
years ago that the Constitution did not
extend to the Territories has been resur-
rected purposely to pave the way to a
colonial system, the government of which
shall not be limited by the Constitution.
Thus it is commended that Congress, itself
the creature of the Constitution and pos
sessing no other power than that granted
by 1t. may exercise, when legislating for
the States. a power limited by the Con-
stitution, but when legislating for the Ter
ritories 1t shall exercise an extraordinary
power unknown to that instrument. How
long Will 1t be before the same Congress
VIII set aside the Constitution as to the
States and give the people a real taste of
arbitrary power?" In conclusion he said:
w still can restore to Porto Rico and the
philippines the liberty for which they have
been fighting for over a century, but If
we Keep them let 1t be that
their people. are citizens of the United States
under the Constitution. They are either citi-
zens or subjects. A nation, part citizen and
part subject. cannot exist. Gentlemen, the
question Is up to you, are you for the Re-
public or for the empire?"
A the conclusion of Mr.. Smiths address
the following resolutions were introduced
by John w. Hoffman and unanimously
adopted: Resolved, That we are opposed
TO the Porto Rican tariff bill. because 1t
Is a serious departure from right principles
and Is in direct violation of the provisions
OF the federal Constitution. We are In ia
vor of a constitutional government and
against the exercise of any authority by
Congress or the President over any terri
tory or people without constitutional limi-
tations and restraint"
MIR. BURKE TALKS.
Frank B. Burke was introduced as the
next speaker. He said that eternal vigil
lance was the price of liberty, and that
those who desired liberty, after once hav-
ing enjoyed it, were willing to die for it.
He said that when the conscience of the
public questioned the late war of agsres-
sion the administration said it was the
war of God, and that II remained for In
diana's Junior senator to exclaim that he
and his associates were trustees under God
for the extension of civilization. He said
this cry was not a new one. but that 1t had
been the history OF the world for tyrants
and arbitrary rulers, when there was no
other excuse, to lay the blame upon God.
/ He said the greatest calamity that had be-
fallen this country since the death of Lin
coin was the failure of the Republican
| party to nominate Harrison in 1896, for Ii
was a foregone conclusion that the Re-
publicans would elect their nominee, and
however the Democrats might differ with
4 Harrison on some questions they all knew
| that he was always an American before ne
| was a Republican. He said that Harrison
| believed in the Constitution and would
| have advised the present Congress that IL
| had nc power except that which was dele
gated to 1t by the Constitution. He said
the people should demand of Representa-
tive Overstreet his reason for voting for
the Porto Rican bill.
J. E. MCCULLOUGH HEARD.
]. E.. Mccullough, who succeeded Mr..
| Burke, said that If the people of the United
| States had not lost their patriotism they
/ would condemn the act of Congress In ig-
noring the Constitution at the very first
| opportunity. He said Mr.. Mckinley had
turned a complete somersault in his atti-
| tude coward the newly acquired territories,
| and he declared this had been brought
| about because the President was COM
| pleteiy dominated by the large trusts Of the
| country. He said under the Constitution
| the people of Porto Rico were just as much
| entitled to the protection OF the United
| States as was Indiana.
The last speaker introduced was City At
torney John w. Kern. He said the people
| of Indiana might expect to hear him a
good many times before next fall, as rs
was fuller of fight than ever before. He
said all honor was due 10 those who fought
for liberty, but great dishonor would at
tach to those who, under the stars and
str;nac atfamnted IN crush ont that liberty