The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-16
REACHED FROM OPPOSITE STANDPOINTS
BYTW0 SENATORS.
BOTH OPPOSE PORTO RICO BILL
Senator Teller Maintains the Constitu-
tion Does Not Extend over the Island.
ment Cannot Hold Colonies - Under
the District of Columbia Bill Mem
bers of the House discuss Many
Subjects.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Washington March 1.-two argu-
ments were presented to the senate
today in which almost antipodal posi-
tions were taken by the two senators.
Senator Teller, of Colorado, in a brief
speech, maintained that the constitu-
ton could not extend over territory
acquired by the United States, while
Senator Turner, of Washington, eIabo-
rately contended that the constitution
embraced the acquired territory the
very moment the United States took
permanent possession of it. Senator
Teller held that this government could
make the outlying territory into states
or could hold it as colonies as il saw
fit; while Senator Turner maintained
that the United States could not hold
colonies or dependencies. Aside from
the constitutional question the two
senators were in practical agreement.
Both were opposed to the pending
Porto Rican bill and both objected to
any OF the insulay territory becoming
part of the United States or any of
it's inhabitants citizens of the United
States.
Senator Teller who expected to leave
for Cuba tonight, took the floor first.
In general way he announced he had
no doubt of the power of the govern
ment to govern the possessions it had
acquired. He declared he could find
ample authority for legislation rela-
tive to our insular possessions-author-
ity not derived from the constitution.
Il do not believe" said Senator Teller,
that the constitution is in force in
any OF our new possessions. Congress,
i believe, is supreme SO far as the max
ing of legislation for acquired territory
is concerned. OF course, in enacting
such legislation, congress is bound by
certain fundamental principles that
underiie this free government. After
a careful examination of all supreme
court authorities 1 have been able TO
find only one case that will support
the doctrine that the constitution goes
of its own vigor into the acquired ter
ritory."
He believed the making the acquir-
ed territories a part of the United
States was optional with congress and
that we have the same power as Great
Britain to hold colonial possessions.
He did not believe, however, that such
territory should be regarded and gov
erned as incipient states of the Union
Porto Rico might. he thought, be held
under the sovereignty of the United
States and the people, subject to our
dictatiOn, might make the laws of the
island and the United States might de-
termine what the inhabitants should
or should not do. He found no legal
difficulty in dealing either with the ac-
quired possessions or their inhabitants
It do not want to make Porto Rico
and the Philippines a part of the Unit
ed States and i do not want to make
their inhabitants citizens of the Unit
states, said Senator Teller. He added
that the relation he would establish
between the United States and the ac-
Qu1red territory was entirely consistent
with the history, traditions and prin-
ciples of this country. If he had time,
he believed he could prove that the
fathers of the country contemplated
the acquisition and the holding of CO.
lonies by the United States. IF any
body" he continued, can show a bet
ter way out of the trouble than the
holding of the possessions We have &C
quired I am willing to consider it.
II would a great deal rather make
Porto Rico and the Philippines colonies
or provinces than to make them states,
which would bring all their inhabitants
under the flag as citizens of the Unit
ed States. These islands are not a
part OF the United States today
Senator Turner then resumed his
discussion of the Porto Rican measure
citing more constitutional authorities
in support of the contention that the
constitution followed the flag into all
territories acquired by the United
States with the idea OF being held per-
manently. He challenged any Sena-
tor to produce a decision of the Su-
preme court holding it to be necessary
that the constitution should be extend
ed by act of congress over acquired ter
ritory or that the constitution did not
extend ex proprio vigore over such ter
ritory
In conclusion he declared the pend
ing bill was manifeStly unconStitution-
al. 1t was undemocratic, unrepublican
uranf hOriZp6 PNRrHjSa nf
over the inhabitants of Porto Rico. and
he thus warned the powers in the ma
jortity: Beware unless you betray
the hopes of the future in the exIgen-
cies of the present"
The senate then at p. m. adjourn
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
The time for general debate on the
District of Columbia appropriation
bill. which was taken in the house to-
day, was occupied by members in a
series of set speeches.
A resolution was adopted setting |
aside alternate Fridays, except such as |
are devoted under the rule adopted last |
week to pension legislation, for the |
consideration of private bills reported |
by the claims and war claims COM |
mittee. |
The house then went into committee |
Of the whole to consider the district ap- |
preparation bill on which general de- |
bate closed yesterday.
Ar Grout, in charge Of the Dill, |
made a general explanation OF its pro- |
visions. The bill carries Sc, ,60S77S.
MIR. Adamson. Of Georgia, took ad- |
vantage of the attitude permitting |
general debate to deliver a lengthy ar |
gument in favor of an isthmian canal. |
Mr.. Cowherd. of Missouri, in speech |
on the Philippine question, claimed |
that the advocates of imperialism were |
actuated by two Observation-Disclosures |
and commercial greed. He denied that |
jefferson was the father of modern |
expansion, quoting extensively from |