The sun., 1900-03-30
THEWORK CONGRESS-
Senator Beveridge Speaks on the
Porto Rican Bill.
rs IN FAVOR OF FREE TRADE.
Declares That the Pending Problem
Involves the Power and Progress
of the Republic Through
out the Future.

Washington, March 29.-The confer
ence report on the diplomatic consular
appropriation bill was agreed to by the
senate soon after it convened Consid-
Grafton of the Porto Rican tariff and
government bill was then resumed.
Mr.. Beveridge Qnd.) addressed the
senate in support of the proposition for
free trade between the United States
and the island of Porto Rice. Mr.. Bev-
cridge opened his argument with a strong
declaration of the right of congress, un-
der the constitution, to deal with the
newly acquired islands as their different
conditions and changing needs demanded.
Mr.. Bevcridge took broad grounds. He
said the issue joined in this debate in,
vel cd the power and progress OF the re-
public throughout all its future. If con-
grcss had not free hand in dealing with
new territory, he said, il might be im-
possible to hold such territory. To treat
Porto Rico as we treat Hawaii and TO
| deal with Hawaii as we deal with the
| Philippines and to apply to all without
delay the same fixed formula of laws
which custom and the intention of state
hood had prescribed for the territories
from which our states We're formed, he
declared to be proposition as mad as it
was novel.
Mr.. Bcvcridgc then discussed at CON
| siderable length the constitutional phases
of the question and said:
"Thc principle of the free hand, of the
liberty of our common sense, of the dis
cretiom of our best thought means that
| III Porto Rico we may adopt free trade If
that is hest: in the Philippines tariff if
that is best; in Hawaii a territorial form
Of government, if that is best. as the sit
uation of each possession and the welfare
of its people and the people of the United
States may suggest. And there is no
business in the world that would not run
into bankruptcy on any other plan.
"Not Only "A Matter of Duty"
"Rcciprocity with Porto Rico is not
only a matter of duty; il is a measure OF
economic wisdom. 1t Is the reciprocity
for which the great statesmen of the re-
public have planned and toied. And il
is reciprocity not with a foreign country
but with our own possession. 1t is q
reciprocity of nature. Porto Rican prod
ucts supply what we need and cannot SC
well produce; we supply what Porto Rice
needs and cannot as well produce. 1t is
reciprocity decreed by natural laws C
which our acts must in the end conform.
'rhe reciprocity recommended by ths
president in his first message gives us al
experiment in colonial administration
right at the outset, that is absolutely in
valuable and that will not occur again
. an experiment that cannot injure us, and
yet reveals all the results of reciprocal
exchange of products between us and oul
own possessions as completely as if tina
course had been pursued as to all.
"Great and fatcful as this reason is
there is another charged with yet NOR,
destiny determining consequences. Il
is the effect of our action on the Latin
American-the Spanish h-.American--mind
over which our influence has been grow
ing for quarter of IL century and whicl
the welfare Of the republic requires slal
: become dominant and controlling. 1t ha
been the dream of American Statesmen
for thrce-quarters of century to max
the great republic the friend and pro
tector of the weaker South American
republics. until finally the colorS of on
flag might intcrtwne with theirs, tn
: symbol OF mutual trust, mutual affection
mutual trade, mutual prosperity an,
mutual defense. Into deeds this grca
thought has gradually grown. as all vita
thoughts do grow, and must, until Pan
American congresses actually convcn
beneath the stars and stripes and III
bureau of American republics is Il par
of the machinery of our progressive gov
crnmcnt.
This great advantage. this long foster
; cd influence in South America. We pro
pose to foster still We have appropriat
cd the S2,000,000 ready money suggestc
by the president. We will adopt a civi
government and reciprocal trade. An
thus. by. n generosity without precedent
VIZ establish forever our friendship wit
all Latin-America, which Republican
statesmen have so long, so patiently an
so painfully been erecting. We heed tn
past. we open our eyes to the future. W
accept the lamp for our feet which God
great goodness has given u.s.