The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-03


constitution in the Philippines, for in
stance, and then later cede the islands
either 20 another nation or to the Fill
psnos themselves. II the constitution ex-
tended over the acquired territory auto
matically, that never could be coded away.
Can congress cede back the Gadsden
purchaser" inquired Pettus.
II think So" Spooner replied.
But" said Pettus. "it cannot cede away
Alabama. The widest Republican would
not go as far as that. The constitution is
in New Mexico, however"
1T is there only by statute" replied
Spooner But IL the constitution has gone
there of its own force congress would have
no power TO cede It back"
Lobbying for Free Trade.
An allusion being made further along to
the lobby, which spooner said was urging
free trade with Puerto Rico, Bacon sug-
gested
MIR. oxnard appeared before the COM
mittee."
Yes" retorted spooner. land did the
committee pay attention to him.
1T looks So" replied Bacon. THE COM
mittee did what he demanded"
THE Idea that the congress of the Uni
ted States can be Influenced to do injus-
tice to the people OF Puerto Rico" de-
clared Spooner, vehemently. by Mr.. OK
nard or by any protected interest, is a
libel on our institutions that ought not be
uttered here, and ought not TO find lodg-
ment anywhere. | want to repeat that
large and industrious lobby-and l say
what | KNOWS here endeavoring to in
duce congress to pass a free trade bill"
"a don't think" INTERCEPTED Bacon.
fartly, that anyone of that lobby has
deemed II to his interest to speak to any
senator on this side OF the chamber"
Foraker in charge OF the bill said OK
nard had appeared before the commit
tee. but since the day of his appearance
he tForaker) had not seen him.
In answer to a question by Turley as
to the source whence the revenue would
be derived under the pending bill, Spooner
said:
II say II comes from the sugar trust and
Its importers. or from the rich sugar pro-
ducers on the island. In either event II
Is right. 1t comes from the right spot
and II will go 10 the right spot"
Spooner concluded with an earnest ap-
peal for the passage of the measure.
Perkins Also supports II.
Perkins, one of the members of the COM
mittee which framed and reported the
pending bill. next addressed the senate in
support OF the measure He said Puerto
Rico had been thrust upon the United
States by the war with Spain. The GUS
toms and beliefs of the people were not
those OF Anglo-Sasons. They were not
Americans and could not become such
until they had passed through the stages
OF development which had elevated the
type of citizenship of the United States.
The United States was dealing with ques-
lions entirely different from those ever
heretofore presented Congress was called
upon to explain FOR a people foreign to
our institutions, and union with us could
come only after they had been American
tad S.if Nysarp ,at,f ND nlf
MIR, Perkins said. In conclusion, were in
separable They never would be qualified
for the one without ability for the other
The proposed tarin would tend to make
them self-supportIng. and he believed the
proposition was as fair as any that had
ever been suggested
simon Opposes IL.
In a brief speech following that OF Per-
kins, Simon declared that he should vote
against the pending measure. He did not
regard II as party measure, and while
he dislked TO separate from the majority
OF the Republican side of the chamber he
felt fully justified In his course. He was
assured however. he said the people of
oregon were entirely In accord with him
IN opposing the measure They were. he
said. earnestly In favor Of free trade be-
tween Puerto Rico and the United States
as a matter Of good faith He aid not
think the enactment OF the bill into law
would cause the loss OF the state 20 the
Republican party. but II there Is any one
act passed by this congress that will rem
Ger IL doubtful this Is the one"
Simon was proceeding TO elaborate when
he was interrupted by Foraker.
What single pledge or promise has been
made 90 the people of Puerto Rico which
Is not kept In this hue
Simon was about TO read what Gen
Miles had announced to the islanders in
his proclamation when Foraker took the
words out ~ his mouth. so 20 say. re-
marking that the pending measure was
perfectly IN line with the proclamation
Spoouvr called attention to the fact that
in any event, even II Gen Miles promises
had not been Kept hts proclamation was
in no sense binding upon congress
Simon took the ground that the pro
posed act WAS a serious party hlunder, as
well ~ a WRONG IN Itself He maintained
that the people o. the island were under
our fsg and therefore Il should not be
held Ter colonial exploitation. The asser-
ton OF oar power 10 levy the proposed
tariff was IN violation Of tscit but we'll
understood agreement with them. and he
could not therefore. give q his support
After brief executive session the sen
ate. at eB y m. adjourned unu II
o clock tomorrow.