New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-28
tonight said he felt confident the bill would
be passed by seven TO nine majority.
THE DEBATE IN DETAIL.

Mr. CLAYTON of Alabama who followed Mr. Car
mack created much amusement by reading a let
ter written by Chairman Payne TO w. H. Curtis,
Of Palmyra, n. Y. on January "A. in which he
advocated free trade with Puerto Rico on the
ground that would give relief 10 the stricken
island. The letter also contained the following
reference the Philippines:
Under the treaty the Philippine Islands are u to
have free trade with Spain for ten years we
could extend these tariff laws TO the Philippine
Islands. IL would
NJ CLAYTON asked that this letter and
tract from Mr. Payne's speech in support of the
bill be printed in parallel columns in THE Rec
ord"
Mr. Payne >miIingIy assented to the request, and
expressed the hope that there would be no objec-
ton Mr. Kleherg. OF Texas and Mr.. Pearce, OF
Tennessee, also opposed the bill
Mr. De Almond Of Missouri. said this bill pro-
posed 10 set aside the Constitution, not for the
p,,rpose OF doing something phIanthropic. but in
the interest OF the partial complete ensaVenent
of a helpless people This change Of front has
been brought about by the influence of the agents
OF mighty corpora TONS
MR. CANNON STIRS THE HOUSE.
Mr. Cannon. Of Illinois followed Mr. De Almond.
He spoke with great earnestness He old
enough he said, Judge time by events. and he
had grown dstrust those who came when great
public crises talking of the unconstitutional
ity Of measures 70 meet them. He remembered
when a President with A whole party behind him
asserted that there power under the Con-
CDeTce sovereign state
States already in prepared to shoot the
life out of what left of the Union. The Con-
stitution the buckler of those who attempted
20 embarrass the Government in the war. 1t was
The shield Of Vallandigham and Voorhees,
Ar. Cannon said he for one believed the Constitu-
tion was made for the people and the country and
not the people and the country for the Constitu-
ton. CApplause.) Never, thank God, said he, had
there been a day hour during the admin
istrations of Jefferson Jackson. Polk. Lincoln or
Mckinley when in crisis a way had not been
found 70 II. When he heard the gentleman
from Missouri announce the doctrine that
SHOULD forsake the Filipnos in their helpless
Elton he had wondered why that gentleman had
rot voted against the s20.0OOOOO appropriation to
pay Spain for these islands.
He did against it," interposed Mr.. Wheeler,
OF Kentucky.
Then he is of the thirty-four consistents,'
replied Mr. Cannon. What about the rest of you?
II I held the views you DO I'd quit" Continuing
Mr. Cannon said he believed could do what
Jefferson did when he signed the act. which was
exact copy Of the Spooner bill now before the Sen
ate. the legislative. executive and judicial
power over the Louisiana Territory in him until
the instruction put down.
What is the Administrators policy asked Mr.
Merton. of Ohio.
IN tell you" replied Mr.. Cannon. "As to Puerto
Rico, do the only thing that bring relief the
island-pass this bill. AS 10 the Philippines con-
finue TO do doing-put down the insur-
I'm for keeping the Philippines" he continued,
under the treaty and under the Constitution sub
1ect to the legislation Of the country that owns
them and work out the good results for them and
the good results for I'll risk the peoples
DICT that issue" CRenewed applause)
Mr. Cannon secuted the idea that the trusts had
dictated the bill He charged that the tobacco and
sugar stored in Puerto Rico were already owned
by the sugar and tobacco trusts They had put
forward natives stool pigeons to beg for
trad hat whit fba rats led mt
against the trusts they would be voting for them.
Their voice would be the voice Of Jacob, but their
hand would be the hand Of Esau. (Applause) do
these walking delegates that are here from Puerto
Rico get any OF the proceeds OF this bill? Yes.
they get one-niIlionth Of II. Do their American
friends that are bowling them around get any OF
it? Thank God, no. not cent Qaughter) but it
goes TO Puerto Rico, goes for local government,
goes for roads. goes for schoohouses. and when
this bin passes. for the next two years s22ooOoO
year will by this kind of taxation, and every
cent VIII GO back to the Puerto Rcans. That is
the Republican proposition"
Mr.. Ridgely. of Kansas-Could not the same plea
be made TO raise revenue for any State or Ter
ritoIy within the boundaries Of the Nation?
VIVID PICTURE OF DEMOCRACY
There is not the same necessity" replied Mr..
Cannon THE Republican party deals with facts
and conditions. II It is elephant that comes
in the road IL meets the elephant II 1t is mouse
that comes IN the road il meets the mouse. II my
friend would meet either elephant he
would say My God. cannot do anything because
81 is nc- q glacier daughter and applause the
Republican side) Now, want to be fair. In my
judgment my Democratic friends not really at
heart opposed to this bill will tell you what they
are hoodoong about. 0aughter) They that
If this humane and proper measure is passed and
goes into effect il will tell all the country and all
the world that the American Congress, with its
American civilization with its laws and Constitu-
on has the power TO be practical. and they say:
Ee viii take nothing; when we go out with the
gle and with Bryan and Sulzer. Bryan
somebody else. will take nothing; when We
4 and undertake TO scare the people when we
ia OF the eighty tribes Of barbarians of the Sulu
Sultan with his wives of the NegrItos and the Ma
lay races and that they will never in five hundred
years up be competent for the kind
of government that have, and that it will cost
money, and that it is wicked. and from the stand
point Of policy cannot keep them, and therefore
going throw them away, although we
pledged TO keep them. although paid 5000 600 in
the bargain; let throw them away, because it is
Tot safe; the Constitution jumps there on a
thousand legs and you deal with them
The singsong voice and inimitable manner in
which Mr. Cannon droned this cut oonvulsed the
House and the members into an uproar of
laughter and applause.
The cry has gone forth" he continued ..for
GODS sake let defeat this bill, because its enact
naent would show that can deal 18th all cues
tons under form of civilization! Our laws
and Constitution all that humanity and civiIiza
ton demand applause the Republican side }
There is the conflict. there is the fight YOU are
trying TO fight There is the foundation YOU are
trying TO Icy. And while individually I do not be-
ieve you would do il at the expense OF the star
walton OF the Puerto Ricans collectively ] believe
that you would sacrifice great many things and
a great many people your theories and for
any faint prophecy Of success that might come to
you the evening winds from voice of your
great somerset leader. Q.aughterD Oh bur
says somebody, Cannon. don't you know that