The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-31

sistauce il they would and have no dis
position to it they could. and must accept
and submit 10 whatever we may do. We
claim that our mission in Porto Rico was
TO deliver that people from the thraldom
OF Spain VIII not they in their hearts
pray 10 be delivered from their deliver
crs2
But let as consider this question a mo
ment from the lower plane Of mere policy.
In the first place. honesty is the best
policy as We shall find II we try the other
way.
Again il this bill becomes a law il will
stand greatly IN the way of the develop
ment Of that little island u leaves the
future co. uncertainty. for if we levy a tax
Of l. per cent the next Congress may levy
q tax OF 30 per cent II We adopt free
trade. 30 viii be accepted by everybody
as a definite policy toward Porto Rico.
Business interests will know what 10 de-
pend upon. and capital and enterprise viii
90 there and soon change the deplorable
conditions now existing. Unvert7iniy VIII
paralyze industry.
But. il is not the effect Of this meas
ure upon the people Of Porto Rico which
constitutes the greatest objection 10 this
bill. ia is its effect upon ourselves. II is
the injustice and uufairness Ct our treat
ment or this helpless. dependent people
for which retribution will surely come upon
us in some form. Our action must be
such as TO appeal to the good sense to
the highest sentiment and the honest
judgment OF the American people rather
than to respond TO the demands OF pio-
tected interests OF special classes"
Mr.. Proctor was followed by Mr.. Pettus.
His speech is referred 10 elsewhere.
The Morgan Amendment Rejected.
Upon its conclusion consideration of the
bill was proceeded with, the pending ques-
ton being the amendment offered on
Thursday by Mr. Morgan to make the rate
Of exchange for the Porto Rican peso 81
instead OF so cents
The amendment was rejected-yeas u,
nays 80.
The committee amendment Csection 100
TO substitute American coins for Porto
Rican coins tretiring the peso al 90 cants)
was agreed TO without division
Mr.. Allen made a general argument
against the bill claiming that when Porto
Rico came into possession OF the United
States her inhabitants became citizens OF
the United States and were entitled TO all
the rights. privileges, and immunities Of
citizens.
He was asked by Mr.. Spooner whether
the people Of the Philippine Islands were
also citizens Of the United States.
Yes" MI Allen replied; but we do
not have to keep them. Does the Senator
from Wisconsin say that the people Of
Porto Rico did not become citizens Of the
United States2'
The senator from Wisconsin SAYS. Mr..
Sp00ner replied that IN his opinion they
are not
and what are they" Mr. Allen asked.
They are c0lonisJs" Air. Sp0oner re-
piled
They owe allegiance do they uot?" Mr..
Allen persisted.
so do aliens" was Mr.. spooners an
swer
No" said Mr. Allen. "an alien cannot
owe allegiance 10 more than one Govern
ment There can be no divided allegiance.
The idea that there can be is another new
and startling heresy."
An alien residing in this country owes
"A qualified allegiance said Mr.. SpO0neT.
NO" replied Mr. Allen. he simply
owes the duty OF obedience 10 law. but
that IS not allegiance"
Mr.. Pettus moved to insert in place Of
section II, which applies to Porto Rico the
statutory law Of the United States these
words: The Constitution OF the United
States and the laws not locally inapplica-
bic shall have the same force and effect
in Porto Rico as in other parts of the
United States The motion was rejected
yeas -. nays 30. The vote was as fol-
lows
Yeas-Alien, Bacon. Bate, Berry, Clay, Harris.
Heitield, Jones Of Arkansas. Keuuey, Money.
Morgan, Fettus, and Turiy-8
Nays-Baker, Garter, Chandler. Cui0m Davis
Deboc. Depew, Fairbanks Foraker, Foster FIVE
Galiiuecr. Gear Hale. Hanna. Hansbrough Haw.
ier. kean, Kyle, Lindsay, Lodge, Mcbride. Nc
C0mas McCumbtr MeAilu, Nelson, Perkins