The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-04
ally termed "our in-su-lar pos-ses-sions'

COiOTduO, accused Mr. Lodge, OF MhSsd-
Of uttering that which was ''un-
qualifedly false" The difficulty arose over
an effort made. by Mr.. Lodge to have the
Spooner bill made the unfinished business.
This involved the displacement of the Quay
case, and the friends of the former senator
from Pennsylvania made things exceeding
ly lively for half an hour.
LETTER READ BY Mr.. FAIRBANKS.
During the debate Senator Fairbanks
presented the following cabegram from
Governor General Davis. of Porto Rico;
"San Juan, Porto Rico, March y
Letter by next mail from Prof. Hollander.
strongly advising against legislative re-
auirement of United States internal reve-
nue. laws. or fixed percentage thereof. for
Porto Rico. He urges that the tax system
for this island should be made to suit local
conditions and harmonize with home re-
quirements. Hope of attaining such a sys-
tenn will be unrealizable IL unsuted tax
laws are forced on the island and proper
measures prevented"
Senator Fairbanks explained that Prof
Hollander is an expert on questions OF tax
alton who was sent to Porto Rico at the
of those questions.
During his speech Mr.. Mason resented as
cowardy and unjust any reflection upon his
patriotism and his love for the flag because
of his opinions regarding the Philippines.
He declared that IL il was treason TO op-
pose war of conquest. to lift unjust tax
alton. to confer upon the struggling people
the blessings of liberty. to protect the la
boring men and women of this country,
then he was guilty. Adverting at this
point to Porto Rico he maintained that
when the treaty of Paris was ratified the
island became part of the United States,
and Congress had no more right to put
duty on her products than 1t had to put a
tariff duty on products passing between
New York and Washington. Unless you
can get the Supreme Court to stultify and
reverse itself" said Mr.. Mason there Is
but one way to levy tariff upon the peo-
pie of the United States to prevent their
trading with the rest of the United States.
You must amend the Constitution to do It.
You must strike out that clause of the Con-
stitution which says all duties must be uni
form. beg you to count the cost of such
an amendment. You cannot say to Europe
that it is wholly foreign and alien: You
may deliver the product of your labor here
upon the payment of 100 per cent of the
present duty and then say to Porto Rico,
You are IS per cent. alien and Is per cent.
foreign, and you must pay your pro rata
share of impost duty There is no such
thing as So per cent annexation The
people of Porto Rico are either our people
100 per cent, or they are 100 per cent not
our people,
BRIEF SPEECHES.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Mason's speech
Mr.. Culberson, of Texas addressed the
Senate in opposition to the pending bill. 1t
was his first speech in the Senate, and he
was given attentive hearing, particularly
by his Democratic colleagues. He declared
that the pending measure, so far at least
as the tariff provision was concerned, was
indefensible on moral, economical and con-
sti utlo..h grounds.
The order for fifteen-minute speeches or
less then went into effect Mr.. CLAY. of
Georgia, addressed himself largely to show
ing what he designated the Inconsistencies
of the supporters of the pending bill. How
ever. the Republican party was making
feel justified in accepting Mr. Depew's sug-
gestion to get on the band wagon. Indeed.
1t did not remain in one place long enough
to permit one to get aboard If so disposed
He pronounced Speaker Hendersons recent
letter remarkable production.
Mr.. Ross, of Vermont laid stress upon
the Importance of proceeding with care in
this crisis. He thought the Constitution
had not extended to Porto Rico on the sign
ing OF the peace treaty, and argued that IL
would be unwise to extend 1t by legislation
He thought the provision permitting some
articles to enter free and taxing others was
unfair. if not illegal. He would, however,
subordinate some of his opinions and vote
for the measure.
Mr.. Teller entered his protest against the
pending bill.
Mr.. Bacon said that when this bill should
pass 1t would be the first law declaring
that the people for whom Congress had
legislated were not citizens of the United
States. 1t was indeed a historic occasion
Mr.. Wellington opposed the pending
measure. but said he had stood ready to
support the bill first presented to the Sem
ate upon the subject That bill had been
icBdIue1 DIS just ana constitutional
he said. ''the legislative monstrosity now
before us transgresses every principle of
national honor. patriotism, good faith and
| justice. l am compelled, therefore. to part
| from my colleagues of the Republican ma
| Jority and vote against this bill. The prin-
ciples of the government demand my oppo-
| sition to the bill, the observation of ma
uonal honor requires it, the Constitution
| demands it and justice and equality points
| the way to it,
Mr.. Foraker said the speech of Mr. Wei
| Engton made it appropriate for him 10 say
| at the close of the debate that so far as
the pending bill was concerned, there had
been nothing unusual or different from
| legislation generally. He explained briefly
J that changes had been made i'm the meas
| ure since II was first drafted, but those
/ changes had been explained again and
| again.
| FORAKER UNDER FIRE
| Mr.. Proctor inquired why the President
| the secretary of war and General Davis
| the Governor of Porto Rico. had not seen
| and noted the necessity for a tariff on
| Porto Rican products.
| Il do not know" retorted Mr. Foraker
why 1t did not occur to them. Perhaps il
| did. What / do know is that the subject
was thoroughly and impartially investi-
gated. and the necessity for the legislation