The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-02
CONGRESS DEV0TEST THE DAY TO BILLS
AS TO THESE ISLANDS.
LEADING DEBATERS TAKE PART
In the Discussion In Both Houses-Sen-
ator Depew Advocates the Hawaiian
and bolivar Close the General Porto
Rican bat In the House Mr..
Payne's Change of Front shown by a
Letter from Him OF Recent Date.
SENATE.

large attendance Oh senators and a no.
table assemblage OF gallery spectators,
Senator Depew, New York, delivered a.
brilliant speech in the senate today on
the Philippine question. His picture Of
commerce n civilization proceeding
hand-in-hand brought out an applause
that swept over the chamber and
through the galleries and called forth
a protest from Senator Bacon, against
such demonstrations.
Senate Turley resumed his speech
on the Quay case, and Senator Penrose
interrupted to inquire if it were mo-
the intention Of the trainers Of the con-
stitution that the senat at all times
should be full so that in view of such
important matters as the force bill, an
impeachment trial or some similar case
coming before the senate, any of which
might hinge upon one vote, the states
might have equal representation.
senator Turley replied that it was,
but 1t would not necessarily follow
that the senate at all times could be
kept full.
Senator Turley discussed precedents
and said these for Seventy-five years
were unbrokenly against the authority
the governor of Pennsylvania vested
in the pending case.
senator Penrose announced he would
call up the case on a legislative day
hereafter.
Consideration of the Hawaiian gov
eminent bill was then resumed, Sena-
tor Butler, of North Carolina. offering
a substitute for his postal savings bank
bill mendmen offered yesterday. La
ter, he withdrew it on an appeal to
bring in a we'll matured bill establish
ing a postal savings bank throughout
the United States.
Senator Morgan offered an amend
ment providing for the payment by
the United States of all sums now on
deposit in the Hawaiian postal savings
bank. 1t vas adopted.
The contract labor question was pre-
cipitated again by Senator Pettigrew,
who offered al amendment providing
that all contracts for labor entered into
since August II, 1898, should be declar-
ed null and void. He asserted that
since the annexation Of Hawaii 10000
contract laborers had been imported
into Hawaii, their contracts extending
over periods from three to ten years.
The coffee lands practically had been
changed to uga plantations con-
trolled by vast interests, who,
during the past year, had been paid
by this government in RENTED duties
s12, 600, 900. These great interests would
control the legislation OF Hawaii and
consequently he wanted such an
amendment to the bill as would meet
every contingency.
The amendment was adopted without
division.
1t was agreed that a final vote on
the bill and mendmen would be TAX
en- before adjournment tomorrow.
At 5:25 o'clock p. m, the senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The last day of the general debat
on the Porto Rico tariff bill opened in
the house today with a twenty minute
speech by Mr.. Carmack, of Tennessee,
in opposition to the bill. The alterna-
tive presented by the bill, he said, was
the abandonment of our priceless prin-
ciples or of our new possessions. The
country had been daZZled with the gor-
| geouS picture of empire, yet at the very
threshold of the new departure, he
said, gentlemen OF the other side had
been appalled, lest the trade which
they had looked at with covetOuS eyes
would bring ruin and destruction to
American labor. Therefore, the new
possessions were to become colonies
and be turned over to carpet Dagger
adventures. He read from the repub-
lican platform of 1860 to show that it
set up the very contention maintained
by the democrats now-that the conStl-
tuition was supreme in the territories
and extended over every foot Of ground
over which the United States had jul
risdiction.
Mr.. Clayton. of Alabama, created
much amusement and enthusiasm by
reading a letter written by CHAIRMAN
Payne to Mr.. Curtis, of Palmyra, N.
Y, dated January "a, 1900, in which he
advocated free trade with Porto Rico
on the ground that it would give relief
to the stricken island. The letter also
contained the following reference to
the Philippines.
Under the treaty the Philippine is
lands are to have free trade with
Spain for ten years. We could not ex-
tend these tariff laws to the Philippine
islands even if we would"
Mr.. Kleberg, of Texas, and Mr..
Pearce, of Tennessee, also opposed the
bill.
Mr.. Dearmond, of Missouri, said
this bill proposed to set aside the con-
%Stitution, not for the purpose of do
ing something philanthropic, but in the
interest of the partial or complete en-
slavement of a helpless people. This
change of front had been brought
about by the influence of the agents
of mighty corporations. The Porto
Ricans, he said, were to be crucifed
in order that the cross might be raised
in the Philippines. We could with
draw from the archipelago and leave
10, 900, 900 of tropical people to WORK
out their own salvation. In my opin,
ion," he said, that is what we ough
to do Democratic appIause-) Butt
they are held they must be held un-
der the constitutional. The inhabl-
tantS must be American citizens
black, brown and yellow, and ultimate,
ly be represented upon this floor witt
more representation han all of New
England" .
Mr.. Cannon. of Illinois, followed
He remembered when the president
with a whole party behind him, assert
l ed that there was no power under tn
constitution to coerce a sovereign
: state when those states were already
in arms prepared to shoot the life on
of what was left of the union. Thu
constitution, he said, was the bucklel
of those who attempted to embarras'
: the government during the war.
t What is the administrations poll
5 cy?" asked Mr.. Norton, of Ohio.
I'll tell you, responded Mr.. Can
non. NAs to Porto Rico, do h onl.
thing that can bring relief to the is
, land-naSS this hill AS RI the Dhilin