The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-20
The PORTO RICO MEA URt
THEY HAVE TWO POWERFUL
REPUBLICAN ALLIES.
uTTLEFlELO AND MCCALL OPPOSE IT
involving the Question Of Power to Govern
Territory Outside the Limitation Of
The Constitution, the Bill is
..of Vast lmpor' ance.

Washington, Feb. 19.-The debate
upon the Porto Rican Tariff Bill, which
is TO continue throughout the week and
possibly longer, opened in the House to-
day. On all hands it is agreed that this
bill. although it applies only to Porto
Rico, involving as it does the question
of the power to govern our new pos
sessions outside the limitations of the
Constitution is the most important meas
ure which will come before this Con-
gress. Interest in the bill is intense
among the members on both sides and
there is urgent demand for time. The
Democrats are solidly arrayed against
the measure, and they will have power
full support from the Republican side
in Mr.. Mccall, of Massachusetts, and
Mr. Littlefield, of Maine, both able and
forceful debaters. How far the Repub-
lican disaffection will extend or whether
it will endanger the bill it is impossible
to say at this time.
Mr.. Payne the floor leader of the ma
jority. refused to agree that vote
should De taken upon substitute to be
offered by the minority. This substitute,
in substance the bill originally introduced
by Mr.. Payne providing for free trade
with Porto Rico by the extension of the
customs and revenue laws of the United
States over the island. The debate to-
day lacked exciting features. 1t was
in the nature of n long-range lombard
nent, before the clash of the contending
forces in battle. Mr.. Payne opened
in, Nf
the BILL going largely into the material
side of the situation which the bill is
designed to relieve. Mr.. Richardson, the
Democratic leader, joined issue upon the
power of Congress to enact the proposed
legislation and Mr.. Dalzell of Pennsyl-
wanna. backed up Mr.. Payne with
constitutional and legal argument
DANGEROUS TO LIBERTY.
Mr.. Richardson. CTenn.) the leader Of
the minority made the opening argu-
ment in opposition to the measure. Il
am not ain alarmist," said he, "but in
my Judgment the pending bill! is more
dangerous to the liberties of the people
Of this republic than any measure before
seriously presented to the American
Congress. 1t VIII prove more far reach
ing in its provisions and disastrous in
the results that must of necessity fol-
low if it should be enacted into law,
than any act ever passed by Congress.
"1'he bill is framed upon the idea and
assumption that Congress enters upon
the government of Porto Rico unre-
strained by the provisions of the Con-
stitution This we deny. Those Of us
who oppose this measure. | believe
without exception maintain that the bill
cannot be enacted into law without
total disregard and violation of not sim
ply the spirit, but the express letter of
the Constitutions The Louisiana terri
tory. Florida. Texas, California, New
Mexico. Oregon and Alaska have all
been acquired under our Constitution
without a jar or strain TO any of its
wise and beneficient provisions and
without any demand for its amendment.
Every foot of this vast domain was
acquired and annexed under Democratic
Presidents.
"The Democratic party has always
favored proper expansion. Those of us
opposing this measure are not baslng
our opposition to it on the ground that
it is measure of expansion. This is
not il measure of expansion. Legislation
by Congress fer the island at once makes
it part of the United States. If this
bill passes it must follow that it is then
a part of the United States. This being
true the proposition which this bill
carries for unequal taxation of the is
land as portion Of the United States
is the baldest form of imperialism. The
opposition to this bill plants itself upon
this ground. The measure is imperialism
itself In the former acquisitions to
which have referred no such measure
as the pending one. was ever proposed,
or deemed necessary
STAND BY THE CONSTITUTION.
Mr.. Richardson then proceeded with
an exhaustive legal argument to prove
that the Constitution extended over orr
new possessions quoting numerous decis-
ions of the Supreme court in support of
his contention. He said the passage of
the bill would be an act of bad faith to
the Porto Ricans.
''Let u.s. he appealed. ''vote down
this most dangerous bill. In my opinion
not solitary Democratic vote in this
chamber will be recorded in its favor.
contention of the majority that the Con-
stitution.''
L.
jority member of the Ways and Means
Committee, made close legal and con-
stitutional argument in support of the
contention of the maxjority that the con-
stitution did not extend over our new
possessions.
Mr.. Dalzell expressed his opposition to
free trade with Porto Rico at this time.
No one could tell what her industries
were going to be, nor how they would
affect our people. If we must have free
trade with Porto Rico we must with the
Philippines. The result might be the
planting of immense areas of sugar and
tobacco The low wages paid would be
a menace TO labor in this country.
HIS IDEA OF A REPUBLIC.
Mr.. Dalzell asserted that in a repre-
sentative republic the right to govern
did not depend on the consent of the
O0yprnpd