Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-03-01
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

washington, Feb. ia simple res
olution of inquiry introduced in the
senate by Senator Hale (Maine) pre-
| cipitated hours of constitutional de-
bate by some of the ablest constitu-
tional lawyers in that body on the au-
| thority of congress at its pleasure to
extend or withhold the constitution to
territory acquired by the United States.
The bill providing for the government
OF Hawaii was then taken up. Senator
Cullom (Ill.), in charge of the measure,
explained its provisions section by
section. Senator Tillman was dis
posed TO criticise the bill be-
cause property and educational quail
flcations for voters and Office holders
were required, inasmuch as objections
were raised in this country to southern
states demanding similar qualifica-
tions of their voters. Mr.. Cullom said
the matter had been con-
| sidered most carefully by the
| foreign relations committee
and as means of protecting the inter-
ests of the islands and their citizens
from disorder and confusion, the re-
stricted suffrage qualifications had
been adopted. Mr.. Cullom explained
as the particular reason for early ac-
tion upon the pending bill that the bu-
bonic plague had created a serious sit
uation in Honolulu. Thirty acres of the
city were burned by the authorities in
| order to prevent the spread of the
plague. Eight thousand persons were
homeless and nearly naked; were in
quarantine and being supported by the
other citizens of Honolulu. The Ha-
waiian people had made strong APP
peal for the enactment of legislation
that would give them the authority of
permanent government. At the con-
clusion of Senator Cullom's statement,
sharp discussion arose over the right
of congress to establish in the terri
tory constitutional court of the
United States. No conclusion was
| reached.
Washington, Feb. 19.-Mr. Richard
son, (dem., Tenn.,) introduced two res
olutions aimed at the sugard trust. The
first provides that: Sugars manu-
featured by the American Sugar Re-
finihg company of New Jersey, and all
other manufacturers in this country.
shall, after six months from the pas
sage of this act, be prohibited by the
interstate commerce commission from
being transported in any manner
whatsoever, from one state to another.
until said commission are satisfied the
sugars offered for interstate transpor-
tation have not yielded a profit to the
manufacturers thereof, of more than
per cent. in excess of the cost of
same" The second provides that,
from and after the passage of this
resolution all kinds of sugars molas-
5es and everything entering into the
manufacture of sugars, shall be admit
ted free of duty from Porto Rico.
Cuba and the Hawaiian islands,"
The debate upon the Porto Rican
tariff bill, which is to continue
throughout the week and possibly
longer, opened and on all hands it is
agreed that this bill, although it ap-
plies to Porto Rico, involving as it
does the question of the power to gov
ern our new possessions outside the
limitations of the constitution, is the
most important measure which will
come before this congress. Mr.. Payne,
floor leader of the majority, refused to
agree that the vote should be taken
upon the substitute to be offered by the
minority This substitute will pro-
vide for free trade with Porto Rico. Mr..
Payne opened with general argu-
ment in support of the bill. Mr.. Rich
ardson, democratic leader, Joined issue
upon the power Of congress to
enact the proposed legislation. |
Applause from his side of |
the house was especially vigorous |
when he said every democratic vote |
would be cast against the bill. Mr.. |
Dalzell (rep., Pa, ranking majority
member of the ways and means COM
mittee. followed in constitu-
tional argument in support of
the contention of the majority that
the constitution did not extend to cover
our new possessions.