The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-02-20


time VIII not be far distant when public
improvements all over the island viii
be complete and a schoolhouse estab-
hshed IN every community beneath the
folds Of the American flag.
VIII Not Injure Our Interests.
Nor viii this bill injure any iRter-
ests in the United States With sugar
at . per cent of the present duties. the
beet sugar industry will still grow and
prosper; 10000 tons year ago and 100
coo tons this year. il is destined in the
near future to supply the place Of all
we import. AS I had occasion to say
IN closing the debate on the conference
report on the Dingley bill, with a beet
sugar factory in every congressional
district it will solve the question Of
the sugar trust.
But our constitutional power is
questioned. I don't propose to go into
a discussion Of the distum Of the su-
preme court or any decision bearing on
this question l find no case where
the question was directly involved or
which is decisive
1t is now universally conceded that
we have the power to acquire territory
by conquest or by treaty. I find no
limit in the constitution to this power. ="
Mr.. Richardson (Tenn), the leader of
the minority. made the opening argu-
ment IN opposition to the measure
Dangerous to Liberty.
I am not an alarmist," he said. but
in my Judgment the pending bill is
more dangerous to the liberties Of the
people Of this republic than any meas
ure before seriously presented to the
American congress. It will prove more
far-reaching in its provisions and dis
astrous in the results that must of ne
cessity follow if it should be enacted
into law than any act ever passed by
congress.
The Democratic party has always
favored proper expansion. Those of US
opposing this measure are not basing
our opposition to it that it is a meas
ure for expansion. This is not a meas
ure Of expansion.
Whether the constitution of the
United States is extended to the island
of Porto Rico eX pTOpriO VigOre, or not
it must be admitted that when we enter
upon legislation for the island as con-
gress will do if it passes this bill. that
question viii be put at rest and the
territory viii then be a part of US.
The opposition to this bill plants
itself upon this ground. The measure
1
" marks the dividing line between all
former acquisitions and that Of Porto
Rico.
This is a tax measure The power
to tax is the power to destroy. All
the taxes are burdens to be borne.
Tney were borne without murmur, no
matter how high and OneTOus, if they
are only equal and uniform. Under
our beloved government, with a consti-
tuition approaching perfection, all its
blessings fall share and share alike on
all its citizens everywhere and all itS
burdens, great and small, are laid
equally on the people.
Taxes Shall Be Uniform.
"The wisest clause in it, perhaps, is
that which declares that all taxes shall
be uniform throughout the United
States. When they are unequal the
complaints viii be loud and long and
viii eventually rend US and destroy the
government.
Mr.. Richardson then proceeded with
an exhaustive legal argument to prove
that the constitution extended over our
new possessions, quoting numerous de
cisiOnS of the supreme court in support
of his contentious.
But even if it be conceded that con-
nection with the provisions of the pend
ing bill" he continued, then the eX-
ercise of such power would be unwise.
If we pass this bill it viii be an act of
bad faith toward the people of Porto
Rico.
we are told that the inhabitants of
that island welcomed General Miles
and the army Of the United States in
July. 1888 when they invaded their ter
TitoTy and struck down the power of
Spain. This they did because they
were assured and confidently believed
thai as the tyrannoUs shackles Of Spain
were stricken from them they were to
be admitted to the immunities and
blessings of our liberal institutions, as
well az our enlightened civilization.
Our soldiers were hailed as Tedeemers.
Why2 1t was because of the alluring
promises held out to the inhabitants
Of the island by the United States.
Vote Down the Measure.
Let US vote down this most danger
Gus bill. / am proud TO be able to say
that in my opinion when the roll is
called on its passage, not a solitary
Democratic vote in this chamber will
be recorded in its favor. All viii stand
by the Union and the constitution. We
revere that instrument as the best ever
devised by the brain and intellect of
man. 1t has been the hope and the stay
Of our people for more than 100 years.
Mr. Richardson spoke over an hour.
He was several times interrupted by
applause from his side of the house.
This applause was especially vigorous
when he said that every Democratic
vote would be against the bill.
AR Dalzell (Pa.), the ranking mem
Der Of the ways and means commit
tee. followed in a close legal and con-
stitutiOnal argument in support of the
contention Of the majority that the
constitution did not extend over oar
new possessions.
Mr. DalzelI expressed his opposition
20 free trade with Porto Rico at this
time. We must be generous to Porto
Rico, but just to ourselves If We must
have free trade with Porto Rico, we
must with the PhilippiT es. 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.
Turning to the question Of the con-
sent of the governed, Mr.. Dalzell as
serted that in a representative repub-
lie the right to govern did not depend
on the consent of the governed.
Mr.. DalzelI received an ovation wher
he finished. The house then. at
O'Clock, took a recess until s o'clock
the evening session to be devoted tC
private pension legislation.
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