New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-20

eminent with a Constitution approaching perfec-
on all It's citizens everywhere and all its burdens
Te ana small are laid equally on the people
declares that an taxes shall be uniform through
complaints viii ne lend and long and will eventu
ally rend us and destroy the Government
CONSTITUTION AND NEW POSSESSIONS,
Mr.. Richardson then made elaborate legal
argument to prove that the Constitution extended
over new possessions. quoting numerous decisions
OF the Supreme Court in support OF his contention
and continued:
But, even If it be conceded that Congress has the
power to legislate in accordance with the pro-
power would be unwfse If we pass this bin it viii
be an act Of bad faith toward the people of Puerto
Island welcomed General Miles and the armies of
that terrioTy, and struck Down the power of spain
inns they Ola because they were assured and con-
of Spain were stricken from them they were to be
na66mltfed 10 The immuntles and blessings of our
iiization We are told our soldiers were hailed
promises held out to the inhabitants OF the island
BY the United States t'e manu-
House to pass measures directly contrary to the
decisions of the Supreme Court, and also in open
nevertheless. feel it is my duty before such ac-
Of the dane 'h of he con nd e
advice OF the President. 1 shall assume that
former that they viii the latter. We have been
fully informed as to the painful conditions OF the
mony OF officers of the Government who have been
% ns sne by the evidence ,S Of
several committees Of this BODY 0''''''' ''i'''
vote down this most dangerous bill. am proud
TO be able TO say that in my opinion when the roll
vote in this Chamber WIN be recorded in its fa1or
Al will stand by the Union and the Constitution
perfect for human perfection has never yet been
and intellect OF man It has been the hope and the
stay OF our people for more than hundred years.
Mr.. Richardson spoke for 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 cast against the bill
MR.. DALZELL AGAINST FREE TRADE.
1ority member of the Ways and Means Committee.
then took the floor. He made a close legal and
constitutional argument in support of the con-
tention OF the majority that the Constitution did
not extend over new possessions
BY the treaty with Spain" said Mr. Dalzell I'VE
acquired the islands constituting the Philippines
and Puerto Rico. Attempting now for the first
tLhe 10 IeglsIate for one of these possessions
We are told we must be governed by fixed.
uINarvlhg system and that the system which
applies to the United States itself" 1t was an
amazing proposition, he said, involving three prom
inent features-free trade citizenship and naviga-
ton laws 1t would be better to let the islands GO
Iaking up the contention that the acquisition
OF new territory the Constitution is extended
thereto ex proprio vigore, Mr.. Dalzell cited the
case of the American Insurance Company against
Canter, in which Whippe and Webster met this
very argument in the case of Florida Much arg,l
ment was used I'm that case to show that the Con-
sttution and laws of the United States were
per Sc in force in Florida and that the inha bants
We're citizens of the United States. Webster and
Whipple asked how the Constitution BECAME of
force in Florida. Was il by the act of cession?
Was there any principle IN the law of nations
which on the act of cesson or conquest gives to
t the ceasu or conquered country right to par
parent country? - 49,
The usages of lions from the period Of Grecian
colonization TO the present moment precisely
the reverse. Sucn a right never was asserted Tn,
United States for the United States. II provides
for the future admission of countries into the
power of governing them territories until they
are admitted as States II the Constitution was in
Iofce IN Florida, why was it not represented in
Congress? Why was IL necessary to pass an act o.
United States to- Flortdap WV ala con.r snS
designate particular laws. such the Crimes act,
them as laws into Florida? Why enumerate par.
ticular rights secured to the people of the United
TO them on the act of cession? If this reasoning
be not correct, then IT being impossible to
Is governed we must either have a consti-
tutional amendment, abandon the islands or let
the President govern them. The same limitation
that applies to Congress applies to the President.
Mr. Dalzen expressed his opposition to free trade
with Puerto Rico at this time IF we must have
&c Naue Win fueilo fNico We must with the
Philippines. This might mean the planting or i'm
mense areas OF sugar and tobacco The low wages
paid would be menace 10 the labor in the coun.
try
CONSENT OF GOVERNED UNNECESSARY
Turning to the question Of the consent Of the
governed, Mr. Dalzell asserted that In representa-
tive republic the right to govern did not depend on
the consent of the governed The methods Of gov
eminent prescribed by the principles of Anglican
liberty practised in the United States would be
grotesque in the Philippine Islands would bring
10 their people advantage. They would be in
point Of fact, impossible of exercise.
The guarantees of liberty" he said, in concIud-
ing, do not exist alone in the Constitution of the
United States. They do not depend upon the great
instrument for their strength and perpetuity. Thev
would continue to live and flourish If that Constitu-
ton were annihilated They are the indestructibe
heritage of humanity"
Mr.. Dalzell was cheered when he finished.
The House at o'clock took a recess until 8 the
evening session being for private pension Iegisla-
ton