Washington sentinel., 1900-08-04
Congressman The SENTINEL
presents this
Ruppert. week the por-

trait OF one ol the youngest of the
members Of the present Congress
Hon. Jacob Rupert, IT,, of New
York.
Although serving only his FIRST
session in the National Legisla-
ture, when little would be expected
from him, Mr. Rupert has man
aged to keep in touch with the
business OF that body, and his
speech on the Porto Rican Tariff
bill, delivered in the House OF
Representatives at Washington,
Wednesday, April II, 1900, and
published in this issue, shows him
to have a pretty clear understand
ing Of Democratic principles, ard
'of American responsibilities to
wards our island possession, and
to have studied the question as well
from a business mans point OF
view. Mr.. Rupert has begun well,
and should he decide to continue
in the field OF politics we bespeak
for him a career Of usefulness if not
also otbrilliancy.
Mr. Rupert has not only served
his party faithfully and honestly
but has also done his best at all
times for his constituents. He has
the reputation on the floor OF the
House OF being the most demo
cratic in ways and manner OF all
Of his colleagues, and ready at all
times to consult with and serve his
constituents. His heart is in the
right place too, as was proved IN his
fight to force Congress to do some.
thing for the struggling Beers. AS
a fellow German. American we SIM
cerelY hope that ne will be re-
elected by an overwhelming msj-
oritY.
Mr.. Rupert spoke in part as iol
lows:
Mr.. Speaker: We have been privi-
legged with many arguments pro and con
concerning the right Of Congress to
impose legislation upon Porto Rico,
which Congress could not, under the
Constitution, impose upon any other
Territory Of the United States except
those territories which came to us
through the provisions of the treaty of
peace between the United States and the
Kingdom OF Spain. The LAWYERS ofthIs
b dy have argued both sides OF this
question with great ability, and no con
verts seem to have been made upon
either side.
The theory that the Constitution
controls wherever the United States, the
Government of which was created by
the Constitution, has jurisdiction has
been most ably pr, sented. Upon the
other hand, the Republican LAWYERS have
urged that the Constitution is limited in
its operation, and the only really omni
potent power is the Congress which the
Constitution created. Whether or not
the created IS greater than the creator,
I will leave to the LAWYERS to argue.
will leave for the lawyers the question
as to whether the United States Consti
tuition and the United States flag
cooperate together and dwell in peace or
whether at a certain point the flag and
the Constitution become divorced, and
| in such cases whether It is an absolute
| divorce or only a limited separation. I
| leave this question for the lawyers Of this
body. I wish to speak as a business
man and in favor OF the business men
whom l represent. do not care to
discuss whether Judge Magoon was
| right when he SAID the Constitution did
apply or when he said it did not apply
| do not care 10 consider the merits OF
the opposite decisions of the learned
chairman Of the Ways and Means Com.
mittee.
In New York the Secretary OF War has
been regarded as possessing some legal
ability, and he decided that the Consti-
tuition did apply. The President Of the
| United States has decided this question
both ways think, therefore, that the
most ardent supporter ofthis bill will at
least admit that the question, from a
purely legal standpoint, is a doubtful
one. do not think that any lawyer
upon the Republican side will contend
that his position is free from difficulties
I therefore pass by the consid Grafton o.
the legal matters involved and present
the case from purely business stand
point
The property we possess in Porte
Rico, whatever the nature Of that prop
erty may be, belongs to the people o
the United States 1t does not belong L
any one man or to any set ofthem. Tn,
expenses incurred in the war which
caused the annexation or rather tn,
transfer OF the sovereignty, of Porte
Rico to that OF the United States wer,
paid by taxes to which all OF the p sopl,
Of the United States contributed i'm pro
portion It is represented by all OF tn
reports that we have had concerning tn
resources Of Porto Rico that there ar
certain features OF that island which vii
, make it valuable property to the peopl
OF this country.
The benefits to be derived should b
equally shared by the people Of tn
United States. These benefits brn
. with them corresponding obligation
? and duties. The President Of the Unite
States recognized the force OF this Of