The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-19

not be sufficient to meet the expenses of
government so the substitute was framed
1t levied a duty amounting TO p per cent
of the regular tariff on all goods passing
between the United States and Porto Rico,
and the regular duty on all foreign goods.
1t wag estimated that this would produce
an an: ial revenue Of 81 $50 OO0 from Gus
toms. which added 10 the internal reve-
nues Of the island would produce S25O0,-
OOO General Davis estimates the eXpen-
ditures at 81 $50 900. The substitute meant
prosperity and happiness for the people OF
Porto Rico. AID would work 10 harm TO
the United States. preferential duty of
70 per cent would speedily transfer all the
trade Of the island which amounted TO
over S17OO0,0C0 in 1897, TO this country.
Turning then TO the question of Constitu-
tiunal power. Mr. Payne said there was no
decision Of the Supreme Court directly in
voived in the question
Power To Acquire Territory.
.It is now universally conceded" he
said THAT we have the power 20 acquire
territory by conquest or ~ treaty. ! find
no limit in the Constitution 20 this power.
Il may be for the purpose CT removing all
fetters from the mouth o. great river,
or for coaliDg stations. or ior the building
of an isthmian canal, the opening OF
guanO beds. OF the formation Of States, or
any other end which may suit the purpose
Of the American people. Having acquired
it, the nation may dispose Of territory
This is inherent 10 the right 10 acquire,
and IL is as broad as the right. We never
lose these rights until We give to the ter
ritory the attributes Of a state. or other
wise extend the Constitution over IT, This
right also comes from the expressed lam
guage Of the Constitution that Con-
gress shall have power TO dispose Of and
make all needful rules and regulations re-
spectinE the territory or other property
belonging to the United States in gov
erning the Territories Congress has all the
powers Of States and Of the United States
combined. 81 n has been the legislative
construction of the Constitution for a
hundred years. Congress Sss always as
sumed that its power was supreme
Mr. Payne then reviewed the legisla-
tion pertinent TO the case, asserting as "A
conclusion that the part Of the Constitu-
tion which directs that duties must be
equal in all parts Of the United States
does not apply 20 Territories"
In conclusion. referring TO the passage
If the act for the annexation Of Hawaii,
Mr. Payne said. The debate Was strong
and furious. but according 30 my recollec-
tiOn no gentleman in the opposition raised
the cry Of Imperialism against the man
ner in which Congress asserted the right
10 its absolute power 10 provide any sort
I OF government for this new territory Nor
! is there any danger in all Ihis- Congress
representing the American people, is ever
swift to put the power OF government in
to the hands Of any people OF the terri
I tory belonging 70 the United states. As
for the people Of Porto Rico. I would give
as fast as their own good will warrant
| Pass this bill. which. even the gentleman
I from Massachusetts admits is a well-con-
I sidsred measure from q fiscal standpoint
I and give them better markets and abun-
dant revenue DO not tie down their des-
TIMES TO the whim Of the 90 per cent illit-
] crate OF to ,he caprice OF the 10 per cent
OF the educated, who have known no gov
ernmcnt except Spanish nisrulc. Keep
I them an IN leacing strings un-
Ill you have educated them up
10 the fun stature OF American
! manhood and then crown them with the
/ glory Of American citizenship. In the
meantime give them all the rights accord
/ ed 10 oar own people under the Consiitu-
; tion consistent with their best interest
/ and happiness.
The Philippines
What shall we do with yhe Philippines?
I First. stamp out insurrect'3a and restore
! law and order. Then investigate and legis-
late with caution. always remembering
their welfare and our own. If. in the
meantime. the Supreme Court should de-
clare that your Interpretation Of the Con-
sttution is right which DO not for a
. moment believe. then our TASK viii be
fraught with the greatest dif5cuity- But !
believe that American s;atesmanship viii
in that event work out the problem TO the
elevation Of the Filipino and the glory OF
our country. II we prove 20 be right In
our contention, our task VIII be FAR easier.
Il Will be safe 20 trust the American pgJ-
i pie and their representatives, We will
teach them the principles Of the American
Constitution. In the meantime We viii not
/ ourselves forget those people in our deal
/ ingS with them Our constant aim shall
/ be TO elevate them. and wheCher we inCOr-
/ poTate them finally into orr system or
( send them forth among the nations OF the
/ world. we will vcuchsafe 10 them the bless
/ ings Of liberty. Wherever our flag goes
/ MP 10 shall not come down vi hout having
/ first guaranteed under its folds the bless
{ lays OF civilization Of liberty. and Of SOW
y.5:su citizenship"
/ Mr.. Payne was followed by NJ Richard
/ son Of Tennessee who made a long speech
! against the bill
In nav judgment" he said. the pend
I ing bill is more dangerous 10 the liberties
I Of the DcODle Of this Republic than any
. measure ever before SERIOUSLY presented
{ 10 the American Congress II viii prove
more far-reaching in It's provisions and
disastrous in the results that must OF
| necessity follow il it shonld be enacted
/ into law than any act ever passed by Con-
/ grcss.
The bill is framed upon the idea and
/ the assumption that Con~ress enters upon
/ the government Cf Porto Rico unrestrein-
cd by the provisions Of the Constitution.
This we deny. Those Of us who opposz
this measure, ] believe. without exception
maintain that the bill cannot be euacte-