The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-12
Sensational Declaration of Mr. Lorimer, of Iui-
nois Upon Passage of the Puerto
Rican Bill
Columbia Shamefully Bedecked, May Lose the
Gem Which Is to Her What Virtue Is
to Noble Women

under which the house acted. One of the
most dramatic features of the debate was
the reading, by Mr.. Richardson, minority
leader, of the original opinion of Charles
E. Magoon, the legal adviser Of the war
department, in favor of the view that the
constitution extend over Puerto Rico ex
propre vigore
Mr.. Dolliver Qo), in reply called Mr.
Magoon clerk, who tried to overrule the
great lawyer at the head of the war de-
partment
Mr.. Warner QlL), Crumpacker Qnd),
Mccall (Mass.) and Lorimer Ill), all Re-
publicans, made speeches against the mo-
ton to concur
ARGUED AGAINST BILL.
Mr.. Jones Wa.) followed on the Demo-
cratic side. He devoted himself principal
1y to the civil government features of the
bill. Replying to Mr. Watson's inquiry as
to what the Democrats would do. he said
II they could they would give to the in
habitants of Puerto Rico a representative
free government, with the same rights
privileges and immunities enjoyed bv
every American citizen.
Mr.. Warner Qll) said the bill was a.
breach of trust. 1t was more objection
able as it came back from the senate than
as it left the house. 1t would create a.
righteous revolution.
The proposed measure, submit" he
SAID In conclusion, ''is dangerous de-
parture from the lifelong policy of the
united states, and If adopted no
one can tell what the result will
be. They cannot become a part of
US as they cannot have any assurance of
their status or treatment We might as
well write upon our borders: All hope
abandon, ye who enter here With due
respect for the opinion of those from
Whom l differ he said, 'in nv iudr,
ment this house made a mistake in mass,
ing the tariff feature of this hill and
now, having the opportunity, it should
correct that mistake. in my Judgment 4
Is an oppression, and as a Republican
shau vote against 1t in whatever shape
or company it Is submitted"
Mr.. Crumpacker Qnd), in the nfnutA
allowed him, argued that the bill was
fundamentally wrong, contrary to the
highest traditions Of the party to which
he belonged. The first platform Of the
Republican palt ty, he said, declared that
the constitution carried political liberty
TO the people of the territories as we'll as
the states and that declaration was as
CRISIS IN HISTORY.
Mr.. Lorimer Qll.) delivered a ten-min-
ute speech in opposition to the bill which
ELECTED frequent applause from the op-
position. He said:
i am convinced that we can treat the
people Of Puerto Rico as we do the peo-
pie of New Mexico, Arizona or Alaska,
without in any. way affecting our in
dustry, progress and civilization And
the benefit will be mutual. Therefore,
favor retaining the island and extending
to 1t all the rights and privileges of
American citizenship as enjoyed by the
people in our other territories and there
by keep the pledge made to the people of
the islands by Cen. Miles. The people
of the United States rightfully expect and
demand that this shall be done
Mr.. Speaker" said he in conclusion,
L think we have reached the crisis in
our history, l think We need a liberty
revival. If we are true to ourselves we
must have 1t. If we are to be untrue
then the ultimate penalty will be disso-
luton of our republican institutions. A
nation which surTenders It's basic prin,
ciples cannot survive. 1 am not an
alarmist; I do not think the dissolution
VIII come In our day or generation, such
things work slowly. but they are IN
evitable. l doubt not that we will have
our ldV OF grandeur that Will eclipse that
of Ancient Rome
Columbia, If shamefully bedecked with
the precious pearl of the Antilles and the
gems of the Pacific and the Orient, NAV
excite for a time such alteration as is
won by richness and voluptuousness.
But the gem of liberty, which is to her
what virtue is to women, will have faded
before her peoples eyes. What can
make up for that loss to those that
really love her. to those who look upon
her starry emblem as the symbol of God
given rights, and not as "a commercial
asset?'
Mr.. Payne, the Republican floor leader,
closed the debate with a vigorous speech
in which he said he Was ready to submit
the issue involved In the pending bill to
the common people Of the country.
The proudest act of my life he said,
'is my connection with this bill from
start to finish" prolonged applause on
the Republican side)
AT o'clock the house, under the terms
of the special order, proceeded to Vnte.
The roll call was followed with intense
interest. The only demonstrations oc-
CURED when Mr.. Henry c. Smith (Michl
voted no." and when the speaker dl-
rected the clerk to call mis- name and
answered AYE" and when the speaker
announced the passage of the bill, yeas
ISL; nays, 1853; present and not voting, II,
the Republicans cheered for several min