The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-09-05
HAYES TAKES THE STUMP
BaItimore's Mayor Makes His First
Speech for fIr. Bryan.
His Logical Address in Decentralization
Rico-Taxation without Represen-
tntion-Favoritism to the Sugar
Trust-Sure Cure for the Evils

BALTIMORE. Sept. 5.-Mayor Hayes be-
gan his speechmaking for Bryan and the
Democratic ticket last night at a meeting
of the Twelfth Ward Democratic Associa-
tion.
Shortly after Bryan was nominated the
mayor announced that he would probably
take the stump for the Democratic ticket
and after his return in August from his
vacation he made known his intention to
do all in his power TO assist his party. He
has accepted several invitations to speak
at meetings to be held in the near future
The invitation last night was accepted
partly because the ass eciation is an organ
ization OF his own ward. His subject last
nigh was the policy Of the Mckinley Adj
ministration in reference to Porto Rico
Il am not extravagant," he said when
/ declare that the paramount issue in this
Presidential election is whether this coun-
try shall remain a free Republic under a
written Constitution, founded on the true
principles of sovereignty resting with the
people and the consent of the governed, or
be an Empire with force as the power of
government. The success Of the Republic
can party next November means the con-
tinuatiOn in power or party that has
thrust d government on Porto Rico in to-
tai disregard OF the principles OF free gov
eminent, in bold defiance of the safeguards
of the Federal Constitution, and has in
fiicted on the people of that island CO.
lonial government more arbitrary and
despotic than any inflicted on the colonies
of France England.
The people OF Porto Rico are self-re-
liant vaIorous, and heroic. The land is
fertile and grows coffee, tobacco. and SUI
gar The people were willing TO become
cit of m INT
eral Miles landed on the island he issued
a proclamation promising freedom and the
blessings of the liberal institutions Of our
Government. The Republican party has
made nefaTious and tyrannical attempt 10
make these people serfs. They are taxed
without representation.
The Porto Rican law gives them
a local legislature. The lower house
consists of thirty-fiye persons elected by
the Porto RiCans- The upper house-the
executive council-consists of ten per
sons appointed by the President and
United States Senate. only five of whom
must be citizens of Porto Rico What
would freemen think il the President
should appoint senate for a State or
Territory of this Union?
Porto Rico is Territory of the Unit
ed States. The Porto Ricans' rights and
prerogatives are usurped. The law holds
the inhabitants of the island 10 be citi
zens of Porto Rico. This was TO deprive
them of the constitutional guarantees Of
liberty and freedom. but the law is in
the teeth of decisions of the Supreme
Court OF the United States, which declare
that every person born in the territory
of the United States is a citizen of the
United States. The Constitution goes with
the flag.
There IS also a duty of fifteen per cent
on merchandise imported into Porto Rico
from the United States or TO the United
States from Porto Rico. This is levied
to protect the Sugar Trust against Porto
Rican Sugar. There is no such duty on
Hawaiian Sugar. but Hawaiian sugar
lands are owned by the trust The tax
was levied by Congress in which Porto
Rico has no representation
If the Porto Rican law stands, We
must abandon our Peggy Stewart Day.
The Republican party has not said one
word IN its platform OF this law. The
law is indefensible. Under the opinion OF
Chief Justice fancy il would be Illegal.
The one sure cure for The correction of
these evils is the election of Bryan
Mayor Hayes was warmly applauded and
was given a standing vote of thanks by
the association. Short addresses were also
also made by Comptroller Smith, John H.
Scott, and J. ". Bennett. The meeting
was presided over by George Morrison,
vice president OF the association, in the
absence of A. N. Boiling the president.