The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28
TODAY THE VOTE ON
PUERTO R|CAN BILL.
Continued from Page One.

not be imposed without the Jurisdiction of
our country; that life. liberty and the
pursuit of happiness are the lnalienable
right Of all within our jurisdiction
Clayton Reads n Letter From Payne.
Clayton who followed Carmack, created
much amusement and enthusiasm by
reading a letter written by Chairman
Payne TO w. III. Curtis, Of Palmyra, N
r., January "a. 1900, In which he advo-
Gated free trade with Puerto Rico on the
ground that II would give relief to the
stricken island The letter also contain
ed the following reference to the Philip
pines:
'Under the treaty the Philippines are 10
have free trade with Spain for ten years.
We could not extend these tariff laws TO
the Philippine Islands, even II we would"
Clayton asked that this letter and an
extract from Payne's speech in support of
the bill be printed in parallel columns in
the Record
Payne expressed the hope that there
would be no objection.
Kieberg ana Peary also opposed the bill.
De Almond Against Expansion.
De Almond said this bill proposed to set
aside the constitution, not for the pur-
pose OF doing something philanthropic, but
in the interest of the partial or complete
enslavement OF a helpless people. This
change of front had been brought about
By the influence of the agents OF mighty
corporations. The Puerto Ricans were TO
be crucifed In order that the cross might
be raised in the Philippines We should
withdraw from the archipelago and leave
100000 tropical people TO work out their
own salvation. I'm my opinion" said he,
"that Is what we ought to do" Demo
cratic app,ause).
But II they are held they must be held
under the constitution. The inhabitants
must be American citizens, black, brown
and yellow. and ultimately be represented
upon this floor with more representatives
than all OF New England"
Casnon's views ON the Consultation.
Cannon followed De Almond He spoke
with much earnestness. He was old
enough. he said, 10 Judge time by events
and he had grown to distrust those who
came when great public crises arose.
taking OF the constitutionality OF meas
ures 10 meet them. He remembered when
Z president, with n Whole party behind
him. asserted that there WAS no power
under the constitution 10 coerce a sover-
cign state. when those states were already
In arms prepared TO shoot the life out Of
what was left OF the Union The consti-
tuition. he said was the bockier OF those
who attempted to embarraas the govern
ment during the war 1t was the shield
Of valiandin CHAM and Voorhees,.
Cannon said he, Tor one. believed the
constitution was made for the people and
the country and not the people and the
country for the constitution. tApplause.)
Never thank God" said he, had there
been day or hour during the admins
,Iation of Jefferson. Jackson, Polk. Lin
coin or Mckinney when In crisis a way
had not been found to meet It,"
when he heard the gentleman from
Missouri announce the doctrine that We
should forsake the Filipinos in their help
less condition no had wondered why that
gentleman had not voted against tho $40
0Oo.0po appropriation to pay Spain for these
islands
Doiliver said that he was not frightened
by the Democratic predictions OF disaster
or Of the effect OF an appeal TO the popu-
lar fear OF free trade. however small.
even when presented by the managers
OF Democratic politics In the United
States. Free trade with Puerto Rico
could introduce no element Of alarm into
cry had done the Republican party at
least great service. for II had put a
stop to the INSCRIPTIONS agitation that
was filling the United States with the
fear that In taking possession OF vast
tropical areas and territories the United
States were found helpless to deal with
them. except on terms of such political
Intimacy and commercial equality as the
constitution preacribes for the people OF
the United States.
Can do what Jeffe~sow Dtd.
'He did vote against IT," interposed
Wheeler tkyl.
Then he Il one OF the thirty four con-
sistents." replied Cannon
what about tho rest of YOU? II held
the views you do, I'd quit
The Administrators Policy.
Continuing. Cannon said he believed we
could DO what jefferson did when h-
signed the act which was an exact copy
% the Spooner bill, now before the sem
ate. to vest the legislative, executive and
judicial power over the Louisiana territory
In him untii the iaSurrectton was put
down.
''what 10 the Administrators policyf'
asked Norton lohiOl.
"I'u tell you,' responded Cannon. AS
10 Puerto Rico. do the only thing that
can bring relief Go the island pass the bill,
As 10 the Philippines. continue 10 do az
We are doing~pat down the insurFectiou
and restore law and order," tApplause)
I'm for keeping the Philippines" he
continued under the treaty and Under
The constitution, subject to- the legislation
az the country that owns them. and work
cut good results for them aud good re-
suits for us, III risk the possible verdict
on that issue"
The Constitution Not Trap.
Proceeding Cannon took az an illustra-
tien the possibility that We might have 10
buy strip Of territory through which TO
build the Nicaragua canal immediately
the cry would be raised tina; we could not
40 Il because these revoiuuauists would
Immediately become fell-nedged citiseas.
II Was ridiculous
NE" SAID Cannon. the fathers OF our
country, in building the constitution, did
net build trap"
scoats the Trust Cry.
Turning directly 20 the hih. Cannon