The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-04

tuition is there under our oaths, it is
here.
Fourth. The Constitution Of the United
States provides that all duties impOsts,
and eXcises must be uniform throughout
the United States 1t will be observed
that this limitation OF power is a part Of
the very sentence which provides that Con-
gress may levy duties. imposts. etc.
This limitation is not even separated
by a period from the grant OF power to
us. The Limitation does not apply TO
taxes but the word taxes is omitted
in the limitation. and il is provided that
Representatives and direct taxes shall be
appcrtioned among the several States, so
while il might be possible to have diff
fereut plan OF taxation in Porto Rico and
Alaska. yet when the Government goes
into the realm Of collecting impost duties
those duties must be uniform through
out the United States.
II Porto Rico is not a part OF the
United States. We ought to cover her with
the protecting arm Of the Monroe Doctrine
and let her people fix their own schedule
and we protect ourselves with the regular
tariff or treaties Of reciprocity. If Porto
Rico is a part Of the United States, as
believe the Supreme Court of the United
States has decided it is. then We have
no more right to put an impost duty be-
tween Porto Rico and the United States
than We have TO put a duty between Wash
ington and New York
Unless you can get the Supreme Court
to stultify and reverse itself, there is but
one way to levy a tariff upon the people
OF the United States to prevent their trad
ing with the rest OF the United States
You must amend the Constitution to do it.
You must strike out that clause Of the
Constitution which says all duties must
be uniform. I beg you TO count the cost
OF such an amendment
Mr. Culberson. who was the next speak
er also made an argument against the bill.
1t was his first Senate speech and he was
accorded a very close and respectful hear
ing. particularly on the Democratic side
OF the chamber. He declared the tariff
provision of the bill to be indefensible,
either on moral economic, or constitu-
tional grounds. There had been. he said,
a great change in the Republican party
OF late years. 1t had set up the new doc
trine OF commercial greed. The attempt
here was to carry into Porto Rico the
power OF the United States unaccompa-
MED by the Constitution. 1t was tarnish
on the fair fame of the Republic. The
skirmish lire Of the imperial forces had
been thrown forward.
M AAag nASV bpAiooNA INT DAAA- -
quoted the Presidents message in favor Of
a Territorial form Of Government for Porto
Rico and argued that the President could
only speak TO the Senate In one way and
as the President had not spoken to the
Senate in that way he tMr ClayD, took
the position that the President was against
the pending bill. The Senator from New
York (Mr DepeWl had advised Mr.. Clay's
colleague tMr BacOn) TO make haste ana
get on the band wagon. as there was only
tweHty-four hours left but. said Mr.. Clay,
that party falls from grace so fast that
if We want TO get on the band wagon We do
not know where 10 find it,"
Supporting the Bill.
Mr.. Ross spoke in support Of the bill
He thought it would be unwise TO extend
the Constitution to Porto Rico by act OF
Congress. and that &c would be wise 10
make haste slowly" AS 20 i.se trade
with the island, he believed that it wod.d
be established as soon as that could lie
done with safety 10 all interests involved.
The provisions establishing a tartn in
Porto Rico did not meet his approval, but
so lcng as a bill had the consensus OF tie
majority necessary for its passage men
had to yield their individual judgments.
For those reasons briefly expressed, Re
should vote for the pending measure
Mr. Teller stated some reasons Why he
voted against the bill. He said he would
not vote against il because it imposed a
duty on Porto Rican goods imported INTO
the United States He did not object TO
that lie believed that the United States
had ample power 10 maintain PorIo Rico
as a colony. and to legislate for it withoIt
making il a part Of the United states. He
81 a-H
ing 10 the old English idea Of gov-In.ng
colonies He would give the people cf
an American colony the right Of scll-gog-
ernment. He would recognize that great
fundamental principle Whicn had existed
long before the Declaration Of ILlepenl
ence-that Just powers OF government are
derived from the consent Of lSe govern cd.
Mr. Bacon described what he called the
evolution Of the bill from its first pro-
visions until the present ones were taken
up The first bill he said, had been one
establishing a free territory and free trade
for Porto Rico. and had commanded uni
verssl approval on both sides Of the cham
ber But il had been recommitted more
than once At first It had come back with
two important changes. 1t still contained
a provision recognizing the inhabitants of
Porto Rico as citizens Of the United States
and provision for Delegate in Congress,
but after another recommittal those fea-
lures had been eliminated The changes,
Mr.. Bacon said, had been necessitated by
the fact that they were required in order
TO allow a tarin to be established between
Porto Rico and the United States.
Mr. Wellington said that he had given
his full assent and approval 10 the bill
as frst reported by Mr. Foraker. because
il had contemplated a scheme Of govern
ment. under The Constitution. wise, benef-
cent and just But that bill had been dis
csrded and re.egated TO the waste basket
But the pending bill, he declared. vio-
lated eEery principle Of patriotism. good
faith and justice. Il was a Legislative
mons str0sity." and therefore he was COM
PEELED TO part from the ranks OF the Re
publican majority and to vote against the
bill The principles Of the Government
demanded his opposition TO it The OBJ
seryaton Of national honor required it, The
Constitution provided for it; and justice
and equity all pointsd the way to it.
Nr. Foraker in Reply.
Mr. Foraker. in charge OF the bill. re-
piled to the various criticisms and objec-
tions made 10 b. Tie declared that there
a