Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-20
PORTO RIOAN TARIFF
WAS UNDER DEBATE,
spoke For and Daizeii Against
the Measure.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 90. Debate upon
the Porto Ricon tariff bill which is to con.
tinue throughout the week and possibly
longer, opened in the house. On all
hands it is agreed that this bill, though
it applies only to Porto Rico, involving
rs it does the question of the power to
govern cur new possessions outside tho
limitations of tho constitution is the
most important measure which will
come before this congress. Interest in
the bill is intense among the members
on both sides and there is urgent de.
mand for time. The DemocA.ts are
solidly arrayed against the measure and
they will have powerful support from
the Republican side in Mr. Mccall, Of
Massachusetts, and Mr.. Littleiield, Of
Maine, both able and forceful debaters
How far the Republican disatfection
will extend, or whether it will endanger
the bill, it is impossible to say at this
time.
Mr.. Payne, the floor leader Of tho ma.
jority, refused to agree that a vote
should be taken upon substitute to be
offered by the minority. This substi-
tute, which has not vet been framed,
will be in substance the bill originally
introduced by Mr., Payne, providing for
free trade with Porto Rico, with the ex-
tension Of customs and revenue laws of
the United States over tho island
Tho debate lacked exciting features
Tt was in the nature of long range
bombardment before tho clash of the
contending forces in battle Mr.. Payne
opened with general argument in sup.
port ot the bill. going largely into the
material side Of the situation which the
bill is designed to relieve. Mr., Richard
son, the Democratic leader, joined issue
upon the power Of congress to enact the
proposed legislation, and Mr.. Dalzell,
of Pennsylvania, backed up Mr.. Payne
with constitutional and legal argu.
ment. All three We're listened to with
close attention.
Mr.. Richardson (Tenn.) the leader of
tho minority, made tho opening nrgu.
ment in opposition to tho measure. II
am not an alarmist, s.id lie. "brt in
my Judgment tho pondi,sy bill is more
dangerous 10 the lito-ties of the people
of this repablic tEan any measucc be-
fore seriously presented to tho Ama'tcan
cong. ess II will provo for roaoh!ng in
It's provisions and disastrous IN the 10.
fosults that must OF neccss;ry follow II
IL should bo enacted into law thAn any
not ever passed by congress.
THE bill is framed upon the idea and
assumption that tcon gress enters apon tho
government of Porto Rico unresTained
by tho provisions OF the constitution.
This we dony.. Those OF us who oppose
this measure, l believe, without cxcep.
tion, maintain that the bill cannot bo
enacted into law without a total dimr-
,.1 ,s1 ris.I, OF az.
spirit, bue the express letter Of the CON.
stitution."
Mr.. Dalzell (Pa.), second ranking
majority member of the ways and means
committee, followed in close legal and
constitutional argument In support of
the contention of the majority that the
constitution did not extend over our
now possessions.
Turning to the question OF tho consent
Of the governed, Mr., Dalxoll asserted
that in representative republic the
right to govern did no. depend on the
consent OF the governed. The methods
OF government prescribed by the pr!rci.
pies OF Anglican liberty as practiced IN
the United States would be grotesqpe IN
the Philippine is!andS and would bring
on their people no advantage, They
woaid be in point OF fact impossible Of
exercise.
"The guarantees OF hheYty,rhe coz,
cluded. do not eXist alone in TIE cons,,,
tution os the Cnited STATES, They 10
not depend npcn tne great :".eres. &c!
tae!:: strength ana perpetyaMy ~heg
weS.a continue 90 hive anG ao..r,sL i.
tnai constitution were agn...l.aieG
Tsey are The ~ aesusctihlo hcr:.ags oi
hsmar!ty."