Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-03-01

alOfS VINO were unable, Oh account Vi
the meeting of the democratic national
committee, to attend the session, Sen
ator Penrose of Pennsylvania rcfrained
from calling up the Quay case.
Washington, FEB 22.-The debate on
ahe Porto Rican tariff bill brought ont
several notable speeches in the house,
including one by Mr. Grosvenor rep,
Ohio), who answered "A number Of ques-
lions as to the attitude OF the presi-
dent; another by Mccall (Mass.), the
republican member Of the ways and
means committee, who dissented from
the majority report Mr. Mccall
said he regretted greatly that
he could not agree with his col
leagues rs to the pending bill but he
was compelled to dissent because it
involved nothing less than the PROPOSE
ton that congress in dealing with the
territories Of the United States had alb
solute power unfettered by any limi-
tatlons OF the constitution. "Our rev.
olution," he said, was based on the
to permanently levy taxes upon an
other community and the prime motive
which led to the establishment Of the
constitution was the desire to do away
with barriers upon trade, which were
set up on frontiers of each state, 80
that trade might be freely carried on
throughout the dominion Of the United
States. As our government Is not a
simple and elementary government. but
one Of limited powers and under a
and create barriers within our domln
ion against trade should, in view OF
our history before the adoption of the
constitution, be most strictly con-
strucd, The power Of taxation and
the method OF its exercise are con-
Icrred in the same clause II congress
has power to levy duties over the area
comprising the territories. then the
rule OF uniformity applies to that
same area, This is In accordance with
the primary rules of construction. But
the decisions Of the supreme court put
Marshall as great a jurlst AZ ever sat
upon the bench. declared in the case Of
marlborough vs.. Blake that the rule
of uniformity In the imposition of du-
ties extended to the territories. The
fantastic theory which has been dis
eighteen months holds that this opIn-
ion of Marshall's was mere dlctum
and that the District of Columbia, in
regard to which the decision was
rendered. got under the constitution by
some process which madc II different
from mere territory third Of a cen
tury after the Ioughhorough case tho
supreme court again, when California
became territory, decided that the
rule of uniformity would apply to 1t.
Here are two different decisions, a
generation apart, 10y our highest court.
each rendered wht II the court was com,
posed Of entirely different justices,
specifically holding THAT the rule of
uniformity In imposts applies to terri
tories and those decisions stand abso-
mtcly uncontradictcd. And yet in the
face OF those decisions we, who have
taken an oath to protect and defend the
constitution, are asked to levy dutiCs
against an American territory II con-
gress Is not bound by these limitations
bound by any limitation upon its power
IN the constitution The ease is con-
elusive so far as judicial authority Is
concerned aud when we regard the cir
cumstanccs out Of what our govern
mcnt and constitution spraug, the
words of the taxing power ana direct
adjudication of their meaning. a lune
line of authorities which deny the cN-
istcncc of absolute power in congress
ii is clear that the theory of dcspoti,
power Is absolutely rcpuguaut 10 oul
| institutions, But we are asket
to pass this htll because some
body has called in question on
/ constitutional right to do Ii
Rut il you are going to pass uuius
measures merely to show YOU
strength, why not begin by sheurins
Your wolves, New Mexico. Arizona
aud Alaska, instead Of sheartng tht
poor little pet lamb of Porto Rico
We have had one decision of the su
preme court rendered in times Of grea
political stress, that the black mar
had no rights which the white MAJ
was bound to respect and this conntr,
was dcluged with blood to wash tina
decision from our laws, Now we ar
asked 10 lay the foundation for moe
ease with the weight OF congress be
hind II and ask for another decisio
thai the white man ad brown man {
Porto Rico are merely our chattel
aud chat the commonest constitutions
right secured to the men that trea
nur soil does not belong Ia them a
though they are under our dag, w
impose hy this bill A certain per cen
t Of duties upon goods passing to an