The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-31

The constitutional Question.

The Constitutional Question.
Pettus offered as a substitute for section
IL provision declaring that 'the constitu-
ton and the laws of the United States
shall have the same force and effect In
Puerto Rico as in other territories of the
United States"
Allen discussed the constitutional ques-
tions involved in the pending bill. He
maintained that no man who is familiar
with the constitution could honestly con-
tend that 1t did not extend of its own
vigor over our acquired territory. In the
course Of the argument Spooner asked
Allen whether the people of the Philip
pines were citizens OF the United States
Yes" replied Allen. But we do not
have to keep them. Does the senator
(SpooneD say they are not citizens of the
United States?"
1.-THE senator from Wisconsin," replied
Spooner. lis of the opinion that they are
not"
"Will the senator tell us what they are?"
interrupted Allen.
They are colonists, said Spooner
do they owe allegiance to the United
States government asked Allen.
ALIENS" replied Spooner, lowe a quail
fed allegiance"
NO" protested Allen. sit is rot ale
glance that they owe. but obedience. You
can call upon them to serve in the army
or in the navy or on juries. 1t is not al
legiance"
Pettus' amendment was defeated. 10
to 80.
Lindsay's Amendment Accepted.
Lindsay offered an amendment striking
out the provision in section is that the
governor should participate In legislation
1t was not deemed wise that the governor
should be a part of the legislative power
of the island. and should at the same time
have authority to veto legislation. That,
1t was contended, would make the governor
an autocrat.
Foraker accepted the amendment.
No Territorial Government.
Allen offered an amendment the purpose
of which was to designate Puerto Rico as
territory of the United States.
II do not accept that amendment" said
Foraker I'VE do not propose to erect there
territorial form of government as such
form of government is usually under
stood"
why not?" inquired Allen.
I'VE simply have not seen At to give
the people of Puerto Rico that kind of
government replied Foraker by the
treaty OF Paris this whole matter Is vest
ed In congress, We may give them any
sort Of government we desire. | do not
believe. as the senator does that Puerto
Rico Is a part of the United States, over
which the constitution extends of it's own
lofce. ana this is where our roads part.
In the course OF spirited colloquy be-
tween Allen and Foraker principally as
to the ability of the Puerto Ricans 20 gov
ern themselves and IA to the reasons gov
erntng the committee in reporting bill OF
the kind pending, the former said he did
not expect TO get an answer TO his lues-
ton as to why Puerto Ricans were not
given a territorial form of government
THE reason is" inter1ected Foraker
that We did not want to give It TO Nom
and that f. reason enough
Allen returned 10 his point and declared
his belief that there was some hidden
purpose In providing "this enamolous con-
gressicnal government"
II resent the charge" said Foraker WITH
evident feeling. 81 deny that there
is any such thing The senator
when he speaks so is without any
warrant whatever. | do not kn0w
why the senator uses such Language which
is offensive, a. ! which | fear Ia in.eadci
to be So"
Alien disclaimed any reelection upon
Foraker and the Incident closed.
The senate then held a brief executive
session, adjourning at 4;i5 p. m.