Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1900-02-23

crown them with glory of American
citizenship, In the meantime, give
them all the rights accor ded to our
people under the constitution con-
sistent with their best interests and
and happiness.
"Wh at shall we do with the Phil
lippine? First, stamp out insurrec-
tion and restore law and order.
Then investigate restore law and
order. Then investigate and legis-
late with caution all ways remember
their welfare and our own
MR.. RICHARDSON REPLIES
Mr.. Richardson CTenn. I, the lead
er of the minority, made the opening
argument in opposition to the meas
ure. 81 am not an alarmist," said
he, but in my judgement the pend
ing bill is more dangerous to the
liberties of the people of this repub-
lie than any measure before serious
ly presented to the American Con-
gress. 1t will prove more far reach
ing in It's provisions and disastrous
in the results than must of necessity
follow if it should be enacted into
law, than any act ever passed by
Congress.
The bill is framed upon the idea
and assumption that Congress enters
upon the government gh Porto Rico
unrestrained by the yrrovisions of the
con stitution. THIS we deny. Those
OF us who oppose this measure,
believe without exception. maintain
that the bill cannot be enacted into
law without a total disregard and
violation of not simply the spirit,
but tie express letter of the con.
stitution. The louisiana territory,
Florida and Texas, California, New
Mexico, Oregon and Alaska have all
been acquired under our constitution
witho ut jar or strain to any of its
wise and 'benefcent provisions. and
without demand for its amendment.
Every foes of this vast domain was
acquired and annexed under Demo
cratic Presidents.
"The Democratic party has always
favored proper expansion. Those of
us opposing this measure are not
basing our opposition to it on the
ground that it is a measure Of ex-
pansion.
This is not a measure of expan-
sion. Legislation by Congress for
the island at once makes it a part of
the United States. If this passes, it
must follow that it is then a part of
the United States. This being true,
the proposition which this bill carries
for unequal taxation of the island as
a portion of the United States. The
opposition to this bill plants itself
upon this ground. The measure is
Imperialism itself. In the former
acquisition to which have referred,
no such measure as the pending one
was ever proposed, or deemed neces-
sary."
Mr.. Richardson proceeded with
arguments to prove that the constl-
tuition extended over our new pos
session, quoting numerous decisions
OF the Supreme Court of his conten-
ton. He said the passage ofthe bill
would be an act of bad faith to the
Porto Ricans.
"Let u.s." he appealed. "vote
down this most dangerous bill. In
my opinion, not solitary Demo
cratic vote in this chamber will be
recorded in its favor. All will
stand by the Union and the con-
stitution."
A CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENT
Mr.. Dalzell PA. second ranking
majority member Of the Ways and
Means Committee, made a close
legal and constitutional argument in
support OF the contention of the
majority that the constitution did
not extend over our new possessions.
Mr.. Dalzell expressed his op.
position to sfree trade with Porto
Rico at this time. No one could tell
what industries there would be, nor
how tney would affect our people.
If we must have free trade with
Porto Rico, we must with the Phil.
lipines. The result might be the
planting of immense areas of sugar
|