Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1900-03-22
PUERTO RiCANS ARE
ALREADY CITIZENS
Senator Morgan Declares islanders
Are Entitled to All Our Rights
and Privileges.
ARE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION
United States Organic Law Has Elk
tended, to IL Certain Extent,
Over All Our island Pos
sessions.

Washington, March 22.-DlScuSSlOn
of the Puerto Rican government and
tariff bill was resumed in the senate
yesterday, Senator Morgan, of Ala
bama, presenting a speech dealing
with some of the constitutional phases
of the measure. He maintained that
as the treaty of Paris was the 5u-
preme law of the land, it was impos-
siblc for the United States to abandon
either Puerto Rico on the Philippines.
He held also that he constitution eN-
tended, to certain eNtent,'slt least,
over all the acquired territory, and
that the inhabitants of Puerto Rico
were citizens of the United States.
Comparing our authority in Cuba
and in Puerto Rico, Senator Morgan
declared that resistance to American
authority in Cuba would be as much
rebellion as it is in the Philippines.
The national power must continue to
exist in all of the islands until con-
grcss should legislate in their regard.
1.-The world" he declared, "must he
amused at our discussion OF the ques-
ton as to whether the Philippines are
part of the United States, while we
are voting arms, supplies and money
to suppress the Instruction of one of
the many tribes in those islands,"
Senator Morgan said the question
presented to the United States was
fourfold:
/. Shall congress provide civil gov
eminent for the island of Puerto Rico.
9. Shall we leave the island to it's
present form of government?
3. Shall we abandon it and recog-
nize its independence :
4. Shall we suffer it to float out
among nations as a derclict, to be
picked up or captured.
Referring to Cuba, Senator Morgan
said:
THE Paris treaty requires us to oc-
cupy the island. We cannot abandon
Cuba without disgrace and without
violating new pledged faith to Spain.
Nor can we abandon Puerto Rico or
the Philippines without inviting am
archy and internccine war;
The abandonment OF the islands be-
ing impossible, as Senator Morgan
construed the treaty of Paris, it was
necessary for congress to provide
schemes of government for them. The
president would govern the islands
until congress should otherwise pro-
vide. Inasmuch as the constitution
operates ON all officers of the United
Stcfps tn, nct I.,,,
control, naturally the constitution ex-
ippines, so far, at least. as it relates to
and regulates the duties of the United
States officials i'm those islands.
Discussing the citizenship of the in
habitants of Puerto Rico, Senator
Morgan said:
The history of the country is con-
elusive upon us in this matter. The
inhabitants of Puerto Rico ought to
be given as full citizenship as any ma
tive inhabitants of country annexed
heretofore. We have not barred from
citizenship any native Inhabitants of
any territory annexed Those who
have not chosen to retain their former
alliance have become citizens of the
United States without regard to race
or any other condition. | believe if
Puerto Rico is foreign territory we
cannot pass laws to be enforced
there"
Concerning the tax laws Of Puerto
Rico, Senator Morgan maintained that
congress should provide laws that
should be uniform throughout the
United States and Puerto Rico.
In conclusion, he said that no
bounds to our territory were set by
the constitution and no limits were
set to our expansion. He welcomed
the Philippines as u part of our terri
tory, because it MIGHT become a new
home for many colored people of the
south: he welcomed il as new mar
lSet for American silver mines; he well
coined it as a new and great Amcri-
can mart at Manila. lie welcomed it,,
too, as an extension of the power and
influence of the United States. For
this extension of power and influence
no single man can claim the credit
!, "If can find no man who is enti-
tied TO the credit of this great expan-
sion.' said he. 81 must look aloft with
a realization that it is the hand Ct
Cod