Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-15

Soon after the Senate convened, to-
day, President Pro TEN Frye an
nounced his signature to the bill fixing
the standard OF value of money of the
United States. The measure then went
to the President for his signature.
Turner Wash, who began yesterdays
speech on the Puerto Rican bill, yielded
the floor to Teller, Col.
Teller said the constitutional Dues
tons involved in the discussion of the
pending bill had been thoroughly elab-
Grated and discussed, but he believed
them of sufficient Importance to be
further considered. His only purpose,
today, was to say in a general way
that he had no doubt Of the power Of
the government to govern the posses
sions it had achieved
Teller declared he could find ample
authority for legislation relating to our
insular ssessions-authority not de-
| rived from the constitution, and | do
not believe" said Teller that the con-
stitution is in force in any of our new
possessions. Congress may, l believe
is. the supreme author as to the max
ing of legislation as far as acquired
territory is concerned. OF course in
enacting Legislation Congress is bound
BY certain fundamental principles that
underlie this free government.
My own belief is that we can make
the acquired territories a part of the
United States or not as Congress may
see fit. II we do not make them a
part of the United States ! believe we
may hold them as colonies; that we
have the same power to hold them as
Great Britain has to hold colonial pos
sessions
Teller did not believe that ii was nee
essary to make the acquired territory
a part of the United States in the sense
that it should be regarded and gov
erned as incipient states Of the Union.
Puerto Rico might. he thought, be held
under the sovereignty of the United
States and the people, subject to our
dictation, might make the laws of the
island and the United States might
determine what the inhabitants should
or should not do. He found no legal
difficulty either with the acquired pos
sessions or their inhabitants.
II do not want to make Puerto Rico
and the Philippines part Of the
United States and l do not want to
make their inha bitants citizens of the
United States" said Teller. He added
that the relation he would establish
between the United States and the ac-
quired territory. was entirely consis-
tent with the history. traditions and
principles Of this country. If he had
time, he believed he could prove that
the fathers Of the country contemplate
ed the acquisition and the holding Of
colonies by the United States.
Teller said difficulties might grow
out Of the problem presented, but ne
knew that the American people would
deal with the problem with fairness,
with justice and with courage"
These islands are not part Of the
United States. today. We don't want
the inhabitants of these islands to be
made citizens of the United States.
That is what this bill does, and If there
We're nothing else against it, that alone
would induce me to vote against it,"
Teller said he desired all possible
and reasonable advantages and priv
ileges to be extended to those people,
but he would not have them partici-
pate in the election Of a President of
the United States, nor would he give
them representation in Congress. If
Continued on page 80