Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-20
Mr.. MORGAN SPEAKS
Addresses the Senate on the Status
of Porto Rico.
REGARDS NATIVES As FELLOW CITIZENS
Representative SuIzer Attacks the
Administration.
LOUD BILL TAKEN VI

When the Senate convened today Mr.. Nc
Comas tMd), representing majority of the
committee on privileges and elections, pre-
scented a report and resolution declaring
Mr. Scott CIV. Va) to be entitled to his seat
in the Senate. The resolution was placed on
the calendar. Mr.. McComas stated that
Mr. Pettus (A1a.) would present minority
report.
The Senate declined to concur in the
amendment OF the House to the resolution
disposing of the space in the Capitol for
Teriy occupied by the Library of Congress.
and asked for a conference. Messrs
Spooner. Elkins and Cockren were named
as conferees on the part of the Senate.
An interesting colloquy arose over a re-
quest of Mr. Pettigrew IS. d. for the print
Ing document of a collection of sayings
and writings of prominent statesmen of this
country. He read some of the sayings,
which he referred to as political axioms.
Whose are these wise savings and aphor-
isms?' inquired Mr.. Hale (Me.).
I'm read another of them responded
Mr.. Pettigrew, and doubtless the senator,
with his wide knowledge, will recognize
the author
He then read paragraph relating to the
changing of coats by political parties.
Suu Mr.. Hale failed to recall the author
and inquired whether this collection Of
eraI.
THE one I have just read" said Mr.. Pet
tigrew. was written by Abraham Lincoln
in letter to the republicans of Boston In
rssponse to a request to participate in a
celebration of Jefferson's birthday"
I'm not going to object" said Mr.. Hale.
but I'd Ike to know who complied this
valuable collection of sayings"
Mr.. Pettigrew replied that he himself had
prepared the collection.
After a running colloquy with Mr..
Spooner. Mr. Pettigrew renewed his re-
quest.
Mr. Sswell On. j. objected. insisting that
the uiStter should be passed upon by a
Senate committee.
Mr.. Pettigrew then withdrew his request,
declaring that the committee on printing,
TO which the document would have 70 go.
was a graveyard"
Various Bills Passed.
Bills were then passed as follows: In
creasing the appropriation for public
building at Seattle to $4,000; to pay s1O,-
700 to VIM. c. Dodge for cartridge load
ing machine and rights thereto; for the re-
lief Of the legal representatives Of Merrick
Merrick < Cope; providing for the use by
the nited States of devices invented by
its naval officers while engaged in its serv-
ices and covered by letters patent; to
amend section 44iJ of title 80 of the Re-
yised Statutes Of the United States relating
Ia tn. licensing of officers of steam vessels:
for The relief OF Avery d. Babcock and wife
ef Oregon; to reimburse certain persons
who expended money and furnished serv-
Ices and supplies in repelling invasions
and SupDressing Indian hostilities within
the territorial limits of the present state
II Nevada for the relief of Virginia l.
Mulian If Annapolis. Md; for the relief of
W m y Richards. late surveyor general of
W yVming. authorizing the Secretary of the
Treasury to fix the salaries of the deputy
collectors OF customs at the SUPPORTS of
Tacoma and Seattle. Wash and repeating
an laws Inconsistent Herewith
- Mr. Morgan ON Porto Rico.
When. in the consideration of the bills on
the calendar. the measure providing a form
of government and tariff for Porto Rico
wars reached. Mr.. Morgan of Alabama an
n"unceh his desire to speak upon it. The
Special topic of his discussion was the
question of the extension of the Constitu-
tion over territory acquired by the United
States
Comparing our authority in Cuba and in
Porto Rico. Mr.. Morgan declared that re-
sistance to American authority in Cuba
would he as much rebellion as IL is in the
Philippines. The national power must con-
tinue To exist in all of the acquired islands
until Congress should legisIare in their ra
gard.
The world. he declared must he
amused at our discussion of the question
whether the Philippines are part of the
I Luteu StdteS. Wnlle We are voting armies.
supplies and money to suppress the insur-
rection OF one of the many tribes in those
islands.
MI. Morgan said the question presented
TO the nited States was fourfold
i. Shall Congress provide civil gov
ernment for the Island of Porto Rico2
< Shall We leave the island to its present
form of government?
2. Shall We abandon il and recooniza it's
independence?
4. Shall we suffer It to float out among
nations as a derelict TO be picked up or
captured?
As TO the islands acquired from Spain.
Mr.. Morgan maintained that the treaty Of
Paris was the supreme law of the land
referring TO Cuba, Mr.. Morgan said: That
treaty requires US TO occupy the island. We
cannot abandon Cuba without disgrace and
without violating our pledged faith to
Spain Nor can We abandon Porto Rico or
the Philippines without inviting anarchy
ard tnteruecine war
The abandonment of the Islands being
impossible as Mr.. Morgan construed the
treaty OF Paris. IL was necessary for Com
sress TO provide schemes of government
Tor them The President would govern
the islands until Congress should other
wise provide. Inasmuch as the Constitu-
ZION operates upon all officers of the United
States 20 restrain them from abuse OF con-
1rol. naturally the Constitution extended
over Porto Rico and the Philippines. so far
at least. as related to and regulated the
islands
Discussing the citizenship of the iuhahi-
Ianis IF Porto Rico. Mr.. Morgan said: The
history o! the country is conclusive upon
ns IN this matter. The inhabitants of Por-
I" Ric' ought 10 be given as full CITIZEN
ship a. any native inhabitants of country
annexed heretofore. We have not debarred
from citizenship any native inhabtant of
any territory annexed. Those who have
not chosen 10 retain their former alleCi-
ancr nave become citizcns of the United
States. without regard to race or any other
"oIditnn- / believe if Porto Rico is n
foreign country we cannot pass laws to be
enforced there"
Concerning the tax laws of Porto Rico
Mr. Morgan maintained that Congress
should provide laws that should be uniform
throughout the United States and Porto
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 part of our
territory because II might become new
home for many cOlored people of the south;
ne welcomed IL as a now market for Amer
lean silver mines; he welcomed 1t as a new
and great American mart al Manila; he
welcomed II, too. an extension of the
power and influence of the United States
The result Of this extension of power and
influence no man ever contemplated, and
for which no single. man can claim the
credit