The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-20


allurng promises held out to the ;Ehab-
itants Of the island by the United States
ST know it is in the power and discre-
ton Of the house TO pass measures d.
rectly contrary 10 the decisions OF the
supreme court and also in open disregard
of the advice Of the chief executive;
nevertheless, feel II is my duty, before
such action IS taken, to bring to the
minds and attention Of the members the
| decisions OF the court and the advice of
| the president. I shall not assume that II
gentlemen are reckless enough TO disre-
gard the former. they viii the latter We
have been fully informed as to the pain
| full conditions of the people in Porto Rico
by the president, by the testimony OF
officers Of the government who have been
there and by the evidence Of numerous
witnesses who have testified as 70 the
conditions, before several committees OF
this body. Shall we not, then. do our
plain duty? Let Us vote down this most
dangerous bill. I am proud TO be able to
say that in my opinion. when the roll Is
called on its passa gke. not a single DEM
ocratic vote in this chamber win be re-
corded in its favor All will stand by the
union and the constitution. We revere
that instrument as the best ever devised
by the brain and intellect Of man. II
has been the hope AID the stay of our
people for more than,r hundred years"
Mr.. Richardson spoke over an hour.
He was several times interrupted by ap-
plause from this side Of the house. This
applause was especially vigorous when
he said that every Democratic vote would
be cast against the bill.
Mr.. Dalzell Pa). the ranking ma jority
member of the ways and means commit
tee, followed in a close legal and consd-
tutiona1 argument IN support OF the con-
tention O. the majority that the consti-
tuition did not extend over our new pos
sessions. by the treaty with Spain"
said Mr. Dalzell. eve acquired the islands
constituting the Philippines and Porto
Rico, Attempting now for the first time
to legisIate for one Of these new possess
sions. we are told we must be governed
by one fixed. unvarying system. and that
the system which applies 20 the United
States itself"
1t was an amazing proposition, involv-
ing three prominent features, free trade,
citizenship and navigation laws. IL would
be better 10 let the islands 60.
Taking up the contention that upon the
acquisition Of new territory the coustitu-
ton is extended thereto ex-Droprio visore.
Mr.. Dalzeu cited the case of the Ameri-
can Insurance company versus Canter, in
which Whipple and Webster met this very
argument IN the case OF Florida. Was il
by the act Of cession? Was there any
principle I'm the law OF nations which upon
the act of cession or conquest gives 70
the ceded or conquered country a right
TO participate in the privileges Of the con
stitution of the parent country such
right never had been asserted IN history.
The constitution was established by the
people OF the United States for the United
States. 1t provided for the future admis-
sion Of countries into the union and ex-
pressly conferred upon congress the power
of governing them as territories until
they were admitted as states. II the con-
stitution was in force in Florida. why was
it necessary to pass an act Of congress
extending several OF the laws OF the Unit
ed States 10 Florida? Why aid congress
designate particular laws such as the
crimes act, the slave trade and revenue
acts and introduce them as laws into
Florida II the inhabitants Of Florida were
entitled to them on the act Of cesFion2
IF this reasoning Of Webster's be not
correct" said Mr.. DaIzeH. then, It being
impossible 10 govern these possessions as
the United States IS governed, We must
either have a constitutional amendment
abandon the Islands or let the president
4sls
applies to congress applies to the presi-
dent"
Mr.. DaIzeIl expressed his opposition
to free trade with Porto Rico 1T this
time. ew must be generous 20 Porto
Rico. bat just 70 ourselves. II We must
have free trade with Porto Rico. re lzust
with the Philippines. The result ni ght
be the planting q immense areas % s3-
gar ard tobacco. TIE low wages paid
would be amenace 70 labor IN this coun-
try.
Turning 70 the question 81 the consent
Of the governed. Mr.. Dalzen asserted that
in a representatige republic. ne right %
govern "a not depend On the consent q
the governed. The methods % govern
ment prescribed By th principles Or
American liberty. a. prscticed 10 TIE
United States. would be gr5tssqus % the
Philippine isisnds sn5 woBlG bring 20
their people no asvaHiaes The xoaid
IL. in point ~ fsct impsossfh.e q szsT-
ciss. The guarantees - liberty" he coz
Guided. 10 not exist alone 81 Ere cozEti-
tgton O. The United states. Tasg Do no.
depend upon thst great Instrument sor
their strength ard perpefuity. Taes void
contInns 70 live and hos-.sa & THAI con
stit1tion we've aznsaiats-s Thsy are the
sHdaetrgc.sbls hsxltags ~ humanity
M Dalze1 -sceivss3 az oEatton Shsa
be azished-
The house fhsa. ~ s'cIoek. took q
recess unts. o-clock. tae evening SESSION
20 ~ devoted = Drivsse pension issia.s-
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Nothing va zceonp.is5sd ~ TIE Sigh
session q the aozse 'shlra VA = has
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Q esock. 70 ths sge~ 81 gsslizg 5 gaggzzn.
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SANE Thing ~ THE SENATE /