New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-03

4
stout advocate. On the whole to-day's speeches
supplied facts and arguments which convincing
ly showed the necessity. consttutionanty ana
justice well the generosity of the pro-
posed legislation.
THE DEBATE IN DETAIL.
The Senate met at II O'Clock to-day In order that
the debate the Puerto Rican bill might be ex-
tended The public galleries crowded
Mr. Vest. Of Missouri, rising to a question OF
privilege, said his return to the city, after an
absence on account of Illness. he had found that
the vote TO strike out the provision In the
Puerto Rican bill for the imposition Of Is per cent
of the Dingley duties he had been noted as absent
end not paired He explained that he had gen
era pair. which he thought sufficient Had
he been present he would have voted TO strike out
the duty Puerto Rican products He directed
attention to a notable case which he said had been
overlooked in all the arguments. sailor Named
Ross had shipped American merchantmen
from New-York TO Nagasaki. At the latter port
Re had murdered a fellow seaman on the vessels
deck and was convicted and sentenced to death
by a consular court. His sentence was commuted
to imprisonment for life in the Albany IN y
Penitentiary. He sued out a writ Of habeas
corpus the ground being that he had rot had
trial by Jury, as insured by the Constitution The
Supreme Cour, decided that he had had fair
trial and must remain IN prison; that In order to
avail himself OF right a trial by jury the
must have been within the territorial limits
Of the United States. Mr.. Vest sail he would
like any Senator TO explain how the Supreme Court
could TO that conclusion and state emphat-
iealy that within the territorial limits OF the
United States the Constitution applies without act
Of Congress or treaty stipulation. and yet agree
that different tariff be imposed en- the people
of Puerto Rico from that imposed on the people OF
Missouri. =
MR. BATE IN OPPOSITION.
Mr. Bate. of Tennessee after the Puerto Rcan
bin had been formally before the Senate, deliv-
cred his announced speech In opposition to the
handing measure He directed his argument partic-
uarly against the pending BILL but his speech en-
braced the whole question of expansion ana the
treatment by the Government and by Congress OF
tnsular possessions. He took strong ground against
the acquisition OF Spanish territory under the
Treaty. of Paris against which he voted. Il was
opposed 10 acquiring the islands of Spain. he SAID
land for that reason voted against the ratincauon
OF the Treaty of Paris am opposed TO the re-
tention Of those islands moment longer than is
necessary to re-establish order and security But
SO long as the islands are under control and so
long as our flag floats there the representative OF
our authority. 1 shall. far as may be within my
power advocate and support the extension to those
people of every privilege. night and immunity winch
the people Of the States enjoy
MR. CULLoM FOR TARIFF.
Mr. culom. Of Illinois then addressed the Sem
ate briefly I'm support Of the bill. After discussing
the situation in Puerto Rico, noting especially the
appropriation the islands inhabitants. he said
Some of friends on the other side Of the
this sum from the Puerto Ricans, put 1t in the
Treasury and then under act of Congress- auth sn
TO them, complain and crtticise the performance
Who were in fact part Of the Sugar and Tobacco
trusts. it would seem to be useless performance
e raS1 Is ohnec Sh D h sugar and tobacco
ms t e 0os Ct ha nd 7a Suing MRi the
20 recover back the amount paid which suit IN
dence. that these great corporations, trusts and
mon9poies. instead of being in favor Of the pro,
free trade between Puerto Rico and the United
States.
The fact is. this amount collected On the imports
from Puerto Rico which largely paid by the
bankers and agents OF the American Sugar Refining
Company and the Tobacco Trust, l in
formed goes back TO relieve distress and help build
up that country.
No man can truthfully say that, If this bill shall
become a law Congress is dealing lib-
orally with the people Of Puerto Rico. 1t imposes
hardships upon those people-it provides the
least possible of duty upon few things In
order raise little money TO run their govern
ment and that little only for a little while, until
they can get start IN taking care of themselves
by their own system Of taxation, at which time
absolute free trade is established between the
United States and the island
Let the truth be known. This whole free trade"
scheme is nothing earth but deception, de-
fusion and q TO make our people believe that
we are depressing poor Puerto Rico. Let the truth
be known whatever may happen. Any candid man.
think admit that this bill is in the interest
of the people of Puerto Rico
am amazed to the of msinformation
which has swept over the country as to this ques-
ton of a Puerto Rican tariff 1t is high time to
cali halt TO this wild Misrepresentation, backed
up as it is by the direct personal insstence OF
representatives Of the monopolistic interests
MIR. DEPEW'S ARGUMENT.
Mr. Depew then began the delivery Of his an
nounced speech. He vigorously supported the pend
ing measure, speaking in part follows:
Pre- lent | have haar Hcfap with
interest TO the many and very able speeches which
have been delivered upon the Puerto Rican tarih.
have y endeayoTed 70 find In them solution OF
have arisen out of the presentation of this measure
is divided into storm centres and normally placid
conditions is due TO the extended discussion of the
meaning of measure of revenue and relief
There is no division among the majority In either
house as 10 the power of Congress iegisate
this subject. The majority all agree that the Con-
these possessions and that Congress can leg
islate Tor them as IL deems wise, subject only
The Democratic party accepted the other view that
me Constitution does extend by its own force into
the Territories. from the moment that 1t in
vented by John C. Calhoun for the purpose of
carrying slavery into the Territories. when 1t
was Impossible against the aroused conscience of
the country TO secure legislation that effect 1t
country by the Unanimous consent of ali states
men and Of all parties for nifty years and the
tain the power of Congress TO take the whole or
any part of the Constitution and the laws of the
United States into new Territories and TO estab-
by the ACQUISITION of Cuba aaf S ra pS
must result in such broad and comprehensive in
sition Of the United States upon the government
OF Territories which come us.
ceiyed some consideration. yet il has resuited in
pictures OF Puerto Rico and its inhabitants which
are utterly misleading. The lower house OF the
lowe Legislature the other day adopted resolution
ground that her duei'9 ftlco on the sentimental
eisnTTk Willingly while ether islands are resisting