Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-03
PUERTO RICO TARIFF.
Ways and Means Committee
Decide on Report.
Majority Think Islands Government
Not Limited by Constitution.
Basis to Be rs Per Cent. Of Regular Rates
Minority Report.

Washington, Feb. AT a speciaI
meeting of the ways and means COM
mittee, today it was decided to report
| bill establishing a tariff system for
Puerto Rico on basis of % per cent.
OF the rates in the regular tariff law
Reports also were received from the
subcommittee which was considered
TO what extent the term United States
| as used in the constitution relates to
the outlying territory recently acquir-
ed by this country. majority of the
subcommittee comprising the Republi-
can members, reported in substanc :
that Congress has practically unlimited
power in dealing with these territories.
The minority, comprising Mr.. Richard
son. Dem, and Newlands, Siverite,
held in substance that all constitution
al restrictions extend to the newly ac-
quired territory and that the powers
of Congress are thereby limited
The reports on the meaning of the
term United States" as applicable to
Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Hawaii
and other possessions We're received
with great interest and We're regarded
as determining a most important line
of policy by those in authority The
majority report by Mr.. DaIZell Penn,
Mr.. Hopkins. ILL.,, and Mr.. Grosvenor,
Ohio. was as follows:
Your committee are of opinion:
THAT the term United States" in
that provision Of the constitution which
| declares that all duties. imposts and
excuses shall be uniform throughout
| the United states means and is confin-
| cd to the states that constitute the
| federal union and does not cover also
the territory belonging to the United
| States
| THAT the authorities treating IF
| this question ana decisive IF il are
those that treat Of ana involve in their
decision the question as t. whether the
constitution. ex-proprieo rigorc. ana
independent Of treaty stipulations or
Congressional legislation extends terri
! tory coded to and acquired by the
| United States.
THAT the weight Of these authori-
ties sustains the following proposition
viz:
CA)-That the United States may ac-
quire territory either under the treaty
making and war power of the consti-
tuition or By virtue Of its general pow
ers Of sovereignty as a nation. in which
are included all the inherent powers
Of sovereignty both of the United
states as an independent nation and
| all the powers Of the several states as
| soVereignS.
| CB)-That the power t. govern ac-
| CURED territory results from the right
to acquire and also from the provision
Of section 3. article N If the constitu-
| tion to wit: Power to dispose Of and
make all needful rules ana regulations
respecting the territory and other prop
| erty belonging To the United States.
C)-That Congress has power To
govern acquired territory Independent
of the limitations of the constitution,
from which Congress derives all its
powers, than by an express ana direct
application of its provisions.
D)-That Congress has power to
govern Puerto Rico and the Philippines
Independent Of the limitations Of the
constitution.
The minority report Of Mr.. Richard
son says:
The meaning of the term United
States" has been defined by the SUI
premc court of the United States. The
question was passed upon by Chief