The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-12

| Congress upon the bill. The constitutions;
doctrine regarding the bill which he had
| contended for was the doctrine OF Che Re
| publican platforms of 1856 and 1860, al
| though Mr.. DalZell had asserted 10 the
| contrary, and was the doctrine of Abraham
! Lincoln. The doctrine he said, might well
| be called the GrosYeror doctrine for in 4
| speech last month General Crosvenor had
said that Congress could legislate for the
possessions OF the United States as it saw
| fit, save only that it could do nothing for
| hidden by the Constitution. That was his
| position exactly Mr. Mccall said. He had
never coEtended that the Constitution was
| in force in Porto Rico, but tna- it was IN
force on Capitol Hill, and that Congress
J could 90 nothing forbidden by it. He re-
| GREETED that the leaders on the floor could
! not have that nobler courage. yield the
! whole miserable business, md give fIes
| trade to Porto Rico.
| Mr.. Swanson of Virginia criticised the
| government features of the bill in n ten
minute speech. No man on the floor. he
| said. would be so recreant as to accept any
such government for himself or his constit-
| uents.
| The bill was further discussed in brief
| speeches in opposition by Messrs. Newiands
I Of Nevada, Rhea of Kentucky, Hay of Nir
| ginia. and Gaines of Tennessee, and in sup
port OF the bill by Messrs. Hopkins of IIli
nois, who denied that the Republicans had
| changed a single constitutional principle OF
! financial policy in reporting the pending
bill from the position assumed by them in
reporting the original bill.
Mr.. Richardson closed for the Democrats.
repeating the story about Mr. .Iagocn's
opinion to the Secretary of War that the
Constitution of the United States extended
of its own vigor and effect to Porto Rico. to
| introduce the statement that since he first
| spoke Secretary Root had complied with
| the resolution Of the House last Saturday
| and sent that opinion to the House. Since
writing that opinion Mr.. Magoon had writ
| ten another opinion of seventy-two printed
| pages, to the effect that Congress must
| first act before the Constitution could be
| extended over the island.
| Mr.. Richardson quoted from the first
| opinion, dated May 81, 1899, extracts sus-
| tanning the contention that the Constitu-
tion applied to Porto Rico and that Con-
| gress, in legislating for the island, must
! be guided by the Constitution, all of
which were loudly applauded. Concluding
Mr.. Richardson said he had no words of
| commendation for Mr.. Magoon. ''the subor-
dinate clerk, who changed his mind, but"
he added. what will the country think of
Secretary Of War who compelled him
TO change it?"
The applause following Mr. Richardson's
| speech was so loud and extended that it
was several minutes before order could be
| restored.
DoIIiver Quotes Davis.
Mr.. Dolliver of Iowa followed in char
acteristic effort supporting the bill. He
said that the gentleman from Tennessee
had brought up the opinion of a subordi-
nate law clerk, who had thought to over
ride the great lawyer who presided over
that department as to the constitutional
rights and prerogatives of Congress. He
asked Mr.. Richardson if he would take the
opinion OF General Davis upon the subject
Mr.. Richardson-If you will give me
both opinions / will take my choice.
Mr.. Doliiver read from Governor Davis
official report, which he asserted support
ed the principle of the bill Referring
to the charges of bribery as affecting the
action OF the Republican party. he said
they were little thing to make and too
contemplate to answer He would charge
the gentleman from Tennessee with max
ing an effort to present the Sugar Trust
sixty millions OF dollars by the introduc-
tion of a joint resolution, which he read,
TO abolish the duty on raw sugars. And
the Chairman of the Democratic National
Committee, Senator Jones of Arkansas.
was in the same conspiracy. He had in
troduced a resolution to pay back to the
trust Sl,So0, 600 of customs dues it had
already paid into the Treasury Now"
he continued, 81 don't charge these gem
tlemen with corruption; | am above that
| Only charge them with stupidity
Concluding, he exhorted the Republicans
to stand together in this skirmish against
the enemy, preliminary to the great Pres
idential contest in the fall.
The debate was concluded by Mr.. Payne
of New York. Thesproudest act of his life.
he said, was in caunectionzsith this bill,
from its inception to the present moment
Mr.. Pierce of Tennessee-Which end are
you proud of?
This query was received with an out
burst OF laughter When it had ceased Mr.
Payne said that he would not answer that.
He said he was willing TO submit the ques-
tion to the American people for their YER
diet Mr.. Payne closed with a general de-
fence of the bill, and members, who
had been under a strain, increasing in in
tcnsity as the hours went by, greeted the
arrival of the hour. of o'clock with a sigh
Of relief.
The question on coneurring in the Senate |
amendments was put by the Speaker and
ii was agreed 10.
The House then, at 5:35 O'Clock, ad-
iourned until today
DpnuTcTnEc on rrrrr nrrr