The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-20
THE PORTO RlCAN
l'ARiF BILL
(continned from First Pase)

lARiF | BILL
CONTINUED from First Pase.)
mates of General Davis for the. exnendi
lures is 81. 600.
INCREASE OF INCOME.
The original BILL. therefore, it5wouids
seem. means q bankrupt treasury. the
substitute. a surplus OF $500, 600, which will
meet some Of the pressing needs for the
establishment OF common schools. The
remission Of 20 per cent. of the duteS
on sugar and tobacco which are now
paid. means an annual increase OF IN
come TO these people OF $500 600. rms
means the lifting of mortgage from
many a small plantation, better wages
for the laborers.- more money In clrcu-
lation, and greater general prosperity
Nor will this bill iniure any interest IN
the United States.
The American tobacco-gr grower does not
need to fear the Importation of this 1890
COG pounds of tobacco. 1T Will furnish
new market for the wrapper which ne
produces, and will bring him gain In
stead OF loss.
But our constitutional power is uues-
toned find no case where the question
was directly involved or which Is de-
cisive.
II, is now universally conceded that
we have the power TO acquire territory
by conquest or by treaty. | lind no limit
in the Constitution TO this power.
In respect to Porto Rico we are not
hampered by treaty stipulations or by act
of Congress We have absolute power
But now the opposition say this is inn
perialism You are but re-echoing the
cry Of the opposition of a hundred years
ago. Still the majority moved on, and
the American people approved their
course The territory OF Louisiana III
the plenary powers given to the Presi-
dent survived and -fourished until 1877,
when part of it was organized into the
territory Of Missouri with Legislature
at that late day composed Of an eNecn-
tive council appointed by the PRESIDENT
and an. assembly elected by the people.
Here again we had imperialism. but the
fathers wisely waited until TINS pcoPie
were fit for self-governMent before 'lie9
extended the limitations and the pro
visions of the Constitution to them. Inc
same is true of the territory of Florida.
Only n wear and Il half ago congress,
nv a. tWo-thirdS vote in the House ana
a two-thirdS vote in the Senate. ahieAeu
Hawaii by an act modelled AFTER re
Florida and Louisiana acts. Inc deoate
was strong and furious. but according
to my recollection no gentlemen IN the
opposition raised Theory of IMPERIALISM.
GLORY OF CITIZENSHIP.
AS for the people of Porto Rico ! would
move as fast as their own good VIII wal
ranted Keep them all under leadii';s
strings until you have educated them UP
to the full stature of American mahnooo
and then crown them with the glory o.
American citizenship. In the mean llhe
give them all the rights accorded 10 our
own n.orle under the Constitution con-
sis1ent with their best interests and hap
pness.
What shall we do with the Philippines?
First stamp out Instruction ana restore
law and order. Then Investigate anu ieS-
is!ate with caution. always remembering
their welfare and our own.
MT. Richardson, of Tennessee. the leader
of the minority, made the open 'lS 3rSu-
ment in opposition to the measure:
II am not an ularnist.' said he. 'but
in nv Judgment the pending till is luore
dangerous 70 the liberties of the people
OF this republic than any measure belofe
seriously presented to the American Con-
gress. 1t will prove more tar ,rcach!hs
in its provisions and disastrous IN Inc re
suits that must OF necessity follow II II
should be enacted into law, tniin ANY 'St
ever PASSED by Congress.
, VIOLATES TILE CONSTITUTION.
1.-The bill is framed upon the idea ana
assumption THAT Congress enters upon
the government of forto Rico unr2StEdin-
ed by the provisions OF the constitution.
This we, deny. Those Of us WHO oppose
this measure. ! believe without exception,
maintain that the bill cannot be enacted
irro law without a total disregard and
violation of not simply tie spirit but the
express letter of the constitution. me
louisiana territory. Florida. IeNaS- cali
fornia. New Mexico, Oregon and Alaska
nave all been acquired under cur CQnSu-
tuition without a jar or strain to any Oh
its wise and l,eneiicent PROVISIONS ana
without any demand for It's amendment.
Every foot OF TINS vast domain was &C
CURED and annexed under Democratic
presidents. The Democra tic party has al
WAYS favored proper expansion. nose
of us opposing this measure are not bas-
ing our opposition TO at on the ground
that il is "a measure of expansion. rms
is not a measure OF. expansion
Legislation by Congress for the island
at once makes it d part of the United
States If this bill passes it must follow
that il is then Il part of the United States.
This being true. the propoSit on which this
bill carries for unequal taxation of the
island as a portion of the United States
is the oldest form of imperialism.
1.-The opposition to this bill plants itself
upon these grounds. The measure is mi
perialiSm itself. In the former acGulSl-
tons to which / have referred no such
measure as tlle pellolnS Ohe "Nio eNei Pto-
posed or doomed necessary.
Mr.. Richardson then proceeded With an
exhaustive legal argument TO prove that
the constitution extended over our rev
possessions, quoting numerous decisions
OF the Supreme Court in support CT his
contention. He sad the passage OF the
bill would be an act of bad faith 10 the
Porto R5canS.
DANGEROUS BILL.
..J at ms M. :lDpeaied "vOted down this