The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-09
Report Of Minority.

The minority report is signed Dy all Inc
Democratic members of the ways and
means committee and Representative
Newlands. the silver member. 1t says In
part:
''The undersigned members of the COM
mittee are unable to agree with the con-
illusions OF the committee in respect 70 the
bill reported 10 regulate the trade of
Puerto Rico and for other purposes. and
respectfully submit our views as foliows
The bill raises two. questions which
must be considered and determined;
"First-The right or power under our
written constitution 10 enact the meas
ure.
"Second-Whether, If we have the
power should congress exercise II in the
manner provided in the bill?
THE bill Is framed upon theLdea and
the assumption that congress has entered
upon the government of Puerto Rico, UNI
restrained by the provisions OF the con-
stitution."
The report then takes up the constitu-
tional provision that all duties. etc, bs
uniform throughout the United States.
ana presents the law decision that the
term United States" has universal appli-
cation to territory held.
This branch Of the subject has previous
ly been covered in special report. Pro-
cecdine. the report says:
IF the position taken by the majority OF
the committee in recommending the pas
sage of the bill be the correct one and
congress has the power to govern terri
tory of the United States independent OF
must follow that congress Is not re-
strained by this instrument from passing
laws imposing customs duties on the min
erals and ores of the territories OF Ar1-
IONA and Mexico; the furs and fish of
Alaska. the lumber OF Oklahoma and Of
all other products of these territories.
when imported into any of the states OF
the Union, and also upon all products OF
any kind into the territories from the
states or any one OF them. The power to
pass such laws was never before claimed
In our land
Cites the Constitution.
ut is wholly inconsistent with the the
ory and form OF our government me
exercise Of such power Is pure ana sim
Pile Imperialism. and against II We enter
our most solemn protest we never nave
held and cannot hold territory as politi-
cal dependency and subject TO unequal
taxation.
"Our Union Is one Of states. with com
mon interests and a common destiny. the
blessing of free government rests alike
upon our people, whether In the thirteen
original states or in the youngest member
of the Union, or in the newest acquired
territory. II dses not matter In which
form territory Ia acquired, IL is to be held.
under our constitution, with the object
OF finally being admitted into the Union
as a state. In support 81 this doctrine
tho decisions OF the supreme court are
uniform and in harmony with the doctrine
herein enumerated
After calling attention to the president $
recent recommendation for the abolish
ment OF all customs duties between Puerto
Rico and the United states. and the re-
port OF the secretary OF war to the same
effect, the report concludes as follows.
I'VE do not know why those sudden
changes have occurred. We cannot be-
neye that the president has been convert
ed from the opinion ne so lately eN-
pressed or that he now admits the un-
wisdom OF the solemn advice he SO re-
Gently gave to congress We are not ad-
vised that his opinion was hastily formed
and that he had not maturely considered
the subject upon which he was advising
us.
I'VE do not believe the people OF this
land Rrdentiy attached as they are to our
free institutions, can he brought to favor
a policy which Expresses the Inhabitants
OF the territory owned by the United
States anywhere and over which the flag
of the republic floats even II such poll
Icy should serve Ia degree, to enrich
some citizens Of the United States. We
protest earnestly sgainst the adoption OF
4 robber policy which makes this republic
take the place OF a ruthless monarchy.
Spain, IN dsspoiling Puerto Rico, now a
portion OF the United states
I'VE recommend that the pending bill
do not pass