The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-21
PUERTO R|CAN TARIFF BILL.
axorHER DAYS DEBATE OVER 1T
IN THE HOUSE.
Sevsiands Attacks the Consultations
Atty of the Bill, Holding That
Congress Has No Power TO Impose
different Tariffs on the Islands.

WARRINGTON, Feb. 20-In the house,
before the debate on the Puerto Rican bill
was resumed today. Hepburn asked unani-
nous consent that the Nicaragua canal
hi be taken up two weeks from today.
richardson asked IL there was anything
N the Bill which recognized the existence
NJ the Clayton Bulwer treaty.
.sThere Is not" replied Hepburn. THE
blli provides for absolute ownership"
Cannon, chairman of the appropriations
committee. said he was not prepared TO
agree at this time to consideration Of the
bill
observed Richardson.
Hepburn offered to make the date a
week from today, but Cannon sim dis
sented.
The house then went into committee OF
the whole. and Newlands, n member OF
the ways and means committee, took the
floor In opposition to the Puerto Rican
bill
NewInnds Attacks the Bili.
Nswlands said In part:
"As the result OF humanitarian war,
inaugurated not for conquest, but to free
Cuba from SPANS oppression, the United
States finds itself in the unqualified pos
session OF Puerto Rico and I'm the disputed
possession OF. the Philippines. All these
'an ,n a ae, ,odhs s, nhusr .ne a,ay p9%nr
Gress II now called upon to act. and the
questions are:
'Tirst-what do duty and good morals
require OF US regarding the islands?
'Second-What self-interest prompts us
10 do7 And
"Thlrd--what our constitutional power
IL regarding these islands?
every phase Of obligation and duty
which could be presented TO us by any
conquest or cesslon OF territory thus Is
presented to us In the three classes OF
acuuiFitiOuH thus secured
No Complications Presented.
Az to Puerto Rico. NewIands said that
there existed no complications unless they
were created by the maadministration OF
could be easily absorbed: they were ready.
willing and eager to share with us the
benefits and the burdens Of our govern
mont Their industrial competition would
not be serious even though they were
taken inside the tariff wall Doubtless
the disposition of the dominant power was
government and TO extend our constitu-
ton and our laws to them. Their fear
was that precedent would be established
controlling our action regarding the Phil
ippines later on, such action embracing
not simply one island near our coast cas-
~ governed, its people friendly and peace
,ni but embracing an archipelago Of 100
races. speaking different languages, hav-
inE different customs and ranging all the
way. from absolute barharism 20 semi
Must Have Free Trade.
! It was evident. therefore, so far as
Puerto Rico was concerned, whatever
present objections there might be upon
the part Of the dominant party TO estab-
nshlng freedom OF trade between that
island and the Union, such trade would
not be long deferred. as. apart from the
Importance or the constitutional questions
raised by discriminating tariff which
doubtless would be only temporary II was
evident that both OF the political parties
81 we country were now on substantial
agreement that Puerto Rico should be-
come part OF the Union
Newlands said, however that the Re-
pnhhcans were losing sight OF the possi-
niiity that the unrest and dissatisfaction
created by inequality of laws might make
our problem Of government In Puerto Rico
much more difNcult than II now seemed.
whether these Islands were 10 be regarded
as dependencies or territories freedom of
trade, freedom of migration and equality
o. right and burden must b.. established,
otherwise n community Disseminated
against would regard itself as the victim
OF prejudice or seif-tnterest
Tho dominant party was DESTROYS OF pre-
venting freedom OF migration and free
trade between this country and the Phil
tppine islands. This was the sentiment of
the entire country, and there was but ono
way 10 accomplish this under the constitu-
ton, and that was 10 declare that they did
not belong 20 the United States and that
The sovereignty OF the United States would
be exercised in these islands only for their
stable government, and the Anal establish
ment OF Independent sclf-government IN
the islands. Duty, interest and constitu-
t!onnl obligations all pointed 10 this ss
the correct course with reference 20 the
Philippines As 10 Puerto Rico, our duty
was 20 Immediately reinoorporate that is
land In the Union az territory. with all
It's rights and privileges under the con-
stitution and laws OF this country. Equal
fty Of right and equality OF burden would
render them satisfied with our scheme Of
government FnnfqntH1 IA
tion % tutelage which would ultimately
lead to representation IN the federal gov
ernment, While discrimination OF right and
Inequality OF burden would create never
ending irritation and opposition that would
impossible
Nswlands spoke for two hours. lie was
linerally applaudea when he concluded.
HopLin. Defends the mi.
HOPKINS. who Is also "A member of the
ways and means committee, then took the
Moor u support Of the bill lie said
let " discharge our duty with a nrm.
ness and intrepidity that characterized
the action o, our fathers when the dark
sinad % civil war overriding cur national
esnnsr, ana the people ot today VIII as,
, 'Sss,aly APPROVE taglr conduct as they ga
when they wHyo exercising every power
~ the constitution for the maintenance ~
the Onion and the integrity Of this rcpuh-
swanson Opposes It.
Swanson. another member Of the ways
ard means committee. followed Hopkins
He began his argument by reading from
We presidents message 20 congress an
hNnHclAK that Ut was our plain duty TO
abolish al customs tarin between the Unit
~ states and Puerto Rico. The conditions
Y Puerto Rico had not changed. yet, said
Swanson the Republican party, since ,hls
nAeSta9e. had entirely changed t.s policy "a
dsAliag with this matter Tho change. re