The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-23

the final vote to be taken at 2 o'clock.
Mr. Mccall, of Massachusetts. asked IL
such an agreement would preclude a
vote upon the bill originally introduc-
ed by Mr.. Payne for free trade with
Porto Rico. Mr.. Payne replied that
was for the house and the committee to
decide.
Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader,
insisted that there should be a definite
understanding that the minority could
offer a substitute. To this Mr.. Payne
declined TO agree
AS a matter Of privilege, Mr.. Hit. of
Illinois. reported back from the COM
mittee on foreign affairs, the Wheeler
resolution, calling pom the state de-
partment for information as to the
truth OF the charges Of Mr.. Macrum,
eX-conSul at Pretoria, concerning the
opening of his mail by the British au-
thorities, and it was adopted without
debate.
The house then went into committee
OF the whole with all questions relat-
ing to h close Of the debate open.
Mr.. Payne, in charge of the bill, in
opening the debate, received marked
attention This bill by its terms" he
explained, relates only to the Island
OF Porto Rico. 1t cannot be taken as
a precedent of any legislative action
In reference to the Philippines, when
the present insurrection shall have
SoNSPN III 81 Oh do VIC
assert in 1t our view of Jul power I'M
der the American constitution; but
our constitutional power is questioned.
L md no case where the question was
directly involved or which is decisive.
1t IS now universally conceded that we
nave the power to acquire territory by
conquest or by treaty. l find no limit
In the constitution to this power. In
respect to Porto Rico we are not ham,
pered by treaty stipulations by act of
congress. We have absolute power"
Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee, the
leader of the minority, made the open
ing argument in opposition to the
measure. Il am not an alarmiSt," said
he, but in my judgment the pending
bill is more dangerous to the liberties
OF h people of this republic than any
measure before seriously presented to
the American congress-. 1t will prove
more far-reaching in it's provisions and
disastrous in the results that must of
necessity follow, if it should be enact
ed into law, than any act ever passed
by congress-.
The bill is framed upon the idea and
that congress enters upon
the government of Porto Rico unre-
strained by the provisions of the con-
StltutlOn. This we deny. Those of us
who oppose this measure, | believe
without exception, maintain that the
bill cannot be enacted into law with
Jul a ulSItSdIu anu NlOldIlOn OIL,
not simply the spirit, but the express
letter Of the constitution. The Louisi-
ana territory, Texas, California, New
Mexico, Oregon and Alaska have all
been acquired under our constitution
without a jar or strain to any of it's
wise and benefcient provisions and
without my demand for it's amend
ment. Every foot of this vast domain
was acquired and annexed under DEM
ocratic presidents. The democratic
party has always favored proper eX-
panSiOn. Those Of US opposing this
measure are not basing our opposition
to 1t on the GROUND that it is a meas
urc Of expansion. This is not a meas
ure of expansion. Legislation by con-
greSS for the island at once makes it
a part Of the United States. If this
bill passes it must follow that it is
then a part of the United States. This
being true, the proposition which this
bill carries for unequal taxation of the
island as a portion of the United States
is the baldest form of imperialism"
Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylvania, second
ranking majority member of the ways
and means committee, made a close le-
gal and constitutional argument in
support of the contention of the ma
jority that the constitution did not eX-
tend over our new possessions. He as
serted that in a representative repub.
lie the right to govern did not depend
on the consent of the governed.
The house hen took a recess until
evening to consider private pension
legislation and then adjourned.
At the night session, which was to
have been devoted to pension legiSla-
ton, Mr.. Talbert, of South Carolina,
completely blocked proceedings by
making a point of no quorum. After
waiting for two hours, in the hope of
getting a quorum, the house ad-
journed.