The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1900-04-28


MI. SIBLEY. Mr., Chairman,
if this bill proposed to provide for
permanent policy in dealing with
Puerto Rico, I should oppose it,
and last week 50 informed the
chairman of the Ways aud Means
Committee. think each witness
who has appeared before the Com
mittee on Insu1ar Affairs has stated
that the condition of those people
is deplorable. that they are starry
ing in that island at the present
moment. While we are debating
they are starving.
have heard no proposition to
afford them relief in any other man
ner than here proposed; and for
myself my duty seems to me to be
perfectly clear-to support the
measure presented by the Ways
and Means Committee. We recog-
nize the fact that this discussion on
the part of the opposition is not
against Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico
is a mere incident to the broader
proposition. (Applause.) If it is
determined that every foot of terri
tory under the control Of the United
States is to enjoy equal advantages
with the United States
Mr.. JAMES R. WILLIAMS.
Then, according to the gentlemen S
statement, the emergency for the
passage of this bill does not exist
in Puerto Rico, but in the politics
of the Republican party. Gap
p1ause on the Democratic side.)
Mr.. SIBLEY. No; you locate
the politics on the wrong side o.
the Chamber, my friend. Gap
p1ause ON the Republican side.)
Mr.. JAMES r. WILLIAMS
It is pretty hard to locate you
daughter and applause on the
Democratic stde.)
Mr.. SIBLEY. You need no
have a particle of trouble abou'
that; for I stated the other evening
Oh the floor of this House tina
whenever it is necessary for one
to act in patriotic manner, when
ever it became necessary in orde;
~ to keep step with the march of hu
man progress, whenever it became
necessary for one attempting tt
serve the welfare of his country
and its people to have seat upor
the Republican side of the Cham
Der, you could constructively place
my seat there at that very momen
(pointing to the Republican side,
Cloud applause on the Republican
side.) There is mere incident t.
the broader proposition that if 20,
can establish the principle that al
territory recently acquired by thu
United States and coming unde:
our control and jurisdiction-if 20,
can establish the principle tina
each citizen of these possessions il
entitled at the present time to thu
enjoyment of the same rights anc
privileges enjoyed by American cit
liens, and that they are to be gov
erned by the same rules and partic
ipate under the same conditions il
governmental affairs as are accord
ed to American citizenship within
the limits of Our Federal Union
before accepting any such interpre
tation, firmly believing in expar
sion as do, I should renounce an
denounce the whole theory of ex
pansion.
The debate upon Puerto Rico
the mere incident in the broade
proposition. The issue being d.
ternined is whether or not tt
United States possess the right an
have the will to so legislate TIL
the products of the Orient shall n
be admitted as a disturbing fact,
TO American production, and tn
the yellow man of the Orient she
not come here, clothed with Il
full power of citizenship, to cor
pete upon terms Of equality Wi
American labor in Our own mar