The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-20

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
conquest or by treaty. / md no limit
in the constitution to this power.
''In respect TO Puerto Rico We are not
hampered by treaty s,ipulatfons or by act
OF congress. There has been no law ex-
tending the constitution over the island
In this II differs from the status OF every
formerly acquired territory. We have ao-
solute power. This was claimed In the
debate on the Louisiana case. and this con-
tention prevailed.
some Historic PRECEDENT.
",This principle was affirmed by Webster.
story and Benton. and long line OF
statesmen and jurists.
but now the opposition say this II I'm
perialism. You are but re-echofng the cry
of the opposition Of a hundred years ago
Still the majority moved on. and the Amer
lean people approved their course. The
territory of Louisiana, In the plenary
powers given to the president, survived
and fiourished until 1872 when part OF 1t
was organized into the territory of Mis-
souri,. with legislature at that late day
composed OF a legislative council, appoint
ed by the president and an assembly elect
ed by the people. Here again we had
imperialism, but the fathers wisely waited
until this people were nj for self-govern-
ment before they extended the limitations
and the privileges OF the constitution to
them. The same is true Of the territory
of Florida Only a year and half ago
congress. by thirds vote and two
thirds vote in the senate, annexed Hawaii
by an act modelled after the Florida ana
Louisiana acts The debate was strong and
furious. but according TO my recollection
no gentleman In the opposition raised the
cry OF imperialism against the manner in
which congress asserted the right to It's
absolute power to provide any sort OF gov
eminent for this new territory. Nor Is
there danger In all this. Congress, repre-
senting the American people, Is never swift
TO put the power OF government into the
hands OF any people of the territory be-
longing to the United States.
"As for the people OF Puerto Rico.
would move as fast as their own good viii
VIII warrant Pass this bill, which even
the gentleman from Massachusetts, tMc-
CalD admits fs a well considered measure
from fiscal standpoint. and give them
better markets and abundant revenue. Do
not tie down their destinies to tho within
Of 20 per cent. OF the iliterate or to the ca
price OF 10 per cent. OF the educated. who
have known no government except Spanish
misrule Keep them all In leading strings
until you have educated them up to the
full stature of American manhood. and
lean citizenship. In the meantime give
them all the rights accorded 20 our own
people under the constitution consistent
with their best interests and happiness.
What shall we do with the Philippines
First stamp out instruction and restore
law and order. Then investigate and leg
isiate with caution, always remembering
their welfare and oN own II In the mean
time the supreme court should declare that
your interpretation of the constitution IL
right. which I don't for moment believe.
then our task win be fraught with the
greatest difficulty. But believe that
American craftsmanship will IN that event
work out the problem to the elevation OF
the Philippines and the glory Of our coun~
try. II we prove to be right in our con-
tention, our task win be far easier. II
win he safe to trust the American people
and their representatives.. We win teach
them the principles OF the American con-
stitution. In the meantime We viii not
ourselves forget those principles In our
dealings with them. Our constant aim
shail be TO elevate them. and whether we
incorporate them finally into our system or
send them forth among the nations OF the
world we viii vouchsafe TO them the bless
ings Of liberty. Wherever our flag goes
IN Il shall not come down Without having
mrs, guaranteed under Its folds the bless
ings OF civilization OF liberty and Of SOW
erelgn citizenship,
Richardson Attacks the Rtlt.
Richardson, the leader OF the minority.
made the opening argument IN opposition to
tho measure.
II am not an aiarmi-t." he said, but In
my Judgment the pending hill is more dan
gcrous 70 the liberties OF the people Of this
republic than any measure before serious
IL presented 70 the American congress. II
VIII prove more far-reaching In its proVls-
ions and disastrous In the results that NUT
Of necessity follow n II should he enacted
into law than any act ever passed by CON
gress
His View OF the Constellation.
THE hill ia framed upon the idea and As
sumption that congress enters upon the
government Of Puerto Rico unrestTlned by
the provisions Of the constitution. This Ne
deny. Those o. us who oppose this mesa-
ure, I believe without exception. maintain
that the htll cannot Ne enacted into law
without a total disregard and violation OF
not simply the spirit. but the express tettsr
q, the constitution Tre Louisiana terri
tory Florida Texas. California, New Ne \.
iCo, Oregon and Alaska have all been ac-
sulred all under our constitution without a
far or strain 10 any of Ia. wise and bsne-
ncent provisions and without any ssnt,e
Tor IS amendment. Every foot Of this vast
domain was acquired ana ANNEXED under
Democratic presidents The Democratic
party hss always favored proper expansion
THOSE % us opposing this measure are not
baslug our opposition 20 u that Il u a
measure Tor expansion. This Is no, neas-
are q expansion.
Whether the constitution OF the United
states Is extended % ire island Of Puerto
Rico eN proprio Vtsore or not. u mus; I've
admitted that when We enter unOn Logs
'ation f9r the island as congress viii 40 =
Il passes This niu tha, question VIII be put
az rest aud the territory viii then b. a
part q as
The control 81 The president aad nlili-
,Ary must have ceased and the expansion