The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-23
THE PUERTO R|CAM DEBATE.
MCCLELLAN, A REPUBLICAN, At
TACKs THE BILL.
His Argument Based on the Consti-
tutional Feature, He Contending
That Newly Acquired Territory
Comes Under the Constitution.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-The house be-
gan holding early sessions today meeting
at II a. m, owing to the pressure for time
in the Puerto Rico debate.
Mcclellan Opposes the Bill.
Mr.. Mcclellan opened the debate, speak
ing in opposition to the bill, which ne
characterized as the most outrageous OPP
pottunism that had been submitted 70
a government, at least since the days OF
that prophet OF opportunlsm, Leon Gam
beta. He argued at some length, quoting
a great many decisions TO prove that the
position OF the majority was untenable
and that the inhabitants OF Puerto Rico
are citizens OF the United States with the
constitutional rights Of citizens and that
ore" over the islands Of Puerto Rico, the
United states only holding it in trust for
The STATE eventually e be ereeted vas OUT r O.
quently and generously applauded by his
Democratic associates.
Brsntley Also Against.
Mr. Brantley spoke against the bill and
particularly on the future Of the Philip
pines. He pointed out that year had
elapsed since the treaty Of peace, and
yet citizens had failed thus far to lay
down a policy for the Philippines II was
spread uncertainty among the Ftlipinos
and nerved them TO further opposition,
and he declared that the new Philippine
commission could accomplish nothing. and
that II it went to the philippines AT all
IL should go at the authority and power
which comes alone in the grant.
Grosvenor EnIiveps the Debate.
Grosvenor followed in support of the
bill He said any political party or indi-
Ndual who took part in ratitying and
supporting the treaty with Spain was
estopped from opposing any OF the iegiti-
mate effects OF that treaty When the
treaty hung In the balance a certain
Nebraska colonel left his regiment and
hi tFs f~ff
the ratification, and he did influence votes
at a critical juncture. GrosVenor said IL
there was one man in the country who
should shoulder the responsibility for the
treaty and its succeeding responsibilities
that man was William J. Bryan, of Ne
braska
Grosvenor said there appeared to be sreat
sens.tiTeness lest the wishes of the presi-
dent should not be carried cut and this
constituencies was most apparent on the
Democratic side, among those not particu-
larry active in supporting the president.
The president had performed the constitu-
tional duty in presenting his views to con-
gresE. Since then much official infOrma-
ton had been submitted. showing couclu-
sively that it was imperatiyely necessary to
raise money for Puerto Rico In some way.
In order TO restore the depressed industries
and Institutions OF the island This infOr-
nation had been 50 conclusive that views
had changed both I'm the senate and here
mittee brought forward this bill, believing
Il 20 be the best thing attainahle for Puerto
Rico and for this country There was only
one alternative 10 this tariff measure and
that was TO 40 down In our noclets end
appropriate from the treasury enough to
sustain the island.
Richardson Asks Questions.
Richardson at this point asked:
II understand the gentleman holds that
the president did not understand the dt
uation at the time Of his message Now I
ask him II the president understands the
situation at this timer"
Grosvenor responded that he was not the
mouthpiece of the president and that Pich-
ardson's question aid not correctly repre-
sent what had been said. He added;
II think know the president reasonably
well and speaking as an individual and
knowing all the things involved In the
situation here now. ! think that nothing
than the defeat OF this bin and the turn
ing over OF this house to the Democratic
minority"
Grosyenor said II was hardly 10 10 sun
posed that the president at the time he
made his recommendation for the relief OF
| Puerto Rico appreciated that such q sim
! pie question would be made the text FOR a
| constitutional Issue more grave than any
| thing since the Dredd Scott case.
Constitutional Argument.
Taking up the broad right Of congress 70
| deal with the subject Grosyenor said
| Daniel Webster had been the first 10 main
| tain the power Of congress over new terri
| tory, And yet IL remained for Massa-
| chuseits member OF the house. a represen-
tative from Cambridge tMcCelD, to call this
! The reference to Clmbridse brought Mr.
| Moody to his feet with the statement that
! Harvard university was on the side Of the
| ways and means majority.
| Good Natured RaiIlery.
| Grosvenor's discussion of the fiscal and
| constitutional question was varied oy
| good natured political raillsry with the
| members across he aisle. When Neville
| OF Nebraska asked II Grosveuor expected
| TO embalm the FfliplnOs along with the
| declaration OF Independence In the Philip
| pines. the Ohio member answered that
| when the Democratic party got through
with the Fh.piuos Il would need emhalm-
| ing At another point Grosvenor caused
| laughter BY referring ironically to Aguln-
| aldo as "ihe George Washington Of the
| Philippines"
MeCalfs Views ON Constitution.
Mccall followed in opposition TO the bill
| fila speech was followed with great tn
| teres, as re was the only member OF tht
| ways and means majority to dissent from
| the majority report
Mr.. Mccall said that he regretted greatly
that he could not agree with his col
leagues as TO the pending bil. but he wa
| compelled 10 dissent because u Involves
nothing less than the proposition that con
sress, In dealing with the territories Of
| the United STATES had absolute power
| unfetter by any limitations Of the consu
tuition. John Marshall. as great juris
as ever sat upon the bench. declared IL
| 1sous hborough vs. Blake that the rule col
uniformity In the imposition OF duties ex
tended TO the territories,
A third Of a century after the Tough
| Borough case the supreme court again
| when California became a territory. &c
ci3ed that the rule 90 uniforml;y would az
| ply to d.
| II congress Is not bound by these lini
tations against taxing uneGually, IL IL no
bound hy any Limitation upon its pows
| In the constitution" said Mccall 'Bg
, we are asked 10 pass this Aill. because
| somebody has called in question our con
| sututiouaI right TO do So. But II you ar
/ going 10 pass an unjust measure nereil
| 10 show your strength, why rot aegiu %
| ~hsRFjng your wolves. New Mexico. Ari
| 1nnA and Alaska instead ~ shca-fng m.
| poor little pet lamb % Puerto Rico.
| Il think y0g are unduly alarmed aoou
| the effect of extending the principle o
| constitutional liberty wherever our Ca
| floats bat ] say that Y W. must CIV
| lp either constitutional heerty has arci
preserved 20 IA at a price 10 blood. apl
| treasure greater Than The value % thou
| sand archipclaEos-
I'VE impose by this blll a certain pe
! cent 10 duties upor goods passing TO an
| fro between that island and this country
/ How long Will - De- before ms powerful
| interest will demand that they be- recoE
/ uiEed Can there bh any doubt that 10