The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-20

lose these rights until We give 10 t-he ter
ritory the attributes of a State. or other
wise extend the Constitution over 1t. This
right also comes from the expressed Ian
guage of the Constitution, that Con-
gress shall have power to dispose OF and
make all needful rules and regulations re-
specting the territory or other property
belonging to the United States. In gov
erning the Territories Congress has all the
powers OF States and of the United States
combined Such has been the Legislative
construction OF the Constitution for
hundred years. Congress has always as
sumed that its power was supreme.
Mr. Payne then reviewed the legisla-
tion pertinent to the case, asserting as a
conclusion that the part of the Constitu-
tion which directs that duties must be
equal in all parts of the United States
does not apply TO Territories"
In conclusion referring to the passage
of the act for the annexation OF Hawaii,
Mr.. Payne said: THE debate was strong
and furious. but according to my recollec-
tion no gentleman in the opposition raised
the cry of Imperialism against the man
ner in which Congress asserted the right
to fits absolute power to provide any sort
of government for this new territory. Nor
is there any danger in all this. Congress.
representing the American people. is ever
to the hands of any people of the terri
tory belonging to the United States. AS
for the people of Porto Rico. / would give
as fast as their own good will warrant.
Pass this bill. which even the gentleman
from Massachusetts, admits is well-con-
sidered measure from a fiscal standpoint,
and give them better markets and abun-
dant revenue. Do not tie down their des-
tinies TO the whim of the 30 per cent illit-
crate or to the caprice of the 10 per cent
of the educated. who have known no gov
ernment except Spanish misrule. Keep
them all in leading strings, un-
til you have educated them up
TO the full stature of American
manhood and then crown them with the
glory of American citizenship. In the
meantime give them all the rights accord
ed TO our own people under the Constitu-
tion consistent Swith their best interest
and happiness.
The Philippines.
"what shall we do with the Philippines?
First, stamp out insurrection and restore
law and order. Then investigate and legis-
late with caution, always remembering
their welfare and our own. If, In the
meantime. the Supreme Court should de-
clare that your Interpretation of the Con-
stitution is right, which l do not for
moment believe, then our task will be
fraught with the greatest difficulty. But
believe that American craftsmanship will
in that event work out the problem to the
elevation Of the Filipino and the glory OF
our country. IL we prove TO be right in
our contention. our task will be far easier.
II will be safe to trust the American peo-
pie and their representatives. We will
II. ..~I,- -
Constitution. In the meantime we will not
ourselves forget those people in our deal
ings with them. Our constant aim shall
be to elevate them. and whether we incor-
pornte them finally into our system or
send them forth among the nations of the
world. we will vouchsafe to them the bless
ings OF liberty. Wherever our flag goes
up II shall not come down without having
first guaranteed under Its folds the bless
inss of civilization. of liberty, end Of SOW
ereign citizenship
Mr.. RicharG.on'x Argument.
Mr.. Richardson followed Mr.. Payne IN
a lengthy and most exhaustive argu-
ment. He touched upon every phase of
the question and quoted literally from
the decisions OF the United States Su-
preine Court TO SHOW that the provisions
of the Constitution apply alike to the
Territories and the States. In the open
ing OF his argument he said he was not
an aiarmist, but in his Judgment the
pending bill was more dangerous TO the
liberties of the people of this Republic
than any measure before seriously pre-
segted to Congress. IL would prove. he
said, if enacted into law. more far-reaeh
ing In It's provisions and disastrous In
the results to follow than any act ever
passed by Congress. These statements. |
he said, were broad. but they were true. |
he asserted, as the result OF his best and |
most deliberate judgment
Continuing. he said: The hill is framed 4
upon the ideas and assumption that Con-
gress enters upon the government OF |
Porto Rico unrestrained by the provisions !
of the Constitution. This we deny. Those !
OF us who oppose this measure believe, |
without exception, maintain that the bill |
cannot be enacted into law without to-
tai disregard and violation OF not simply |
the spirit. but the express letter of the |
Constitution.
''Jhe Louisiana territory, Florida, Tex 4
as. California, New Mexico, Oregon, and 1
Alaska have all beea acquired under our 1
Constitution without jar or strain TO |
any OF its wise and beneflcent provisions,
and without any demand for its amend |
ment. Every foot of this vast domain |
was acquired and annexed under Demo- |
cratic Presidents.
1.-The Democratic party has always ia
vored proper expansion. Those OF us op-
posing this measure are not basing our
opposition TO 1t en- the ground that 1t is a
measure for expansion. This is not a
measure of expansion. Whether the Con-
stituiion OF the United States is extended
10 The island of Porto Rico, ex proprio
yigore. or not. it must be admitted that
when we enter upon legislation for the
island. as Congress viii do IL IL passes
this piIl. that question will be put at rest
End the territory will then be a part
OF u.s.
''The control of the President and OF the
military win have ceased and the ex-
pansion as to the island will have been |
A BALD form of Imperin tixm.
Legislation by Congress for the island
at once makes 1t a part OF the United
States. II this bill passes It must follow
that IL is then part of the United States
This being true the proposition which this
bill carries for unequal taxation OF the ISL
and as a portion of the United States is
The baidest form of Imperialism The op- |
position to this bill plants itself |
upon this ground The measure |
Is Imperialism itself. In the former |
acquisitions to which I have referred no !
such measure as the pending one was ever |
proposed or deemed necessary. This effor; |
therefore clearly marks the dividing line I
between all former acquisitions and that Of |
Porto Rico II 1t be conceded that the en-
actment OF the proposed bill into law is |
required.
''All former acquisitions OF territory 1
were made in a constitutional way II is
true as we were Informed by the gentle