The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-30
AN ESTRA SESSION
LIVINGSTON SAYS
ONE Is NECESSARY.
SPAIN'S TREATY RIGHTS
CAN FLOOD THIS. COUNTRY WITH
HER GOODS.

supreme Court Decision Lets Down
the Bars-Spnin Has Free Trade
with Her Former Possessions for
Ten Years-spooner Amendment
Not Strong Enough to Protect
United states From Free Trade
With Philippines, Says Livingston.
China, Japan and the Far East
May Take Advantage of the Situ-
alton.
Washington, May 29-Representative
Livingston. who visited several of the de-
partments to-day in the interest of his
constituents, says there is some very Sc
rious talk among administration officials
as to the necessity of an extra session
of Congress as a result of the confused
condition of affairs in the Philippines, as
a result of the recent decisions of the Su-
preme Court. Col. Livingston discussed
the subject with the Secretary of War
and other members of the administration,
and the impression prevails that the
Spooner amendment to the army bill rel
ative to the Philippines is not strong
enough to protect the United States from
free trade with the Philippines under the
decision of the court.
Il may be mistaken in my understand
ing of the decision. said Coz Livingston,
but in my judgment and in the judg-
ment of many of the ablest lawyers with
whom l have discussed the subject, there
is nothing 10 prevent this country being
flooded with the products of the Philip
pines and Cuba, and also with immigrants
from those countries, notwithstanding our
existing tariff regulations and immigra-
tion laws. 1t must not be forgotten that
under the terms of the peace treaty, Spain
enjoys certain rights in the Philippines
for period of ten years. the same as that
enjoyed by the United States. Under the
decision of the Supreme Court, and in the
absence of special legislation by Congress.
Spain is permitted to empty such of her
products as she desires to unload
upon the United States. into the
Philippines, free or duty. These same
goods, according to my understanding of
the Supreme Courts decision, may be i'm
ported into the United States duty free.
China Japan and other countries in the
Far East, will have no difficulty in
lHelE INTO Ine EnlIp-
pines and then re-ship them to the
United States and thus avoid paying the
duty under the Dingley law"
A Serious state of Affairs.
II do not mean to be an alarmist,"
added Cob Livingston, but very se+i-
Gus condition confronts the business inter
ests of the country. In six months, the
time before Congress can assemble in
regular session. irreparable damage may
be inflicted upon this country by reason
of the confusing decision of the court in
the Porto Rican case, and its troublesome
silence in that case which might have
thrown some light on the Philippine ques-
| tion. l am not anxious for an extra ses-
| sion of Congress, but / believe it would
be wise, in view of the fact that the court
| imposes upon Congress alone the respon-
| sibilHy of dealing with this question, for
| the President to take immediate action in
| the assembling of Congress before too
great an injury is inflicted upon American
| commerce. 1t is probable designing for
| eigners are at this moment preparing to
take advantage of the present condition
of affairs to flood this country with i'm
migrants and foreign products by way of
| the Philippines. President Mckinley is
not one of the Presidents who fears to
| have Congress on his hands.
On the contrary he seems to
! like TO have Congress share the
responsibility with him. when he is con-
fronted by these troublesome problems.
! In view of the uncertainty and confusion
which surrounds this subject. the public
welfare demands that the administration
lose no time in trying to settle beyond
question the practical effect the courts
decision should have upon the business
interests of the country"
Livingston UphOIds Decision.
What, in your judgment would have
been the effect upon the country had the
| principal decision of the court been
| against the government? / asked.
Political and commercial revolution
| and chaos" replied Col. Livingston TT
| is difficult to estimate what the practical
| result would be-" he continued 1.-THE Re-
| publican party would have been discred-
tied the credit of the government seri-
ously impaired, great business interests,
corporations and trusts would have been
| either demolished at our institutions,
which would have startled the civilized
world. The conditions were such that the
| court just could not decide against the
| government. There is no doubt in my
mind but what the court had great diff
Guilty in deciding to sustain the govern
ment's contention. and al the same time
avoid violating their oath of Office in
which they were to support the constitu-
ton 1t is very serious business, and am
not surprised that the court hesitated so
! long before finally deciding as 1t did.
Neither am surprised that IT
refrained from committing itself
on the Philippine question as
there are grave doubts in the minds of
many friends of the administration as to
whether this government is in actual pos
session in the Philippines.
He Tells "A Georgia story.
| To illustrate the courts reluctance 10
pass upon the Philippine question, Col.
! Livingston related story which seems
apropos Several 2 Southern gentlemen
were returning home from an unsuccess-
ful days fishing. Their only catch was
an immense bull mud turtle. They gave
the turtle into the keeping OF the colored
boy who accompanied them and ordered
him 90 lug II home. The turtle was placed
| IN "A bog and slung across the negro s
shoulder. One Of The fisherman, who
was something OF ventriloguist,
concluded 20 have some fun at the
expense of the negro boy, and the tur-
tie The ventriloquist. thro wing his voice
into the turtle, made II seem TO say:
What you going to do with me. Jake2'
The negro boy instantly took fright and
began to trcmbe Again the voice In
qulred: say. Jake, what's you gwine
TO DO with meY Use gwine 10 drop you
right here exclaimed Jake. as he made
q dash down the road a fast as his legs
could carry him. This is about the way
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