The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1901-06-06
FIX TIE NATIONS POWER
The Supreme Court Justices Hand
Down Their Decision in the
Insular Cases.
ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY is UPHELD.
Territory May BE Acquired by War or
Treaty Without Becoming Part of
the United Subscriptions Make
Clear tat of America Toward
New Possessions.

NdSullStO u, Muy So.-lue Oullcu
States supreme court Monday handed
down opinions covering all of the is
sues on the new insular possessions
which have been in controversy. AL
though several of the decisions upheld
the contestants on certain issues
raised, yet in the most important de-
%cision, that of Downs against Bid
well, Justice Brown announced the
sweeping decision of the court uphold
ing the general attitude and policy of
the government up to the present
time.
Congress Has Power
The effect of this decision is to o
firm the constitutionality of the For
aker act and to give congress power to
deal with the newly-acquired territory
in such manner as the legislative
branch may consider suitable for the
new territory. The decision also had
the effect of declaring that the new
insular possessions do not by virtue of
the treaty of cession acquire all the
ton.
PO1nts Settleu. 4
Briefly summarized, the decision
settles the following points:
1. That the island of Porto Rico is a ter
ritory appurtenant and belonging to the
United States, but not a part of the United
States within the revenue clause of the con-
stitution.
2. That the Foraker act is constitutional
so far as it imposes duties upon imports
from Porto Rico. (.
8. That the constitution is applicable to
territories acquired by purchase or cor
quest only and so far as congress shall SO
direct.
4. That power to acquire territory by
treaty implies not only the power to gov
ern such territory, out to prescribe upon
what terms the United States shall receive
its inhabitants and what their status shall
be.
S. Tha it is doubtful If congress would
ever assent to the annexation of territory
upon the conditions that its inhabitants,
however foreign they may be to our hab-
its, traditions and modes of life, shall be-
come citizens of the United States.
6. That the inhabitants of the new pos
| sessions, wen if regarded as aliens, are en-
titled under the principles of the %consti-
tuition to be protected in life. liberty and
property.
Z. That large powers are necessarily in
trusted to congress In dealing with these
problems n That abuse OF these powers
would receive quick rebuke at the hands of
the people.
s. That duties collected under the Dingley
tariff act on Porto Rican products were COL
lected wrongfully and must be refunded, as
that law applies only to foreign countries.
9. The right of the government to collect
duties on Philippine products is extin-
guished.
Are Subject to Tax.
Washington, May 29.--The treasury
officials discussed with much interest
Tuesday the decisions of the supreme
court Monday in the insular cases and
the conclusion has been reached that
nothing in these decisions is conclu,
sive upon the government to change
its administration of the customs laws
as to the Philippine islands, and, there
fore, duties will continue to be collect.
ed on imports from those islands as
heretofore and until the court shall
have decided specifically that the is
lands are in the same situation with
respect to the United States as Porto
Rioo a ~ ..-