Speech #560048497

Almost immediately more than $2.000.000 were appropriated out of the Treasury for that purpose. more than enough to meet the public requirements of the people of that island for the coming two years. and that argument was destroyed. Next. it was claimed that there was a difference of opinion as to whether under the Constitution the proposed tariff could be lawfully imposed. and that in order that the question might be speedily brought before the Supreme Court and authoritatively settled. it was necessary that the bill be passed. the collection of the tariff resisted and enjoined. and a case made. To expedite the decision of that question parties in New York City contracted in Porto Rico with a native of that island to perform for them labor in New York and brought him there under contract. and he was arrested. with the statement that he was to be deported.. The New York parties commenced habeas corpus proceedings under the claim that the Constitution extended to Porto Rico. that the Porto Rican was a citizen of the United States. and that in consequence thereof the foreign contractlabor law was not being violated. Habeas corpus proceedings have the right of way. and it seemed that the alleged -purpose of the supporters of the tariff feature of this bill would be immediately accomplished when the Secretary of the Treasury caused the question to be dodged by ordering the release of the prisoner. and that argument went out of the window.