The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1898-12-15
M'KINLEY'S TRIP.
Can a Chief Magistrate Lave tho
boundaries Of His Own Counlry9
e.
i"'' however. Wouid Not Hold Good in
Ah's Case 1nasmuch - Cnb. and
fort" c. Are. or : ,on WI
he. Under Our Fa-.

.
: "AslIINGToN. Dec. IA report tla
d the president intends TO visit Cub, anc
Porto Rico at the FIRST favorable mn
portunity has become known in the
state war and navy departments. and
was quickly made the subject of seri.
Gus speculation among various Off.
Gals on account of the exceedingly in
terestlng questions it raised. Amony
other things there was spon.
taneous revival of the fiction that
inc chief executive could not pass
the boundaries of the United States
without forfeiting his office, It
Is peculiar how persistent is
the notion even among higher officials
that some constitutional or s.atu.orv
restriction confines the executive to
American soil, when. rs a matter of
TACT, although none of President Nc
hlnley's predecessors have ever left
the country during their terms of of
hce, their actions were alone affected
by considerations of propriety or prece-
dent which no one could hold 10 apply
in the present instance.
1t was generally recognized Il at the
president might naturally wish TO
make personal tour of inspection in
those islands as soon as he could spare
time from pressing public business in
Washington, and that no valid obicc-
tiod could stand against such tour as
he was understood to contemplate. 1t
is pointed out, however. that it would
be practically impossible for him to
spare the time requisite for such an
extended voyage as that TO Porto
Klco before congress adjourns on
March 4. which is. fortunately.
about the best time of the year TO make
short stay in the tropics. During tho
first six weeks Of the new year. in adj
dition To the continuous executive rOu-
tine business. the social obligations in
VOWED IN the programmes Of public
receptions and state dinners would re-
strict the president closely to Wash
ngton, and after next weeks southern
tour he will hardly find it possible to
cave the white house for more than
wo days at time before the beginning
If lent. in the middle of February. For
he ensuing two weeks, with the rush
If legislation which marks the closing
lays Of a short session of congress, {
here will be no leisure for the execu- {
i've and therefore his pennant could :
lardly fly in the harbor of Porto Rico {
'efore the middle of March.
With Havana only single nights 7
un for the dispatch boat Dolphin from 7
'ampa, there might be "A chance for j.
he president to Sp,nd two whole days !.
here in weeks absence from Wash
lgton, and remain always in close -
with the executive de- .
artments SO that if "A critical emcr- =,
ency occurred he could be in rail- II
ay train speeding toward the capital II
ithin Il hours. No thought is enter
lined, however Of presidential trip v
Havana before the Spanish flag is
auled down on January /. !"
Practical unanimity of opinion pre-
Nils among officials that the contem-
ated visit of the president to Havana
Is full warrant as his trip to Porto OF
leo so long as the American flag flies es
'er Cuba. although a few quibblcrs in
ay hold that Porto Rico itself OF
not actually part of the st
1ited States territory until con- 10
ess has made Il declaration to that III
,ect, either in so many words or 10y ~.
tifying the peace treaty of Paris. -.
lis fine point is not seriously raised ~
cept to show that Porto Rico and IL,
ba must be considered identical in 10,
w of the fact that they are gov in
ned precisely alike-by military Off sh
s under the immediate direction OF in
? president as commander-in-c chief. kn
e belief is expressed that the presi- diI
ut would not care 10 set foot in Or
ba if it were held to be foreign ter uIS
Ory, much as he might wish to see ~
, country. for that might be a per- t -"
US precedent to establish, but A.
one appears 10 controvert the right co
well as the advisability Of an exc or,
i've visit TO the new American pos col
sions, provided it does not involve abe
long an enforced absence from din
shington. mo
------ car
Gen. Lee and SfafY Sail ~