The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-17
GOVERNMENT OF COLONIES.

In view of the possibility OF the anncxa-
ton OF the Hawaiian islands. and OF the re-
tention of Porto Rico and the Philippines
after the present war. 1t becomes inter
esting TO inquire as to our constitutional
or political facilities for cmbarking upon
colonial policy.
Under monarchical governments there is
no difficulty In Selling new territories IN
the name of the crown and placing repre-
schtatives of the monarch in absolute con
troll. No constitutional obstacles stand in
the way and no special form OF government
for the conquered domlnions Is required
by the organic law of tho conuuerlng coun-
try. Under the American constitution,
however, we know but two forms OF local
government under the National govern
ment-~the state and Territorial. The
State Is supposed to be supreme In ite To-
cal affairs and we would naturally hest
tate to erect newly conquered islands, for
cgn to MS In language and customs. into
State governments. The only other form
to be adopted for such acquisitions is the
Territorial government but II has been
popularity supposed that even there the
local authority or management must re-
min In local hands,
Acting upon this idea many good people
in the United States have feared to eco
even Territories erected out OF the Philip
pines, Hawaii or Porto Rico, assuming tha,
the Territorial form of government would
quickly and inevitably lead to the admls-
sion of these foreign possessions as states,
According to a recent decision OF a
United States circuit court however In a
case Involving the character OF govern"
ment of Alaska. timid people need not
fear the introduction Of Filipplnos, Kama
kas. or Porto Ricans as active members of
our Union, with voice In our affairs
unless congress should see fit to so adj
init these new people 1t seems that con-
gress has full authority to prescribe any
KIND of government for other than
state territory, which may appear proper
TO IT, This decision OF the circuit court
of appeals reads
The Territorics of tho United States are
entirely subject to tho legislative authority
W 'NHhiNNNs iH'N are NOT Organized under
mo constitution, nor subject to It's complex
distribution OF the powers Of the government
as the organic law. hut arc the crrntiou eX-
oiuslvely Of the legislative department and
subject TO its supervision and control :.
congress may logislate In accordance with
mo especial needs OF each locality aud vary
US regulations to meet the circumstances OF
the people, Whether the subject elsewhere
would be n matter OF local police regulations
or WITHIN the state control under some other
pnwct, u Is lmmAterial To consider: In Ter
rtory an the functions OF government are
within the legislative jurisdiction OF congress
nnd may be exercised through local govern
nent or directly by such legislation as we
have now under consideration
Under this decision the United States are
rs fully equipped MS Russia for colonlza-
ton. We can hold our new subjects alb
solutoly at arms length for century
under the complete control OF congress
alone. II We undertake tho expansive
policy" and 1t is to be hoped we will not
the Federal supreme court should hold
this decision TO hp pond law