The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-05-10
good Lord. Good Devil Politics.

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1t is a hard undertaking when enc is
compelled to walk on eggs under heavy
penalty for breaking any OF them but
that is about what the Republican platform
makers of The year are called upon 10 do.
The result is that they are not taking
any unnecessary risks and are treading
so lightly on dangerous subjects that if
the same were water the feet Of the walk
ers would not sink 4 hairs breadth or
cause a ripple. We are minded 10 offer
these reflections on reading with more
or less satisfaction and amusement the
SNUG and pIatitudinous observations on
Porto Rico and the trusts Of the platform
put out by the Connecticut Republican
State Convention. which adjourned at
Hartford on Wednesday The insular plank
is as follows:
I'VE recognize the fact that many difficult
questions confront the nation in the government
Ard control Of Porto Rico and the Philippine
Islands. We believe that these questions can and
viii be answered 10 the complete satisfaction Of
the inhabitants Of those islands, and in strict con
fernity 20 ghe terms Of the Treaty of Paris We
believe that the nation has hOu0Tabiy and right
fully acquired absolute title 10 distant islands of
great strategic and commercial value We be icvc
that II is the high and sacred duty Of the nation
lngs OF liberty peace, and happiness
The Nutmeg patriots are exceedingly
kind TO concede as much as recognition Of
the existence Of many difficult questions
in connection with our relations to Porto
Rico. They are also optimistic. but not
unduly So in predicting that these ques-
lions Will be answered to the satisfaction
of the islanders. Whether they will be
settled in strict conformity to the terms
OF the Treaty of Paris" will. of course de-
pend upon whether those terms conflict
with the Constitution OF the United States.
n they should be found TO 50 conflict. then
they VIII not stand But the Porto Ricans
though now suffering under illegal and IN
constitutional oppression. Will ultimately
be freed and their American rights and cit
iEeuship affirmed and established as soon
as the Supreme Court can get chance TO
endorse the opinion handed down by the
Federal District Court in the Ortiz case.
Probably the Administration Will be able
to dodge the issue and prevent test case
from reaching the Supreme Court until af-
ter the Presidential election; but. mean
while. Judge Lochren's decision will be
accepted as law by all intelligent and hon
est Americans.
The Connecticut trust plank is a thing Of
beauty in its amiabIe differentiation OF
good and virtuous trusts, from the kind
which are bad, naughty and wicked, and
utterly unworthy the love Of the angels 1t
bleats;
$50 far these great corporations strive To
lessen the cost OF production without lowering
the standard cf waGeS, 90 the end that hey NAV
successfully enter and command the markets Of
the world 60 the advantage OF the Amer lean CON
sumner and wagc-raTneT they may wei b. endured
But the American people viii neve. endure
mouopolies which result in injustice 20 Iaborcrs
or eNtOrtiOnate prices TO Consumers and We be
lieve that Congress and the legislatures Of the
several States should without delay enact such
laws as may be necessary 10 protect stockholders
against fraud. aborers against injustice, and con
suners against eXtortion."
We have long recognized the distinction
drawn by the Connecticut machinists be-
tween trusts which should be encouraged.
and those which are altogether vicious and
intolerable. The first class is composed Of
those which contribute royalty to the Re
publican corruption fund The second in
cludes all that do not