The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-19

gains, but that he IL confident that II is !
the best means Of lifting up the natives |
who have-fortunately for them. he thinks
come within the jurisdiction OF the |
United States.
It is important to digress a moment |
for the purpose OF saying that the Presi-
dent is largely under the influence OF GER
tain clergymen. one OF whom considers
that he is the chosen champion OF
Professionalism in its imaginary war with
Romanism, and this accounts in large
measure for his conviction that in spread
ing Christianity and civilization arong
the heather he Is gaining and keeping the
approval Of good Americans. Mr.. Mckin-
lev Is A LOYAL Methodist and Is naturally
stirred and moved by the enthusiasm and
spirit Of that important denomination.
The Islands and Protection.
To return to Mr.. Mckinley: Thinking
that he is doing the islands of the Pacihc
and the West Indies a good that is quite
beyond calculation. he does not accept the
doctrine that the Constitution must con-
troll his efforts and the efforts OF Con-
gress. He thinks, for example, that 1t Is
much better for all concerned that Con-
gress should be at liberty to fix any tar
in duties it may choose upon the islands.
All the tariffs may differ from that OF the
United States, and the island tariffs may
differ one from another.
1t is necessary, in his opinion. as mat
ter Of course, that the Republican -erty
and its policy should remain dominant.
The success of the Democratic party
would destroy the industrial and coleman
fabrics which have been reared py ,ne
Republican party in peace and IN war.
The protected interests having been punt
- Ia
essence of its life, the principle which is
triumphant In the party's national policy
must become part OF its colonial policy.
In other words. there must be wise
discrimination, IL / understood the Presi-
dent correctly-and | am sure | c'd-'ne
capacities, productions, and needs Oh eacn
colony being dealt with on its own merits'
! consideration being had also to the neces
stiles OF the competing and protected
products OF this country.
Therefore. it does 't follow, on inc
| Presidents theory, that IL free trade rs
| established between this country ana
Porto Rico there should not be pro-
tective tariff against the products OF the
PHILIPPINES and of Cuba, for Cuba IL talked
about. naturally, in Administration circles
| and in Congress as IL its annexation 10
this country were a matter OF course.
One thing is settled definitely in respect
! of the Philippines The open door is not
/ to be applied to them. The Republican
marty viii not consent TO give to the Asiatic
world an opportunity to land its goods III
the Philippines free OF duty. to enjoy what
ever modified tariff there may be estap-
lished between the Philippines and TINS
country.
The protected interests are not TO be In
! iured by the annexation OF any territory.
/ Mr.. Mckinley did not favor Tree trade with
/ Porto Rico until he was satisfied that no
harm would come to any american IN
terests. He was On course. moved by COM
passion for the people, VITO. he believes.
have been injured for the time being. oy
our rule by the suddenness OF the emer-
gency. and the failure or inability oil Con-
gress to grant immediate relief. But ne
embraced the whole field in his examina-
ton. the views of the Porto Ricans and the
interests of American citizens. and came
10 the conclusion that they harmonized.
He says that he is proud. il 1t be proper
for him to feel pride in any act OF his own
of his recommendation that the Porto
Rieans have free access to our markets.
He is sure that If it were not for that rec
orrmendation In his annual message Con
cress would have applied full Dingley rates
to Porto Rico and the misery which wouid
have resulted from that action would have
been appalling
tourre.s md Porto Rico Duties.
The modified bill. then. now pending be-
fore the two houses of Congress. reducing
! the rates on imports and exports oetweer
, Porto Rico and the United States to z
, per cent of the Dingley bill is. the Presi-
) dent thinks. the result of his message urg
ing free trade. and he still thinks tha
Republican congressman Will yet come u
his views. although he will probably d.
nothing more to impress that view OF
them.
He says that they are now at the poin
where he began. and they will reason
themselves into belief In the sound polio!
Of free trade just as he has done: fo-. h
r saws the tobacco men of the Connection
Valley will be benefited by free trade Will
Porto Rico. and the sugar men are merei!
, fighting against the establishment oil
precedent. dreadng what might happen
the free trade policy should be applied u
| the Philippines and to Cuba.
This brings us to the Presidents pon
4 of view Of the constitutional question. HI
I, | regards his attitude as essentially tn
= proper Republican attitude. When con
b. , stitutiural question is presented-ques
= | tions involving the extent OF national Juris
a diction-the Republican naturally favor
= the broad Interpretation and the Democra
| the INTERPRETATION that would restrict IN
: nowers Of the General Government. Il
:, | this instance the question concerns part
d policy. .,,..
II IL should be held that the Constitu
tion APPLIES to the new possessions. Tn
. tariff policy of the Republican party woui
|, be weakened and the protected interest
= would be offended Therefore. the tendene
:, of the Republicans is to interpret the Con
stitution in such manner as TO NEE
, what they regard as the evils which woul
follow the acceptance OF the new posses
Z sions as parts of the territory OF the Unite
a. States.
:. This makes the Constitutional questio
= political rather than judicial. ard IN
!, mind that is working in the direction
y the end which Mr.. Mckinley has reaehe
finds IL rather easy to sustain the con
: clusion most satisfactory to 1T by prs
:, cedents which to other minds prove pFe
. cisely the opposite.
u To sum up, it is Mr.. Mckiniey's bele
y and il will be his purpose to carry the be
NJ lief into operation, that the Constitutio
~ does not apply to any OF our new islands
l. that these people are not fit for seh-go'
III eminent beyond that proposed for Hawai-
. that our new possessions must not be pei
~ mitted TO injure any of our protected IL
terests. and that free trade with Por'
pico is right because our protected intei
"a ests will not be injured thereby.
HENRY LOOMS NELSON.
N x-&,1 ,-<,u, a rr-