The evening times., 1900-03-28
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
WEDNESDAY. MARCH q. 1900.
The Senatorial Situation.

Since Mr.. Foraker, yesterday, introduced
his amended measure for the imposition
OF unconstitutional burden upon the do
nestic commerce OF Porto Rico. the free
trade Republican Senators have had time
TO think IL over, and have come to the con-
clusion that Il is quite as vicious, illogical,
and illegal as the original Payne PROPOSE
tiou. They will antagoGize it. but prob
ably not as vigorously as they would were
it not for their conviction that the House
viii destroy il utterly on its appearance
before that body. and pass a free trade
bill which public sentiment will force the
Senate TO accept.
Mr.. FOraker's latest trust production is
highly interesting exposition Of present
Administration hypocrisy. The Did bill re-
tained a trace Of the original constitu-
tional views Of President Mckinley. Sec
Tetary Root, and Representative Payne,
in that IL described the Porto Ricans as
citizens OF the United States. The new
measure depriyes them Of that distinction
and calls them citizens Of Porto Rico"
Comment on this point would be super
Huous. In the debate yesterday Senator
Morgan asked Mr.. Foraker if national
banks could be established in Porto Rico
under the proposed law. The latter an
Swered that all laws OF the
United states not locally inapplicabIe
were extended to the island by the bill.
Then" replied Senator Morgan. Porto
Rico Is not a foreign country. There is no
question about the logic of that PROPOSE
tion,"
Il seems a pity that the trust element in
the Senate. in its attempt &c override and
defy the Constitution. is not better able to
conceal its game. and its obvious con-
sciousness that IL is an unfair and a swind-
ling game. The people Of this country are
not ounces. and are quite competent 10
draw correct conclusions from the admis-
sion OF a leader like Mr. Foraker. that the
laws Of the United States. except TO the
extent that Congress may suspend them
extend to Porto Rico ex proprio vigore
The people will ask themselves: If tn,
laws Of the Union 50 extend themselves
how Is it that the Constitution upon which
they are necessarily based does not2 Aut
the masses viii not have to resort TO an,
long and complicated mental process C
find the answer.
The Senator in charge Of the iniquity is
quoted as expressing entire confidence thai
he has enough votes pledged to accomplish
81 whenever he can secure final action
just when that will be it is not yet easy tc
say II the Republican eonstitutiOnalisls
IN the Senate think that delay will serve
10 further fortify House Republicans in a
desire TO show their repentance for the
Payne crime. they may pursue a course
calculated TO cause delay. But delay. on
The other hand. might give the trusts and
the Administration an opportunity to deal
in their customary manner with recalci-
trdnt Representatives and possibly to in
due" or whip a sufficient number into line
10 carry out their purpose. The con. .ensus
ot opinion in political circles this morning
seemed 10 be that vote might be reached
some time next week; but the situation
is such shifting one that any positive
prediction is liable to be wrong. in view
Of possible intervening circumstances.
In the meantime the country is closely
studying and taking to heart the object
lesson presented TO it. and is daily reaIIz-
ing. more and more. what plain duty
and every consideration Of justice and
humanity" viii render right and mandate
ry on the 9Th Of November next