The evening times., 1900-04-04
The Press on Porto Rico.

ne on FoEtO hico.
1t is hardly to be supposed that the Ad-
ministration is much surprised Il tie tore
OF the leading American papers today. 1t
has had ample notice that persistence in
the Porto Rican iEfamy would bring dOE
upon its head the unqualified denuncia-
tions Of almost all respectable Republican
newspapers in the country That notice
has been acted upon. and the character CT
editorial comment. especially in the Mid le
West and Northwest ought TO be pointed
and bitter enough TO fill the White House
and the Hanna headquarters with dismal
forebodings.
The Presidents own organ in ca. .cago,
conducted by his particular frinel, Koh'-
saat this morning told him plainly that
the American people viii not sIf1er the
obloquy this bill casts on their honor and
good faith to be perpetrated with impu-
nifty. and adds. warniugly: If the Pepub-
liCan majority permits it. there vii be a
reckoning with the Republican party by
Republicans next November" Other lead
ing journals long connected with the or
gsnization speak with equal Independence
and indignation.
In any ordinary Circums .ances neither Mr
Mckinley nor even Mr.. Hanna would feel
like turning deaf ear 10 such a universal
remonstrance as has developed against heir
course in regard to Porto Rico. Under most
conceivable conditions il would be easy
to suppress the second Magoon opinion.
and fall back upon the first which declared
that the Constitution extended to Porto
Rico when American sovereignty did Then
the party leaders in the House could be
and reinroduce and pass the abandoned
Payne free trade plain duty bill Un-
fortunately the situation is complicated
by deal. which was well explained by a
Republican representative TO a reporter f r
The Washington Evening Star" The in
formsnt was quoted as saying that it Gid
not matter how great popular outcry
might be raised against the iniquity. The
Administration would do everything possi-
bic to enact il into law, since upon such
result depended an enormous contribution
to the Republican corruption fund. He
considered it vastly more necessary to get
hold of that money, than at this time to
placate public sentiment. no matter how
widespread or vindictive it might appear.
In view Of known and indeed obvious
conditions. it is reasonable to assume that
the party lash will be applied with indus
try and force to the backs of Representa-
tives who are in any danger of being in
fuenced by conscience. or the wishes or
protests of their constituents The Job
may be a tough one but perhaps not much
more so than that which Hanna has per-
formed in the Senate. Although numbers
Of House Republicans thoroughly realize
that in voting to perpetuate the uncon-
stitutional tariff outrage on Porto Rico.
they will be attending their political fu-
nerals, We can see no reason for doubling
that, when called upon to do so. they viii
walk into the trust pen and be counted
ds they have without apparent shame On
previous occasions.
The probabilities are that their sacrifice
by their masters and overseers in the
shambles Of injustice to Porto Rico. will
result ID DuL lne SMALLEST ana DFieleSt
advantage TO the benefciaries of the crime
The New York Herald" has begun a
movement which, possibly. may settle the
constitutional status of the island within
the next sixty days. 1t has hired Porto
Rican, under contract entered into at San
Juan, to perform labor in New York. The
custom house authorities have refused en-
try to this person, on the ground that he
is an alien contract laborer A writ of
habeas corpus has been sued out in the
United States Circuit Court, alleging that
the detained Porto Rican is not an
alien, but a citizen OF a territory
which is a part of the United States. and
hence, is citizen of the United States
Civil suits-as attempts TO reach the tri-
bunsl of last resort for a decision on the
right to collect duties on domestic COM
merce-are susceptible of being delayed
for months il not years-at any rate until
after the Presidential election. But habeas
corpus proceedings are privileged. have the
right of way, and must be heard The
power OF the Administration to obstruct
and delay them is nearly nil 1t is believed
that the Herald" case will be be-
fore the Supreme Court before the middle