The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-10

must not be lost slght or IN
~ the excitement Of political
discussion concerning the
udministration's Puerto Rican policy.
The constitution Of the United States
was not framed to fit all conditions
of human existence but to fit a partic-
ular area and set of conditions. The
people for whom it was framed were
people who had back of them centuries
of exceptional preparation for good
self. government on the basis of liberty
wisely regulated by law: they were not
IN the infant class of citizenship. TO
say that the constitution projects it.
self automatically wherever the flag
goes is to reduce f-government to a
farce unless 1t can be assured in ad-
vance that the flag will never go where
the constitution will not Immediately
and completely fit.
The Republican party's position in
this controversy is that the constitu-
tion does not go in letter to unfit peo-
Piles under strange conditions, hut that
il goes to them in spirit until such
time as they shall be uplifted and
fitted for the letter. Let us illustrate.
II the Democratic contention is cor
rect that the constitution Immediately
followed the flag. then every male
Filipino over q years of age is today
an American citizen, with a potential
right to vote at presidential elections
and to live under every law and GUS
tnp in
ment of the United States. But every
body knows that conditions in Luzon
are in no sense parallel to conditions
in New York or Pennsylvania; that
laws which fit the one do not and
could not Immediately, if ever, fit the
other. If the constitution is now in
force in the letter in the Philippines.
as the Democrats contend, the Dingley
tariff rates should prevail at Manila.
the Chinese inhabitants OF the archipel-
ago could not be stopped from coming
into this country and the products Of
Malay labor, on the low wage basis
characteristic of Oriental countries
would have to he admitted in our ports
duty free. to compete without him
drance with the products of our WELL
paid domestic labor. This is what the
letter of the constitution would require
in every acquisition Of new territory II
the Democratic contention We're to be
accepted by the Republican admins
tration as sound in principle. Such an
acceptance would inevitably necessitate
one of two alternatives: either the
abandonment of the Philippines as be-
ing burden impossible to carry. OF
the overthrow of our home protective
policy and the bringing of our economic
and political system down to the Malay
level.
The Republican party, as led by
William Mckinley. does rot admit that
either of these results is nece ssary: it
says in effect: I'VE will extend to the
new territories all the salient prin-
ciples of the constitution of the United
fore the law, protection in life. prop
erty and opportunity: free education.
free religion and training for better
citizenship: but we will reserve the
right so to make and adjust the laws
OF each special territory that they will
fit the special conditions OF that terri
tory and of the peculiar peoples who
inhabit it. If in the Philippines free
trade is for the best interests of the
FilipinOs, we will enact free trade, but
not until our right to do this regard
less of the conditions in other territory
Is affirmed by ruling from the SUI
preme court. So as to Puerto Rico
We will give to the people of Puerto
Rico every opportunity to develop their
agriculture, industry and peaceful
commerce under a merely nominal and
temporary revenue law which returns
to them for their own benefit all the
revenue thus raised; but we will not,
before the Supreme court declares IT,.
self on the constitutional issue raised,
do. that which might be construed by
that court as tending to acquiesce In
the'Democratic Interpretation"
The unacceptable fact of this whole
jumbled discussion Is that the boot
must be fitted to the foot in carrying
out the expansion programme, other
"iSS CAPdhrioh UtcotileS iHipOSSlDle.
Better that the people of Puerto Rico
should for two years submit. as some
pert critics of the president fiippantly
remark. "to'a Is per cent. discount in
their citizenship" which sacrifices
none of their privileges of self-im-
provement,, than that the whole struc-
ture of EXPANSION. SO iaboriously built
up by the heroism and sacrifice of our
soldiers and sailors. should be con-
verted into a pile of reproachful ruins.
The Democratic usurpers in Ken
tucky are passing a lot Of laws con-
ceived In prejudice and spite which
will return to. plague their authors II
the courts do not nullify them. The
hip-poeket style Of law-making is an
expensive luxury.
Senator Cualom. whose state is in the
storm center Of disahfection over the
Puerto Rican tariff bill. and who is
10 60 for reelection before the legis-
lature TO be elected this year. takes a
comnehdably philosophic view of the
matter. On sentimental grounds ne
fayora the immediata adnission of