The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1900-05-31
Mckinley IGNORED
THE CONSTITUTION.
Former Secretary Boutwell,
Says Administration
lev is not JuStifable.
PRESIDENT HELD RESPONSIBLE.

New York. May 24-Cooper Union
Hall was packed tonight with mem
beers OF the AutiImperiali-ric League.
their friends and sympathizer-.
The audience was with the speak
~. as was attested by the bursts OF
wiId applause that followed the many
severe arraignmeuts OF the present
administration policy. Carl Schurz
spoke briefly, giving way 70 former
Secretary Boutwell, OF Massachusetts,
"A life long republican, The New En-
gland statesman severe criticism of
the president Of his party created a
deep impression.
At-the conclusion OF the speaking
resolutions on the line OF the speeches
were adopted by rising vote.
JUGGLING THE CONSTITUTION.
Mr.. Boutwell, said in part:
II have set myself the task of spec
flying some of the errors in which
President Mckinley and his admins
tration have INDUCED in regard 10
the Constitution of the United States |
and shall then mention some of the |
pretexts that have been resorted TO |
a apologies or excuses or shields for |
what has been done There are indi-
cations that attempts are making to
so cOnstrue the constitution as to
justify the policy OF Selling, through
war, foreign lands and alien peoples.
and governing them as they might
be governed if the constitution of the
United States did not exist.
1T is the manifest purpose of the
a ADMINISTRATION TO seize and TO hold ,
c puntries and TO govern races and .
communities outside of the iurisdic-
ton OF the constitution. Thus is the {
administration creating a power in I
the president and congress independ- !
ent OF the constitution, and over ,
WHICH the people can have no control. Q
1t Is with that usurpation that | am I
now TO deal. The question before I
the countryis this: Republic or En- v
pire?
CONGRESS-, POWER LIMITED. n
The claim that congress may ex- /
tend the constitution TO the new ter =
ritories is only a restatement of the I
claim that the constitution does not t
apply of its own force to our newly
acquired possessions, and that the
power of congress over such posses .
slons is an unlimited power. e,
Congress is to obey the constitu- g,
ton. 1t has no power to increase or e
diminish the scope OF that instru- o
ment =
~ henever a territory is acquired, p.
either by purchase or conquest, the :,
becomes Immediately in
and 10y its own force the fundamental
aw OF such acquired territory, or it ri
must remain forever outside of the pr
and. consequently. out az
ide OF the Jurisdiction OF congress. OF
nasmuch as congress cannot legis re
ate beyond the jurisdiction of the RI
the source, and the sole nc
ource OF It's Legislative authority. ha
The inquiry thus made leads to these Al
onclusions, viz:
Il. Whatever territoryis acquired.
'hether by conquest or purchase. Ell
uch territory becomes subject to the o.
onstitution, and that without the We
Id or agency of any branch or de to
artment OF the government OF the an
nited States. ma
- The power of legislation by COZ
ongress over such territory is fixed ins
nj limited by the constitution. Nc
3. That power is so limited that
ne duties, imposts and excuses must sec
the same in the newly acquired eni
ossessions as they may then be in VIII
lepre-existing States and territories ha
the same periods of time. tn,
II. The claim that Congress NAV val
overn Territories and provinces ves
nat are not within the jurisdiction liz
the constitution. or that Congress cot
lay extend over Porto Rico. or the pol
hllippines. or Japan, is an assump- I
on OF arbitrary power that must of
rove fatal to our republican system. mol
hese conclusions are i'll harmony an,
it'll the decision of the Supreme Court At
the United States, with the opinion "
Chancellor Kent, with the decision. his
Ter argument OF an International dat
lounai' IN which the United States APP
: