The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-19
THE PRESIDENTS Views
Congress Not Bound by the Consti-
tuition in fhe Colonies.
Mr.. Mckinley Believes That the Leg
.i.Intivc Branch of the Government
Has Plcnary Power Over the New
Possessions - Free Trade for One
and High Tariff for the others.
From the New York wOrld.)

OF 'Harper's Weekly" secured last sum
mer at Lake Champlain statement oil
president McKinley's views which attract
e.; attention all over the country. Mr..
Nelson recently called on the President,
and the countrys colonial problems now
pressing for settlement. formed the chief
| topic of conversation. While Mr.. Mckin-
| lev never gives an interview directly, the
| following Interpretation of his views may
/ be accepted as authoritative;
The President is sure that he is TO De
| renominated and reelected.
No mental process ever more sereneiy
revealed itself on the mobile mask behind
| which 1t supposed that 1t was working
than does the Presidents happy reflection
| on his immediate future. The Presidents
self-assurance is impressive, and as con-
vincing as the prideful glow that spreads
over the face of a boy who has been good
| that day and anticipates the commentator
| which he thinks is certain TO come.
II is important that the reader OF this
account of an interview with the President
I should bear in mind the intellectual ana
spiritual condition of Mr.. McKinley-his
deep consciousness of having done that
which the country will accept as right.
| speak Of an account OF an interview.
| II has fallen to my lot to interpret the
| president before and as | know that on
! that occasion made no mistake-at least
! none of which | heard from the person
| who next to myself would have been most
; injured by a mistake-i shall try once
| more: and again warn my readers not 10
take what / say as an interview. or as
word for the President. 1 am not III any
way speaking for him.
am 10 set down here. for the informa-
tion Of those who care TO be informed on
what is happening at u crucfai periou OIL
the country's history. the conclusions
which | beve drawn from a talk have JUST
had with the President at the Nnite
House.
The talk was interesting and important
and IL began upon the subject OF eur reia-
tions with the various islands that nave
come into cur possession from the war with
spaiu. There is an immediate and press
ing necessity for coming 10 some conciu-
sion as to the character of the govern
ments which are. to be established over
these places. and the President feels TINS
more keenly than can be expected from
members of Congress
Tbere are very serious conditions in Por
to Rico and I'M Hawaii. Affairs are going
so badly in the former isla-d that tue peo-
ple are suffering sore dir tress. ana the
J President is anxious for their relief. KNOW
ing as we'll as anyone can the serious Ell
feet upon cur prestige. upon the reputation
Of his own Administration. that wouiu 10
low an insurrection against our authority
The President belieyes-and this is tne
I most important statement that can posi-
: bly, be made touching his present beliefs
E that Congress has plenary power over
: Hawaii Porto Rico. and the Philippines.
!, He is ready to stand this view OF the
Constitution, view that must engender q
S discussion as to the Interpretation oil Inc
{ fundamental law second in Importance on
1 tfrar ri l.
!. tuticnal right of State to withdraw frcrl
the Union.
d / am quite sure that | am stating the
[ Presidents belief on this subject. although
s | am not sure that he is yet ready 10 &c
x into the campaign on the isste, or that he
is quite certain CT judicial support Tor MS
view He has however, brought himself
to the conclusion that Congress is mo-
bound BY the limitations Of the Constitu-
e ton in legislating for the Islands.
The Presidents Changed views.
e A change has come over him. The reso'
y luton which made him ruler Of Hawai-
: proyi ded that the laws of the Hawaiiat
Is Republic should apply TO the islands so IA
Ia as they did not contravene the constitu
A. ton of the United States. II vas also pro
= vided in the same resolution that the thei
10 | existing Hawaiian customs laws should re
IN main in force.
,s Now, the Constitution provides that al
2 taxes within its jurisdiction shall be UNI
"a | form. II, therefore. the customs law ma
"A been dealt with on the same principle tina
- | obtained in dealing with other subjects o
:, legislation. the United States tariff mus
i have attached to the Islands. But tn
"a | Congress and President at that time wer
apparently beginning 10 move toward tn
m conclusion which they have now reached
= In his annual message Mr.. Mckin!e
a spoke of the Hawaiians as entitled TO tn
70 rights and privileges granted or reserve
n, by the Constitution, but he referred onl
to civil and not to political rights.
At any rate. he now holds that Congress
~. may pass one tariff law for Porto Rico
m another for Hawaii, another for the Phil
no ippines. and that all may be different fror
= that OF the United States
a II does not appear likely To his min
-, that any question can ever arise as 20 III
~ civil rights OF the people Of these place:
4 Trying to describe Mr.. Mckiniey's E:e'
=, on this subject l. find IL dificnlt to hi
i; upon a Technology that will not be OTTER
IN s1ve to him. How are the islands an
II these people to be called? The island
-. cannot be called Territories, for the Con
W. s,itution speaks OF Territories. and, {
~ e eourse. the people are not citizens il ;he
:, are not governed and protected under th
=, Constitution But | would seem to
-. criticising Mr. Mckinley If l called thel
Subjects, and | wish simply to explai
IA his views fairly and without common
!. Perhaps it will be best to refer TO thei
10 o., natives, although all laws and rule
applying to natives must apply also
American citizens residing in the Islands.
81 A Benevolent Attitude.
Mr.. McKinley's attitude, then. towal
w the natives Is benevolent. He desires
elevate them, 70 educate them, and !
20 hopes that. in the end. they Will becon
ar worthy of being entrusted with local sci
IL government He does not think any
On, these natives are worthy now, except u
be few in Hawaii Upon whom ii Is intend'
to bestow the suffrage few more thi
possessed the suffrage under tie DO
Tue government.
RS. Mr.. Mckinley rests his belief on Il
the constitutional question on the groun
ich taken by Senator Ross. He holds that q
IRE Constitution only applies to a terrific
ms. when 1t is set up there by treaty or
of legislation. Upon this point there are a
c. thorities in his favor, but he goes beyol
rye the authorities as. Senator Ross does, al
In holds that Congress is not bound by I
ned limitations OF the Constitution when
enters upon the task of legislating-i. e..
or may refuse to the natives. and to I
at American citizens who may go to OIL. col
the MES, the right of jury trial, the right
free speech, the right to bear arms,
right OF peaceable assemblage. and OF /
T. | tition. freedom from unwarrantable {
rest. freedom from search-Ill tho
Nv rights which the Constitution gNrds
jealousy.
:. But the main purpose Of the Preside
In TO deal with the islands as markets