The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-03-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washiugto March 5-Two viola
tions OF the constitution 10 a single
week is the record of the republican
majority 10, the house-a record that
should drive the republican party from
power. 1t does not mitigate the offenso
against constitutional government that
Que Of these violations should have
been an attempt to partially right the
wrong coDmitted 10 the other. A
rightful thing wrongly done is often as
bad or worse than wrong When the
republican majority. driven By the
party whip. passed the bill levyiug a
ID per cent duty on the products of
Porto Rioo for period of two years, a
grievous wrong was inflicted upon the
Porto Ricans and the constitution of
the United States was violated. Later.
when the republicans became alarmed
at the vigorous protests from all sections
Of all the country against the proposed
robbery Of the helpless Porto Ricaus,
they again violated the Constitution by
doing a thing right iD principle in the
wrong way. passing bill placing more
than 81 900, 900. already 10 the Trea.
sury. aud all future collections under
Dingley duties under Porto Rcsu pro.
ducts. at the disposal Of the President.
to be expended under his discretion
for the benefit of Porto Rico. It is
perfectly right that every dollar OF this
money should be spent for the benefit
OF Porto Rico. but. as Representative
Bailey so forcibly pointed out. is ,is
everlastingly wrong, to turo over to the
discretion of one man money 10 the
Treasury of the u s., when the Con-
stitution expressly gives the right to
dispose OF money in the Treasury to
Congress. and not to the Executive
But good may come out Of evil These
things serve to aocentuate 10 the minds
Of the people the attitude Of the two
great political parties towards the
Constitution, to make plain that there
is only one Con Institutional party and
that is the democratic party.
Senator Jones. Of Arkansas, said of
the attitude Of the democrat seniors
toward the Porto Rico bill: "The
democrats accept the issues rendered by
the republicans. Porto Rico has been
annexed to the U 8. II is an integral
part Of the country The flag pro.
claims our eovereignty there. and the
Constitution follows the flag. The
| hok
discriminating legislation against the
Porto Ricans and Porto Rican products
is monstrous. We will 6ght it be.
fore the people from now until the bal.
lots are cast 10 November"
Senator Stewart, who has been
counted as couuteDancer il not an
actual supporter Of imperialism. said 10
speech against the Porto Rico tariff
"I DONE want any territory 10 which
the constitution does not follow the
hsg. We cannot discriminate against
any section of their own country If
our principles of free government are
not broad enough to cover any terri
tory under the Gag. then We would
bring back the flag"
Instead of avoiding the collision Of
imperialism and protection. as the
republicans who fafhered it intended
the Porto Rico tariff bill seem likely to
precipitate the collision, sud the repub-
lioaus to be called on to say whether
the country shall give up the Philip.
pines or the protective tariff II the
supreme court decides. as many believe
it will. that ell territory owned By the
United States is coustitutionally speak
Jog, q part of the United States, the
choice will have to be speedily made
and Senator Foraker has openly said op
the floor Of the senate. that be would
favor giving up the Philippines
Junketiog is catching Secretary
Root. accompanied by three members
Of bis family is officially juuketiug 10
Cubao waters. aboard q government
transport; Secretary Long is arranging
to take The house naval com mmittee to
Newport News, 90 q government vessel,
and there is talk Of q congressional
juuketiug party to Porto Rico, % sde up
of the joint house aud senate committee
aud their families
There seems to be trouble ahead for
the administration bill providing that
the sdjutaut general Of the army shall
have the rank Of major general. The
senate has adopted resolution. offered
by Senator Pettigrew. directing the
secretary of war 10 sepd to the senate
the record Of the court martial of Gen
Corbin. who was then q lieutenant
colonel, during the civil war. apd a
copy of q report made abcu, the same
time by Colonel Thomas j. Morgan.
relating TO the 6rst colored brigade, and