The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-25
Constitutional Rights.

Following the lead OF the Democrats
In congress. the anti-Imperialsts, as
they call themselves. have found
new cause Of complaint against the adj
ministration with respect to the acaui-
sition and retention of the island pos
sessions in the West Indies and Asia
The meeting in session at Philadelphia
on Friday passed resolutions to the eff
feet that the present administration had
denied that the inhabitants of the ISL
and possessions had any constitutional
rights. and that this policy violates the
principles upon which our government
rests, and not only subverts the liberty
OF these islanders. but also endangers
the permanence of free institutions in
our country"
These are high-soundins words. but it
would be something more to the pur-
pose n instead of this general denun-
citation the opponents of expansion
would point out any particular provi-
sions OF the constitution OF the United
States which enlarge the liberties and
increase the protection to the lnhabit-
ants OF the organized territories, and
the deprivation of which would subvert
the liberties of the islanders. The sim
pie truth Ia that the organized territor-
les of the United States are governed
today outside OF the constitution OF the
United States. and In manner which
Is sauareiy in the teeth of the declara-
ton OF Independence. and this eondi-
ton has existed since the early foun-
dalton OF the government, SO far as
the rights enumerated in the declaration
OF Independence are concerned. the In
habftants OF territory have none. They
are taxed without representation; con-
sress can and does legislate directly for
them. when It feels so inclined: congress
can and does annul acts passed by the
territorial legislatures at Its pleasure.
The president In whose selection the
people of the territories have no voice.
appoints not only the executive officers
but the judses to interpret and admin
lister the laws; instances are recorded
when the governors OF territories. ap-
pointed from outside the borders OF the
territories, have suspended the writ OF
haheas corpus and declared martial law.
and have been upheld In their power
SO to do BY the courts, Yet instances
Of the abuse of It's powers by congress
In It's dealings with the territories have
been practically unknown. and the
"permanence Of free institutions In this
country has never apparently been en-
dangered
Wherein do the conditions presented
by all the former territories differ from
those proposed tar the new island pos.
sessions. save In a detail designed solely
for the pscunlary benefit Of the people
OF the new possessions themselves The
one constitutional provision now invok-
ed and which II Is insisted applies TO
all the newly acquired territory, Is 'that
all duties. uapos,s and excuses shall be
uniform throughout the United states"
whereupon the argument Is based that
the tariff laws Of the United States ex-
tend over all the Islands. and that rev.
enues should b. collected there. as In
other parts OF the country. and turned
into the treasury OF the United States.
leaving to the inhabitants the neces-
sity OF raising revenue from other
sources 20 meet the expenses OF the To-
cal governments 10 be established In
the islands. This is the one solitary
constitutional question yet presented,