The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-14
One Republican Opinion.

1t is not permitted to Mr. Mckinley OF
say that their course in the matter is criti-
cised and denounced only by their political
opponents. The perAdy and disgrace of the
proceeding have been as wildly pictured in
debate by Republicans as by Democrats in
Congress, and no fact could be more noto-
Iious than that the broken faith of the ma
ton. and the violation by Senators and Rep
resentatiyes Of their osths to support the
Constitution. have excited almost as much
indignation among Republican as among
Democratic citizens throughout the coun-
try. In the House on Wednesday last Rep
resentatiye Henry C. Smith, Of the Second
Michigan district, and an earnest member
of the party in power, made a speech
against the Payne-Foraker bill. He said:
81 believe the policy Of this bill to be wrong
| believe that II Il the desire OF my constituents
and my plain duty 10 vote against the measure
Recently / have been in Michigan and have felt
the public pulse. and from the Detroit River to
the city of Grand Rapids / have hardly found
a voter within the limits of my State, Of what
ever political faith-RepHblican, Democrat, or
PTshibitionist- who iaYors this bill
"xhiie in Grand Rapids the State Prohibition
10
talk with many people from all parts of tie State.
Municipal elections held while was in
Michigan. and the principal theme Of conversation
WIS the Porto Rican bill and the sentiment is
HnSfmous or nearly against the measure.
Tise people Of Michigan are fairly on Blended
knees. praying that this cup may pass from them.
They not satisfied with ary so Tar
given for the change Of the policy OF our party
- set forth in tic Presidents message Indeed
snT reasons suggested are not taken by the
people 20 be reasons
Mr. Smith Is perfectly safe in holding
that the reasons for abandoning the policy
OF plain duty" assigned by the sponsors
and promoters of the iniquity ARE not
taken by the people to be reasons" either
in Michigan Or any other State or Terri
tory. American citizens as a rule have
sufficient intelligence to discriminate be-
tween truth and hypocrisy and falsehood
in case so obvious. They are not to be
deluded BY the assertion that the crime
was justified by the urgent need OF reve-
nue., for that necessity had been met by
the appropriation Of two million dollars
for the island. 10 be expended in giving
food and work 10 the starving inhabitants
The other stock argument thar a bill in
violation OF the Constitution was neces-
sary In order TO lay the foundation for a
test case TO show that the Constitution
was being violated. has never produced
any effect other than to bring derision
upon those who used II. No; the people
have not accepted any of the Administra-
lion excuses or explanations. They stIll
demand 10 be told why il was that where
as up TO the end OF the first week in Feb
rusry. Mr., Mckinley and all of his po-
litical ana legal advisers and associates
were agreed that free trade could not be
denied TO Porto Rico. because Porto Rico
was q part of the United States. and as
such protected by the Constitution, on
the eighth day of the month named, and
after heated conferences with representa-
tlyes Of certain offensive monopolies. they
one and all faced about and swore that
the Constitution extended nowhere beyond
The confines OF the organized States, ex-
cept by executive and legislative grace.
The people of this country know the
ground upon which the President declared
81 TO be "our plain duty" 10 abolish all
customs duties against Porto Rico. In the
first opinion prepared by Judge Magoon,
law officer of the War Department Division
of Insalar Affairs. which was adopted and
used b. Mr.. Mckinley. his Cabinet and