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

II Il not permitted 10 Mr. Mckinley or
his associates in the Porto Rlcsn infsmy TO
say that their course il 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-
1ious than that the broken faith Of the ma
ton. and the violation by Senators and Rep
resentatives 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
resentative Henry c. Smith, OF the Second
Michigan district, and an earnest member
Of the party in power, made speech
against the Payne Foraker bill. He said:
81 believe the policy Of this bill to be wrong
believe that il Is tie desire OF my constituents
and my plain duty 10 vote sgsinst tie measure.
Recently ] have been in Michigan and have felt
the public pulse. and from the Detroit River 10
The city Of Grand Rapids I have hardly found
voter within the limits OF my STATE Of what
ever political faiih-R Republican, Democrat. OF
Tsshihitiouist who favor tlis bill
'-Hlils in Grand Rapids the State Prohibition
tsk with mzny people from all paris Of tie state.
Municipal elections were held while ia
Michigan. and the principal theme Of conversation
uzs he Pore RlcaE bal, and the sentiment Is
tuanimous or nessiy against the measure.
TIE people Of Michigan are fairly on Blended
knses pIay inE that TINS cup may pas from them.
Ther are not satisfied with aEv reason tar
gwen for the change Of tine policy Of our party
- sei forth in ti4s Presidents message Indeed,
any reasons suggested are moi tahen bg Tie
people 20 be reasons
Mr. Smith is perfectly safe ia holding
that the ressons 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 sny other State or Terri
tory. American citizens as a rule have
sufficient intelligence to discriminate be
tween truth and hypocrisy and falsehood
IN a case so obvious. They are not to be
deluded by the assertion that the crime
Vas justified By the urgent need Of reve-
nue.. Tor 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 thsi a bill in
violation OF the Constitution was neees-
sary In order 70 lay the foundation for
test case TO show that the Constitution
was being violated has never produced
any effect other than 20 bring derisiOn
upon those who used H. No, the people
have not accepted any Of the AdminisJrs-
lion excuses or explanations. They sim
demand 10 be told Rhy il was that where
as up 70 The end OF The first week IN Feb
ruary AR Mckinley and all Of his po-
litioal and legal advisers and associates
we're agreed that free trade could not be
denied 70 Porto Rico. because Porto Rico
vas 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-
tlves OF certain offensive monopolies. they
one and al 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" to abolish all
customs duties against Porto Rico In the
FIRST opinion prepared by Judge MagOou
law officer OF the War Department Division
o. InsulEF Affairs which was adopted and
used b. Mr. Mckinley, his Cabinet and