The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-12

There is apparently no good reason for
doubling the denomination of the Hon.
William Mckinley for the Presidency at
the Philadelphia Convention. Here and
there small bursts OF enthusiasm for Ad-
miral Dewey are to be noted, and occa-
sionally we even hear a little shout for
Theodore Roosevelt. These are negligible
phenomena when We consider how abso-
lutely the Republican organization is
owned controlled and directed by bakers
dozen of trust magnates, to whom no other
representative in the White House could
be as satisfactory as Its present occupant.
1t is perfectly safe to assume that our
confidence in Mr.. McKinley's renomina-
ton is fully shared by that gentleman. But
he and We might differ as to the univer-
salty and heaytiness which is to mark the
predicted action of the convention. Indeed
If he would revisit the scenes of his dis
tinguished Congressional career for day,
in some ippenetrable disguise, and listen
TO the current conversation among Sena-
tors and Representatives in cloak rooms,
committee rooms, restaurants. and corri-
doris. We fancy that he would come away
with the idea that while he will not be
the victim of an open party revolt, between
now and convention time. he may think
himself fortunate if one-third of the dele
gates who are to vote for him dc SO With
any heart in the service.
What Mr.. Mckinley, disgu ised. would
hear at the Capitol he is not likely to hear
in the Executive Mansion. His immediate
advisers and prompters are little likely to
let him know how bitter is the feeling in
the House of Representatives. over his
course in dragooning reluctant members
into voting for the Payne Porto Rican in
fanny. and then shoudering responsibility 4
for the crime against humanity and the
Constitution upon them. There are several .
who privately declare that their support
of the Payne bill has cost them their re-
nomination ard surely involved loss OF /
their districts to the Republican party (
Naturally they do not feel amiably toward /
the chief, who frst exhorted them that I
Justice and good faith" demanded that /
We should give free trade to Porto Rico. 4
and. a little later, at the command of the |
oil, sugar, tphacco and rum trusts, or
dered then TO act with injustice and bad /
ialth toward the suffering people of the |
island.
Perhaps it is unnecessary to warn Mr.
Mckinley that the constituents of these re-
pentant sinners and the American people
generally will not feel any better satisfied
with them or him when the next develop
ment in this Porto Rican disgrace occurs
Surrounded as he is by all the modern con-
yeniences and facilities for shutting out
the truth. even he must have heard the
mGttering of storm that is coming this
way from Porto Rico. Whether he has or
not. he may be assured that the inhab-
itants Of the island are grievously hum:l-
lated to realize that they are treated and
10 be treated as outcast aliens. in defiance
of the foundation law Of the country op-
pressing them. and they are deeply sorry
they ever escaped from the comparatively
mild and careless rule and protection OF
Spain, only to become the serfs and sport
of the oil. sugar, tobacco, and rum mag
mates, operating through the blighting
curse of Dingleyism.
Beyond any doubt, if the determination
of the Administration 10 levy an Illegal
customs tax on the domestic commerce be-
tween Porto Rico and other parts of the
United States is carried out, the whole pop
ulation OF the island will join in a petition
to be released from the yoke of American
bondage and be returned to Spain. AS a
commentary upon the hypocrisy of the Re-
publican party and its trust-owned Admin
istration. such an appeal to the American
people and the worlds sentiment in favor
of Justice and good faith would be very
apt TO exert something the effect of a po-
iitical cyclone in November next. In view
of the foregoing, although Mr.. Mckinley
has exhausted most of the lightning change
opportunities afforded by the Porto Rican
there still is one open 10 him.
That is to return to his original position.
and if there is any coercion necessary Ia
Congress TO apply it in the interests OF