The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-02-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Senator Ross Scored. The Doctrine
Announced in His Recent Speech
the Basis of Government for
the Colonies, Various Mat.
ters of Public Interest.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 10,

WASHINGTON, Feb. IL.
Editor Of Daily JourndL:-President Mon
roe's name went laundering down the
ages" as the inventor and patentee of a
doctrine" which has ever since guided the
destinies OF his country, and it now looks
as IL Senator Ross had also thus immortal
lied himself. doubt IL the Senator had
any idea OF the fame which his recently
enunciated doctrine az to the legal scope
OF the Constitution regarding the Philip
pines and our other colonies would bring
him, and the immediate acceptance of his
ideas by his party must be somewhat OF a
surprise to him Nothing was heard of this
contention in the councils OF the party
until after his speech on the subject, but It
is now the settled policy of Congress- The
administration bills for the government tof
colonies are all framed with the idea that
the Constitution does not apply to them,
and that they must be governed by Con-
gress by special legislation and by the
President arbitrarily without reference to
that document. OF course, il the Consti-
tuition applied, the government could not
levy duty on imports from the colonies,
as is now proposed, but the Senator's pre-
scription has been swallowed, cork, bottle
and all, and it is now the established Re-
publican policy. l think he had an idea
that whatever fame he might acquire
would come from his bill to reform the
consular and diplomatic service, now incu-
batting, and his instantaneous celebrity has
rather astonished him. The Democrats of
course insist that the constitution en-
braces the colonies, and that it is a suffi-
clent law for their government. The issue
Is thus made up, and the passage of the
bills now before Congress for the admins
tration of the affairs OF the various colonies
will be fought out on these lines. The
prime Democratic objection is to the tariff
tax on colonial imports, and on this issue
they will certainly put up strong fight
1t has heretofore-until Senator Ross rev
elatlon-been supposed that the United
States included all Uuited States territory,
and many people will hesitate to give up
this idea.
The congressional correspondent of a
prominent local daily paper says "Repre-
sentative Powers of Vermont was on the
moor OF the Senate yesterday and spent
considerable time in conversation with
Senator Ross. Mr.. Powers represents the
First district OF the Green Mountain State
ana Is one OF the most prominent lawyers
in New England" The two Judges are
sworn personal and political friends and
nave been for many years, and if they see
MT 10 enter into an offensive and defensive
combine 1t would add a very lively interest
TO Vermont politics during the next few
months Again, congressional combina-
tlon EN- oraclng other. parties would prob
aoly be at least equally effective. We will
see.
The Senate committee on Commerce has
favorably reported the bill to create q ODE
partment OF Commerce and Industries. :"
the head OF which would be cabinet officer
The bill among other things, gives to the
new department general jurisdiction over
the foreign and internal commerce of the
country-excepU internal revenue and GUS
toms-over transportation facilities by land
ana water except in cases under the jur-
lsdlcton OF the interstate commerce COM
misslon,-over the geological survey, all
mining industries, the fisheries and over
all manufacturing industries, including the
securing and extension of foreign markets
The vast growth and extension Of the BUSH
ness interests OF the country evidently
necessitates the creation OF such a depart
ment, and the bill will very likely become
a law. The administration is said to be
very much in favor Of the proposed meas
ure, and 1t is difficult to see what objection
the Democrats can find to it, This PROPOSE
ton Is of especial interest to Vermonters
from the fact that Senator Proctor is already
spoken of as the first incumbent of the Of
hce The slightest consideration will as
sure any one that the Senator has great and
especial qualifications for such position
and thus far it has been impossible to sug-
gest any one approaching him in training
and fitness for the place. 1t would be much