The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-20

canal and then deprive them of the right
to fortify and protect it. 1t is enc of thu
exasperating things about the Anglo
American alliance that Mckinley never
has the backbone to secure any adyant-
age by it. Great Britain in every case
uses the Administration to further her
own designs.
The single gold standard will pass the
Senate With the absurd clause tackled to
it SEATING that the act was not intended
Il. ni8ue any obstacle in the way of the
accomplishment of International bi-meta-
ollism secured by concurrent action OF
the leading commercial nations OF the
world.
The Republicans hoped by this clumsy
subterfuge to deceive the country into
the belief that it still, favored bi-metal-
lism. At any rate the leaders figured
that it would serve as a pretext in the
sections where there is Republican bir
metallic sentiment. In the course of
the debate the Democrats tore aside Thu ;
fiinlsy pretext. The Republicans were
made to acknowledge that they had
neither friendship nor desire for the es-
tablishment of bi-mctalism.
tn fact the idea of an international
agreement only showed how far the Adj
ADMINISTRATION goes in its idea of entang-
ling foreign alliances. 1t would be en-
tirely willing to have Great Britain de-
eide the financial policy of the country.
but is afraid to TRUST the representatives,
of it's own people.
Even McILinley's own Congress some.
times YEARLY sighs and wishes that he
could keep his mind made up the same
way for week at time. The latest
worry is that he has gone back on his
trade fireworks in his message and now
wants a % per cent duty ON commerce
between Porto Rico and the other por-
tions of the United States.
THE PORTO RICAN BILL.
His supple Henchmen will bow to the
new mandate but some of them who
don't know Mckinley very well have
been wearing off the door steps of the
White Houses i'll their mad pilgrimages
to consult William. and ask him If ..e
really means it. II is unconstitutional
and will keep the Porto Ricans in a
worse condition than Nnder Spanish mis-
rule, but the imposition of the duty viii
help to establish a precedent that Porto
Rico and similar possessions are not a
part of the United States, so Congress
will do what it is bid and the Admins
tration can at least defer the evil day
until the Supreme court passes ON the
constitutonality of such legislation.
The Flilipinos still keep our 10000
troops chasing about LuZon ON fruitless
expeditions. The beginning of the rainy
season in Luzon is only four weeks
away The instruction is no more
crushed than it was this time last year
The cost is appalling. The direct outlay
is in excess of $3.50, 100000 year. Even
Mckinley has no definite reason for im-
posing this burden on American tax
payers. The campaign of the Fdlipinos
is not so fascinating as that of the
Beers, but it is at least persistent.
Mr.. Myers, who is preparing the MIN
GRITTY report in the CrawfOrd-Pearson
contest case, says, The outr-a geous
grounds of the Pearson contest make me
bristle. There is nothing on which to
base a reasonable ground for contest.
That lis the sentiment of all fair-minded
mEn.
Rev. j. w. Lee. the Irish evangelist
recently tried in Greensboro on charges
affecting lis character, is in trouble here
He is living with a party who was first
represented as his wife and later as his
dear ward" An effort will he made
to rescue the young woman in the case
and send her back to the South. She
seems to have been hypnotized by Lee.