The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-14

fed, and Puerto Rico and the Philip.
pines came into our possession, that mo.
rnent Spanish law having ceased, there
ensued In those new possessions a state
OF anarchy. lie. a condition without lawf
IL 80 that condition still exists for con.
gress has given them no government.
The idea is absurd. The moment those
islands hoisted our flag. that moment
they came under our law and by virtue
thereof we proceeded to protect life and
property. But what law, II not the
constitution? We have no law and can
have none except under our constitution.
Even the military law temporarily es-
tablished. Is under and by virtue Of the
constitution.
A recent interview with an alleged
member Of tho cabinet Is now going the
rounds Of the press. In which this officer
attempts to justify the absurd position
that the constitution does not extend 1t.
self to new territory. by arguing that II
so 1t would have carried slavery into the
territories In the early days, and that
was what the Republican party came
into existence to fight and overthrow.
The argument, II admitted. proves too
much. For 1t would follow that In any
new possessions, e. g., Puerto Rico, the
Philippines, or Hawaii, slavery might
now exist Notwithstanding the thirteenth
been said that no slave could breathe
the free air Of England. This is equally
true OF our own country today. and is
so by virtue Of its amended constitu-
tion.
II It be held that the constitution does
not reach newly acquired territory, many
interesting IL not complicated questions
are likely to arise. Suppose some for.
eign power should commit a depreciation
against the persons or property Of citi-
gems of Hawaii or Puerto Rico If they
are aliens and do not come under the
privileges of the constitution. where would
they seek redress? They could not ask
It, for they would be simply nobody
without any political status. We could
not ask 1t, for they are not under our
constitution-we could not enforce It
because they arc not citizens Of our ma
ton. On the other hand, suppose citi-
zens Of Hawaii or Puerto Rico commit
some depredations upon the persons or
property Of some foreign power? That
power demands reparation, where would
1t apply? Certainly not to us. these
depredators are not citizens Of the United
States; It Is true they are in our terri
tory. but they are strangers to us. There
would be no responsible government In
either island capable Of answering for
themselves. The power seeking redress
would probably knock the fallacy out Of
that position in short order, through
modern explosive speaking tubes, II we
were foolish enough to assert 1t.
What is the power that Is pushing the
Republican party and the country with
1t (for 1t ia in power now and must be
held responsibility into this absurd posi-
ton, contrary to the advice of the presi-
dent. contrary to the protests Of Gov
ernor General Davis; contrary to the
earnest entreaties of Commissioner Car
roll; which no Puerto Rican Is asking
for, but which all are crying out against?
This double edged tariff? 1t must be
something above politics or statesman
ship. Is 1t the mailed hand" of the
sugar and tobacco interests that is crack
ing the whip? This is suggested. Those
at the front should pause. Such an act
is very likely to be a weather breeder"
IF. j.. Hitchcock.
Scranton, March 13.