The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-12

Cuba and the Extra Session.


Cuba and the Extra Session.
We are happy TO say that the Cuban
news today justifes the hope that this
Government may not be called upon to
settle the question of its future relations
TO Cuba in haste. OF until the Intelligent
classes Of the island itself shall have had
opportunity 10 study and discuss the work
Of their Constitutional Convention.
The Administration has cable message
from Governor General Wood in which
that officer says the work OF the conven-
tioa may not be completed for months
Yesterday, it was decided by the body to
refer the matter of relations with the
United States to a special commission
with Instructions to report plan OF &C
ton to the convention. Work of such
character could not be completed within
the life of the present Congress.
Il. therefore. is seen that another, rea-
son which might be eoIorabIy assigned for
calling Congress in extraordinary session
has been removed from the field OF con-
sideration- The parliamentary situation
in the Senate is such that there is no
longer any general belief in the posi-
bility of passing the Subsidy steal be-
tween now and March 4 It is question
able If Mr.. Mckinley would bring Con-
gress together IN the spring 10 help the
job under expected conditions. Circum-
stances apparently have changed of late.
and the official and popular idea. that
the Supreme Court VIII sustain the Cen
stitution against the Administration in
the colonial cases, has no doubt created
an entirely new tentative policy
II the Spooner amendment TO the Army
Appropriation bill be adopted. it will not
matter what the Supreme Court decision
may be. as far as that ordinarily would
affect executive despotie power over the
Philippines The President in any case
would have authority to rule and govern
in any way he pleased. and without liui-
tation OF responsibility, until Congress
should resume its governmental preroga-
tive and proceed TO pass ANS for the Col
onies. In short, should the Supreme
Court hold. with Chief Justice Marshall
that Territories. organized OF morgan
lied. are integral parts Of the United
States, the obvious interest of the Admin
istration will be to keep Congress out of
the way as long as possible. and thus get
the chance to distribute the Philippine
franchises, sugar and tobacco lands. and
so on. among the trusts who want them in
any case. but. as measure Of seif-pres-
ervation, would fight desperately to mo-
nopoIize Them. we're the products of the
archipelago 10 be guaranteed free entry to
American mainland ports
N
could not be held without debate upon the
conditions Of executive despotisn i'm
posed upon the Philippines by the preced-
ing Congress. nor without interfering ma
teriaIly with the interests of the trusts in
their movement to secure control of ev-
eEything worth mentioning in the islands.
Even the safe Republican majority in both
houses OF the Fifty-seventh Congress
might take fright and hasten to relieve
the President Of the Congressional Ieg:s-
latiTe power surrendered 10 him, before
the franchises and land grant plans of the
Administration could be consummated, as
is being done so successfully in Porto
Rico So. we may conclude. almost with
certainty, that. much as Mr. Mckinley
might like to help Mr. Hanna in paying
Republican campaign debts TO the intend
ing Subsidy grabbers. an extraordinary
session would be apt 10 ieopardize other
campaign debts. and the feasibility of re-
deeming campaign or other pledges Of a
practical nature. much more important
from the Administration and sugar. to-
tacco. and Wall Street points OF view
Il would thus appear that Mr. Hanna's
chance to pass Senator Frye's pet fneas-
ure-" has narrowed down 20 his ability to
force action this week. His party agso-
ciates are understood 10 have accorded
him ali the time he may want until the end
OF Saturday-including night sessions If he
demands thcul-as q fnality. as far as the
Subsidy Job IS concerned On Monday next
it viii become imperativeIy necessary to
begin uninterrupted consideration OF the
appropriation bills. and there Will be no
further time to devote to the fight against
Senators who are resisting the most i'm
pudeut attempt IN the annals Of American
legislation TO loot the Treasury for the
benefit Of a few monopolists
Failure TO pass any one Of the great ap-
preparation bills would force the President
10 call the F1fty-seventh Congress togeth-
er in the spring As We have indicated
that is something which the Admfnistra-
ton is probably now very anxious 10 avoid.