Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-06-03
BRYAN'S VIEW OF
INSULAR CASES.

Lincoln, Neb., June Taking for his
text the words Emperor Mckinley
W, j. Bryan tonight gave out an eN-
tended statement bearing on the SUI
preme Court decision in the insular
cases. Mr.. Bryan frankly admits that
the courts verdict Is extremely dis
tasteful to him, and the language he
employs Is more vigorous than Is GUS
tomary even for him He boldly de-
clares that the Supreme Court has
Joined hands with the President and
Congress in an effort to change our
form OF government, and he calls on
the people to repudiate the verdict
Mr.. Bryan says. IN part;
by vote Of five to four the Supreme
Court has declared President Mckinley
emperor OF Porto Rico and according TO
the press dispatches the emperor has
gladly and gratefully accepted the title
conferred upon him by the highest ju-
diclal tribunal of the land.
Those who were encouraged to believe
that the constitution had caught up
pnntment IN the DoWnel case, decid-
ed immoaateiy afterward, majority
OF the court, composed Of Justices
Brown Gray, White Shiras and Nc
kenna held that Congress could deal
with Porto Rico and the same loglc APP
plies to the Philippines without regard
to the limitations of the constitution.
chief Justice Fuller and Associate JUS
tees Harlan, Peckham and Brewer
dlssented in strong and vigorous lam
guage, but the opinion Of the majority
even a majority OF one-stands until
II is reversed.
The decision In effect declares that
the people are not the source Of power
II defends taxation without representa-
ton, and contends that the govern
ments do not derive their just power
from the consent OF the governed.
II assais the foundation Of the repub-
lie and does so on the ground OF ex-
pediencey.
The dissenting opinions brlstle with
presidents and burn with patriotism.
They ought TO awaken conscientious
Republicans 20 a realization OF the
meaning Of Imperialism.
This decision like the bred Scott de-
cision, raises political issue which
must be settled by the people The
Supreme Court has joined with the
President and Congress in an attempt to
change the form Of our government, but
there yet remains an appeal to the peo-
pie.
In order TO fully understand these
opinions Il must be known that In rul-
ing that the Dingley tariff rates could
not prevail against Porto Rico the
court did not act on the thetSy that the
constitution followed the flag during
any Of these periods under consldera-
ton
After an extended summary OF Jus
tice Browns reasoning, Mr.. Bryan con-
tinucs:
Throughout the majority opinion de.
livered by Justice Brown runs the the
DRY that the American Congress may do
anything not forbidden in the consti.
tuition. This is one Of the most repug-
nant features Of this opinion. Justice
Brown Seems 20 have searched the
constitution for prohibitions rather
than for that grant Of power which the
American people have always conceived
to be the true office OF that instrument.
MIR Bryan concludes as follows:
To what a glorious field for inspec-
IlON lllIN lNekif Nl lU' supreme court
has Invited the American peoplel Tn
der this opinion we are about 10 embark
on Great Btitan's colonial policy and
to ro0ssure ourselves. 10 quiet our con-
science we have hat 10 look at the
history OF Great Britain toward lis
outlying possessions since the American
revolution,
An Inspiring spectacle. indeed We
NAV took az gnuth Africa tvhara Cleo,
Britaln's unrtstralned possession Of
power has destroyed two promising re-
puhllcs and has drenchcd the soil with
the blood " patriots we may look al
India. whose people have been dying by
starvation Tor years; at India. whore
on several occasions the bounty and
generosity Of the American people have
been necessary IN order 20 secure hu.
man beings living under the sovereign
~ Of Great Britain from death by star.
walton.