The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-02-28

COm1nOner Comment.
Extracts From w. J. Bryan's Paper.
BY WHAT

BY WHAT AUTHORITY.
We are told that an extra session of
congress will be necessary in order
that the Cuban constitution may be
ratified" or rejected"
BY what authority does the Ameri-
a congress presume to pass upon the
cuban constitution? Unless the United
States has sovereignty, jurisdiction or
control over the island of Cuba, no
such authority exists. And it will be
remembered that the war resolutions
distinctly stated that the United States
would not exercise Sovereignty, juris-
d1ction or control over said island K
cept for the paciication thereof"
With the adoption Of these reso.u-
lions congress delivered the Cuban
question over to the executive who is
charged with the disposition of that
question according to the terms of the
war resolutions.
Since the Spaniards were driven out,
all authority in the island of Cuba has
been exercised by the president, or by
men deputized by him. The people OF
that island were able to choose mem
bers of a constitutional convention at
YEA OlSCllOA, IL ludI ohotASa
tional convention adopts a constitu-
ton nodded on the lines of republican
form of government, and an improve
ment in some respects over II w
constitution, it certainly must be adj
mitted that "pacifcation' has taken
place.
The Cuban people alone have the
authority to adept or modify their
constitution. When a government in
compliance with that constitution is
organized it will be the duty of tie
president to withdraw the military
forces of the United States from that
island, and leave it's people to work
out their own destiny, overcoming OBJ
stacles in their own way exactly as
other peoples have been required to
do.
The withdrawal of the United States
from Cuba and delivery of power there
to the constituted authorities of that
island, is purely an executive act. The
question of pacificaticn involves a very
simple fact. The executive knows, as
the world knows, that Cuba has beeR
pacified. But if congress should as
sumo the authority to approve. reject
or modify the Cuban constitution, the
United States would be assuming SOW
ereignty, jurisdiction and control over
the island of Cuba, things which the
United States expressly disclaimed.
1t is contended by some friends Of
the administration that it is essential
that the United States shall be given
suzerain powers in that constitution
that the Cuban people shall obligate
themselves not to enter into treaties
with foreign countries without the
United States consent.
1t is further claimed that it is neces-
sary, that the constitution shall de-
clare that there shall be no interfer-
ence with vested rights" in the island
of Cuba.
In the first place, the claim to suzer-
ain rights is a distinct violation of our
disclaimer that the United States
would not seek to exercise sovereignty.
jurisdiction or control over said island.
except for the pacification thereof. It
is a distinct violation OF our pled~~
that after pacifcation is accomplishing
it is u intention to leave the COVE
ment Of that island to the 0mAa6Q
pie.
In the next place there
things morally or legalN sss
rights" in the island Of
during our military oQf
island.
It is true that
forces took posi- 5ndi-
Gates having the I OF the admins
tratfon have rushed in and have OBJ
tanned valuable franchises. but these
franchises are the property Of the peo-
pie of Cuba. Our military forces were
there for the purpose OF aiding in paci-
f~cation, and were not given authority
to vest any rights in administration
favored syndicates.
The anxiety of these syndicates to
maintain possession Of valuable fran
chises is perhaps the explanation of
the disposition manifested by the adj
ministration politicians to violate the
solemn pledge of this nation with re-
spect to the island of Cuba.
1t may be that congress will insist
Upon passing upon the Cuban consti-
tuition, but this will be mere assump-
ton. 1t may be that congress will
seek to modify that constitution ac-
cording to the whims of administra-
ton politicians and for the benefit of
administration syndicates, but con-
gress will be treading on dangerous
ground. In law and in morals it Will
be acting without authority. In fact,
it will be trihing with a people whose
history repudiates the presumption
that they will submit to imposition at
the hands of American syndicates and
American politicians any more will
ingly than they would submit to M
position at the hands of Spanish tyr
ants.
The president has been very quick to
encroach upon congressional preroga-
tive in the selection of a Philippine
commission empowered by him With
authority to make laws and to collect
and disburse in the Philip
pine islands. He now seems to be
equally ready to surrender a plain and
exclusive executive p%rerogatiye in car
rying out the wal resolutions with re-
speet to Cuba.
The Observation-Disclosures Hartman
railroad synalcare is prepared to show
the evils that would follow the control
Of all the railroads by the government.
The first evil they would point out is
that of having such an immense power
given into the hands of a few.
A large number Of gentlemen who
appeared at banquets or February IL
and talked about the patriotism and
wisdom Of Abraham Lincoln claim &
be thorough patriots and altogether
wise for promoting the very principles
that Abraham Lincoln enounce