The Saint Paul globe., 1901-06-24
CHAIRMAN JONES' VIEWS.
Chicago Chronicle.

Chicago Chronicle.
Whatever congress does during It's
session next winter in the direction Of
establishing d government for the Philip
pines. its further treatment of Cuba and
Porto Rico and its attitude on the grow
ing demand for tariff reform and for the
building of the Nicaragua canal, these
things Will furnish the issue of the con
gressional campaign in 1902. and, per-
haps. for the presidential campaign two
years later"
Senator James K. Jones, of Arkansas,
chairman of the Democratic national
committee, made this statement to The
Washington correspondent of the Chron-
icle this afternoon.
IF the supreme court decided any
thing" said Senator Jones. 1T decided
that congress has undoubted authority
to legislate for our island possessions.
That right being esta blished beyond per-
adventure the Republican majority of
congress cannot longer escape the re-
sponsibility Of providing a government
for the Philippines. The character of the
government that will be extended to the
inhabitants of the islands will determine
one of the most important issues of the
next campaign. The whole insular policy
of the Republican party Will be more
nearly on trial than 1t was last year when
that issue was partly Obscured by condi-
tions that made President McKinley's
success certain
1.-The people were enjoying prosperity
after years of depression and as they be-
lieVed Mckinley was responsible for their
good times they decided to vote for him
regardless of governmental policies. The
question of good times will not enter so
largely into the next campaign. The
voter will stop to examine the Mckinley
fnsular policy and will determine in his
own mind whether he likes it or not
Our future attitude toward Cuba will
have a great deal to do with settling the
issues. The president will attempt to
play a shrewd part in dealing with this
island While pretending to give the
Cubans q free hand he will in reality cir
cumscribe their powers and leave them
almost completely subject to- the govern
ment in Washington, All of the signs
point that way now
81 do net believe that anybody who is
familiar with the history of the Repub-
lican party In congress-" Senator Jones
went on, 'entertains the notion for an
instant that there will be a serious at
tempt to reform the tariff. Some Repub-
licans may entertain the -uea that it
would be wise for the party to heed the
warnings that are being sounded daily
by the business men of the country but
they will be powerleSS to force the COM
mittees to act. The reciprocity treaties
will remain as they are at present, un-
acted upon, when the Fifty-seventh con-
gress adjournS sine die. So long as Sena-
tor Aldrich is opposed to reciprocity there
will be no reciprocity legislation. There
are undoubtedly enough votes on the Re
publican side OF the chamber to ratify the
French treaty any time it is given a fair
show, but Aldrich viii never permit it to
come up."
''Will the Democrats support the Bah
cock bill?" Senator Jones was asked.
Certainly. Tney will support that or
any other bill that is designed to regulate
trusts or reduce or repeal existing tariff
charges. They will not have a chance to
vote for the Babcock bill, however. That
measure will never emerge from the COM
mittee on ways and means"
''Wil the Democrats aave any settled
policy in congress?"
''They will endeavor to secure the pas
sage of the Nicaraguan canal bill, but
with what success l can only conjecture
L fear that the house will not pass that
bill again next winter. The influences
that have defeated it SO frequently are
more powerful than ever since the COM
munfty Of interest idea has been worked
out by New York mtllionaIres and the
canal bill is hardly likely to get to a
vote again"
What position will the Democrats take
on the question Of a government for the
Philippines"
81 can only speak for myself. I am in
favor of giving them independence, Of
setting them up firmly and permanently,
and then saying to the rest of the world
Keep hands Off If that is not done,
then I am in favor of extending to them
the largest amount of liberty possible
under the circumstances. l canot believe
that the supreme courts decision In the
Porto Rican case is the final utterance of
that body on the great questions 1t has
had under consideration. I cannot be-
lieve that the supreme court believes we
can have vassals or subjects. Sooner or
later the supreme court Will sound true
note which will bring the imperialists to
a full stop
Senator Jones' speaking of the recent
discussion Of the probability of Mr..
Bryan again becoming a candidate for
president, said: II am certain that Mr..
Bryan will not again run for president
certainly not for great many years. I
know he feels that way about the mat
for