Evening star., 1901-11-19
PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION
SENATOR TuRNERaPREDICTs TRoU-
BILE FOR THE, REPUBLICANS.
Discusses Attitude nof the Supreme
s9d
COurt-Fayors independence
of the Islanders.

Senator Turner of Washington, who Is IN
the city, was asked by a Star reporter to-
day concerning thefissues that would prob
ably occupy the attention of Congress dur
ing the coming winter.
Il have noticed, he said, when asked
about the attitude of Congress on the Phil
ippines. that the newspapers assume that
the Supreme Court decisions in the insular
cases have settled everything, whereas, as
matter of fact, they have unsettled every
thing. l have no doubt the executive de-
partment is very much embarrassed in its
dealings with the Philippines by reason of
those decisions.
Supreme Court Position Discussed.
THE court" continued Mr.. Turner, gave
the law to the democratic party and the
decision to the republican party. The views
of the court sustain the position the demo-
Gratis have taken in both houses of Con-
gress on that subject. When the republic
cans come to legislate they will come
against the views of a majority OF the SUI
preme Court. Remember, that four MEM
bers of the court held that our possessions
became part of the United States imme-
diately after the ratification of the treaty,
and enjoy our constitutional provisions.
Four members of the court held that some
legislative act is necessary before they are
Incorporated as part of the United states
ninth member held that none of our terri
tories are covered by the Constitution.
Whenever case comes before the court In
which it shall be held that the territories
have distinctly been made part of the
domain of the United States then there
will be eight out of nine members of the
court favoring the view that they are en-
titled to every provision of the Constitu-
ton. The only way the republican party
can avoid bringing the Philippines into the
Union, emitting their inhabitants and their
products to admission to our country, is to
keep up state of war there, because the
moment the war ceases and the Philip
pines are given civil government, accord
ing to the theories of eight justices of the
Supreme Court they are a part of our do
main and protected by our Constitution.
Thinks the Question is Left Open.
Il think the decision Of the Supreme
Court still leaves the question of our new
acquisitions an open one liable to give rise
to great deal of dispute. I assume that
whenever a civil government is provided
for the Philippines that will constitute suffi-
cient recognition to bring the territory
within the United States, although the
court in it's decision did not explicitly de-
termine that matter"
Asked in regard to his views as to the
solution of the Philippine question, Mr..
Turner said he thought they ought to be
given Independence.
They fought the spaniards for. 300
years, lc duueu, dHu tue country anu
people are such that they can fight any
power that attempts to control the islands.
We do not want them. we do not need them,
and we will be a great deal better off with
out them. u.
Does Not Expect Tariff Revision.
Il have no idea that we will have re-
vision of the tariff said Mr.. Turner, "or
any very considerable alterations of it's
provisions by reciprocity agreements al
though in my judgment revision is very
much needed. In many cases we have cod
died the infant until it has become very
much overgrown adult and we keep cod
ding him all the same. He ought to be re-
quired to stand alone. 90
Il assume we will have a river and har-
Dor bill passed, substantially on the lines
of the river and harbor bill of the last
Congress. In my judgment that was the
most meritorious measure in Congress dur
ing the last four years.,'