The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1901-01-23
HARD ON MCKINLEY.
he Is Accused of Trying to Bribe Two
Judges.

1t is unfortupa ate for President Nc
Kinley that he should feel called upon
TO take such a tender interest in the
SOUS Of two supreme ceurt justices lust
at the time when the ADMINISTRATION is
a defendant In most important case,
Involving the consitutionslity of the
Porto Rlcsn legislation and the policy
Of imperialism. One of the justices who,
although strong Republican, is suspec ct
ed of an inclination to decide against
re- ADMINISTRATOR contentious, is
Justice Harlan. Mr.. Mckinley has
goue out of has way to make son of
this justice, who lives IN Chicago,
United States district attorney In that
city-a highly important place. Con-
cerning the appointment, the Spring
held Republican says that leading
Chicago lawyer writes:
The appointment Just at this time
OF James 5. Harlan, of this city to be
attorney general of Poroto Rico, is a
scaadlous performance. 1t illustrates
well Mr.. Mcklnley's methods. Mr..
Harlan Is an attorney of few years
experience aud good personal standing.
Ii does him no Justice to say that
there are fifty men at this bar of his
age and experience who are equally well
qualified for the position ana there are
nunc reds of such men throughout the
country. There can be no possible ex
plaDatlon of his appointment, "uure-
qaested, just now, except that the vote
vi his father, as justice Of the supreme
court, Is desired by the admin
tlon In the pending cases affecting It's
colonial policy"
Another Istice of the supreme court,
whose inclination to side with the ai-
mlnlstrauon In regard the new possess.
loHs is less doubtful, rs Mr.. Mekenna,
of California. The New York Times
says that Senator Pelugrew had obi CT
ed to the confirmation OF young Harlap
on the score OF prOpriety, aGd, further
more:
AT the same time it is asserted that
he Will also ask the senate to consider
the proprlety Of the selection OF a son
OF Associate Justice McKenna, to be
made captain and inspector general
Ia Porto Rlco. He had been first lieu
tenant, having been graduated from the
military academy. just before his pro-
IL ID
son was discharged from the post of
inspector general of Porto II CO because
there Was no longer any need for his
services. Yet, Immediately after his
dismissal by telegraph from post that
army othcers unite In saying he had
hiied sdmlra )ly, two officers were as
signed to the same service, Cap, ain Nc
Henna being ono of them. Those who
comment upon the changes do not ques
tion the competncy of the war depart
ment to judge OF the necessity or desir.
ability Of making changes, but 1t is
considered unfortunate that in making
the changes i: was consid red inportan.
to put son Of justice cf The supreme
court IN competent officers place.
vi course, If justice Harlan is dispos-
cd 10 decide against Mr.. Mckinley on
constitutional grounds but takes refuge
10 tao fact of tue appointment Of his son
TO take part In the decision the ad mini
stration will succeed in Reducing by one
the number OF justices who will stand
Tor the republic against the empire.
We regard the manner IN which the
president is plainly attempting to in
tuencc the supreme court ir this case
as probably the most scandlous and
shocking incident in our political his
tory. We believe that absolutely 10 such
incident has ever como to the public
knowledge in the whcle history OF the
supreme court-Hartford Daily Times.