The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-10
Senator Harris Doesn't See How
One Can Be Avoided.
Decision of Supreme Court
Makes 1t Necessary.
SEES NO DIFFERENCE.
Thinks Philippines Are in Same
Position as Porto Rico.
Talks Interestingly About a
Third Term For Mckinley.

Washington, D. c., June 10-The decis-
| ion of the president and the cabinet not
4 to call an extra session of congress to
deal with the Philippine question has
/ been somewhat a surprise to senators
and representatives who believe that
the session was absolutely necessary.
Senator W. A. Harris of Kansas, who
| is still in Washington, was seen by the
| State Journal representative. and he
! said he did not see how an extra session
could be avoided He did not see how
the president could continue the present
situation even under the guise of a mil
! ftary administration.
1T seems to me- said the senator, as
/ he sat in the library of his cool and
| and L streets, that action by congress
is indispensable to a. settlement of the
| questions concerning the Philippines
which have arisen since the decision by
/ the supreme court. If the president
proposes to establish civil government
in the Islands, / certainly do not see now
he can escape being entirely at sea
unless he has congress TO enact some
law. such as was passed for Porto Rico.
The SpOoner law does not give him au-
thority to legislate tariff rates for this
country, and although I see there IS some
talk of imposing an export duty on ar
ticles leaving the Philippines, this would
be, in my opinion, mere juggling. Be
sides, an export duty has always peen
abhorrent to the American mind. We
criticised Brazil very emphatically
when that country placed an export
duty on coffee, and we can hardly I'M
dertake to be guilty Of the action which
we condemned in Brazil.
And then there is another way of
looking at the matter" continued Sen
ator Harris. THE president appealed
to congress to pass the Foraker Porto
Rico law, the Platt Cuban amendment
and the Spooner law in order, as he
said, that congress might share with
him the responsibility of government.
should think that he would have liked
congress to share with him the respon-
sibility of the situation created by tie
supreme court decision. / cannot for
the life of me see any difference be-
tween the Philippine case, which is I'M
decided, and the Porto Rico case, in
which a decision was rendered. And if
they are the same, it is no excuse for
the administration to go on and collect
duties with the statement that these
duties can be refunded"
Senator Harris was in Kansas recent
ly and there noted the great prosperity
of the people. It was expected that the
wheat crop this year would reach the
enormous aggregate of 100000 bush
els, but it now seems as if the figures
would not rise much above the total
of last year, about 100000 bushels.
Reference to prosperity led to some talk
on the political situation and the good
fortune which has marked McKinley's
administration. 1T seems said Sen
ator Harris. "as if Providence ana
Mckinley have been in partnership"
viii the outcome be the nomination
of President Mckinley for a third
term?'
There will undoubtedly be number
of claqueurs and toadies who will soon
be suggesting the third nomination of
President Mckinley, was the reply,
but cannot believe that the presi-
dent will be a party to the movement
The sentiment against third term is
very strong in the country and espec-
tally so in the middle west. can mag
inc, though, that in California, where
the presidents expansion policy has
been OF great benefit in stimulating
trade with the Orient, there would be a
natural feeling of friendliness for him,
which might even go to the extent of
supporting him for third term. While
I do not believe that the president will
seek a third term or that his name will
be seriously suggested, I can readily
understand how circumstances might
arise which would bring his name for
ward in that connection.
In the first place, if the present era
of prosperity continues the business
element, which is entirely without SEN
timent may say that it is worth while
to keep Mr.. Mckinley in the White
House. The president was reelected
mainly because the people did not want
to make a change. The same feeling
might operate in his favor if good times
continue, when the next nominating
cially be the case if the opposition
failed to unite upon some one in whom
the country had implicit confidence.
And I can understand, too added
Mr.. Harris, how the president might
be willing to accept a third nomination
if it came to him with practical una
niuity and a testimonial of his ad-
ministration of national affairs. He
would have every reason to look upon
it as a high honor. Still. looking at the
matter of practical politics. there will
be enough aSpirants for the presidential
nomination to prevent Mr.. Mckinley
from having the field all to himself
and the third-tern advocates if there
be any, could hardly carry their point
Looking forward to the next session
of congress Senator Harris expressed
the hope that some progress would be
made toward securing the election of
senators by the people and toward the
He anticipates a lively fight upon the
tariff question, and says that the action
of Representative BabcOck is sustained
by very large portion of the voters.
Il agree with Mr.. Babcock,'' he said.
that American goods should not be
here vet I know that such is the case.
for when I was in Europe found boots
and shoes, agricultural implements and
other American manufactures sold at a
lower price than in the United States.
THE trouble Is that our manufactures
want to find all their profit in the home
market and then dispose of their sur
plus stock abroad The tariff enables
them to do this and am not surprised
at the public sentiment which is man
ifesting itself expect the whole ques-
ton to be very thoroughly discussed
during the next session of congress"
L. WILLIAM THAVIS.