The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-01
Tbe Armv characterization BiII


While il was generally understood last
night that the Administration would
order the House Of Represents tives to
pass the Army Appropriation bill today
exactly III the form IN which it came
over from the Senate. it was evident that
strong forces were at work 10 prevent
that action The trusts which have been
pow erruI enough 10 force both the ex-
ecutive and legislative branches OF the
Government 10 disregard and even OPEN
y violate the Constitution, and TO Cypress
Porto Rico for their benefit which have
been able TO compel the Administration TO
threaten war against Venezuela liz sup
port of an American monopoly, and
which have found no difficulty in Gicta-
ting the policy and conduct Of the Gov
eminent for four years, are now unable
To See why they should be deprived Of the
rich loot Of the Philippines.
Protests are coming from Manila. ca
Lled by alleged commercial bodies COM
posed OF agents of the trusts, who are on
the spot 20 grab the splendid public do
main OF the Islands, their ma gnificent
forests, mineral deposits aud their pub
lie facilities, for the master ma gnates at
home. The HOar amendment has spread
disIuay through the camp Of the great
est combination Of public robbers III the
history % the world.
As the Army Appropriation bin stands,
il win he Impossible for the -'AdrninIstr4-
ton CLIQUE TO steal everything of value
IN the Philippines before the next session
Of Congress. which they hoped and fully
expected To do under the proposed SpoUn-
ct grant Of autOcratic, irresponsible DOW
er 10 the President 10 sell or give away
everything in the archipelago worth hav-
ing, without accounts biIity 10 anyone.
Now the executive hands viii be tied
IN the matter Of concessions and fran
cllises- None will b. permissible except
in CAGES Of imminent public necessity. and
then VIII only hold good until one year
after the esta Diishnent of a regular con
stituliouaI civil soverneumt.
Perhaps the public docs got set 4gar--
ciate the extent 10 which this IIoar brake
ON the wheels OF the trusts and their Ad-
ministraJion hurts them II is not clone
that they gnash their teeth to think that
millions upon millions in plumber have
been sElatched from their grasp. II is also
that they entertain the wholesome. fear
that the Supreme Court VIII decide that
the Constitution, the creator Of Au..r..ar
sovereignty, reigns supreme wherever
THAT Sovereignty IL erected Such a die
tuin would knock the unconstitutional
tariff against American Territories into q
million bits, and the Sugar Tobacco. and
oAlltA L1ASk>s lS1fIui OF InllIDVtt.t G ulEyt--
titiOn, would be helpless 10 prevent the
growth Of independent enterprise IL their
own industries in the islands It is a
matter Of public notoriety that the Sugar
and Tobacco trusts believe that the only
way in which their monopoly on the
mainland can be protected. under com
ing conditions of domestic free trade with
the new Territories. is 70 secure control
Of all the lands that could DE used TO pro
dIce sugar and tobacco in comp stiti0n
with them. There Is no reason To doubt
that scheme 10 accomplish this. under
the lately proposed imperial pow~r + con
cessiOn. had been carefully worked out
and would have succeeded quickly. bu. for
the boar amendment. II Is passing
strange that statesman as beneF0I-ntly
disposed toward mOnonolics as the aged
Senator from Massachusetts should be
the man 10 give this fatal blow 10 their
most cherished hopes. Probably his pecu-
lar Philippine views and prejudices have
been strong enough 20 overcome his nor
maj loyalty 70 the trust principle: 1t Goes
not-snatter. II is never well TO .ook a