The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-01-23
HARD ON MCKINLEY.
Ee Is Accused of Trying to BIibe Two
Judges,

It is unfortunate for President Nc
Kinley that he should feel called upon
to take such tender interest in the
soos Of two supreme court Justices just
at the time when the administration is
a defendant in a most important case,
involving the cons;tutionality of the
Porto Rlcan legislation and the policy
of imperialism. Ooe oiitce justices who,
although strong Republican, is suspect
ed Of an inclinauon to decide against
the administration's contentions, is
Justice Harlan. Mr.. Mckinley has
gone ous Of his 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.
field Republican ssys that leading
Chicago lawyer writes:
"rne appointment just st this time
of James s. H,r!aD, Of this city to be
attorney general Of POroto Rico, IS a
sca3dious performance. 1t illustrates
well Mr.. Mckinley's methods. Mr.
Harlan is an attorney Of few years
experience and good personal stsndlug.
1t does him no IL lstice to say that
there are fifty men st this bar Of his
age and ex perience who are equally we'll
qualified for the position ano there are
nuncreds of such men throughout the
country. There csn be no possible ex
planation of his appointment, 'uare-
q4ested, just now, except that the vote
Of his father, as justice Of the supreme
court, is desired By the acmlnlstra
tlon in the pending cases affecting It's
colonial policy
Another lstice Of the supreme court,
whose Inclination to side With the al
ministrauon in regard the new possess.
lons is less doubtful, is MIR Mchenns,
of Californis. The NeR York Times
says that Senator Pctug'ew had obi CT
ed to the Confirmation OF young HarlaD
on the score OF propriety, and, further
more:
AT the same time it is asserted that
be will also ask the senate to consider
the proprlety Of the selection Of son
of Associate Justice McKenns, to De
made captain and inspector general
in Porto Rio. he had been first heu-
tenant, having been graduated from the
military academy. Just before his pro-
motion Lieutenant Colonel 4 B. Rarri-
son was discharged from the post Of
inspector general of PorloR . because
there was 10 longer any need Tor his
services. Yet, Immediately after his
dismissal by telegraph from post that
aru.y officers unite IN saying he had
filed aomlraoIy, two officers were as
signed to the same service, Cap ain Nc
Kenra being one Of them. Those who
comment upon the changes do net Ques
ton the competency Of the war depart
nent 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 inportau
TO put son Of q justice Of the supreme
court in mpetent officer place.
OF course, il justice Harlao is d,spos-
ed TO decide against Mr. Mckinley on
constitutional grounds bu. takes refuge
10 the fact oftne appointment of his SOL
to take part in the decision the ad mini
stratioa will succeed in resducing by one
the number OF justices who will stsnc
for the republic against the empire.
We regard the manner IN which the
president is plainly attempting to IL
8lence the supreme court IN this case
as probably the most scandlous anc
shocking incident in our political his
tory. We believe ,ha, abs olutely DO suct
incident has ever come 10 the pubic
knowledge in the vhsle history of the
supreme court-Hartford Daily Times