The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-30
THE PORTO RICAN DECISIONS.

They settle all the main points and leave
the President and Congress practically un-
trammeled by the Constitution and as free
as is the British empire to pursue a poi
icy of expansion and to govern colonies
upon whatever lines circumstances may
seem to make expedient.-New York World
CDem.)
The effect of the decisions. while affirm
ing the Foraker act. is to make the Philip
give free trade with them until Congress
exercises the powers the court says ii pos
sesses to impose customs duties on importa-
tions from the islands.-Chicago Record
Herald (Rep)
This is a great legal victory for the Presi-
dent and his advisers. 1t is a defeat for
the persons who have been making long
arguments TO prove thar the ratification of
the treaty of peace made Porto Rico and
the Philippines a part of the United States
and that the Foraker law was unconstitu-
tional.-Chicago Tribune (Rep)
The power Of Congress will be conceded
by many Americans who do not approve
OF the specific acts of Congress in the ex-
ercise of that authority. The apparent in
timation that this power may be exercised
without constitutional restraint is the fea-
ture which constitutes the new and dan
gerous doctrine in the premises.-Chicag
Chronicle (Dem.)
If Americans pretend to believe in equal
rights and TO oppose special privileges for
class or section, they must AT least make
and enforce a rule compelling equality in
all unorganized territory. Alaska and the
Philippines should be on the same footing.
Not only is this rule a necessity of logic,
but it is a necessity of practical prudence.
st. Louis Republic Dem.)
In the most regnan decision rendered
by the Supreme Court since the period of
the civil war that tribunal has now refused
IN grant an injunction against American
progress during the twentieth century along
the lines indicated BY the events of 1897
and pursued up 10 this time by the Amer
3can Congress and the American executive.
New York Sun (Rep.)
The great victory has been won for this
Nation which insures IL power TO exercise
it's sovereign authority as necessity may
REQUIRE. without mourning the obligation TO
bring all sorts and conditions of men into
the close circle of our Union as present
necessary henehciaries OF our tarif laws
and subsequent participants in our govern
ment.-New York Tribune (Rep.)
1t is plain also that it is not within. the
contemplation of the court that Congress
shall forever keep these island territories
i'm their present condition OF appurtenance,
hut that II may sometime organize them as
Territories, and perhaps admit them as
States. But IL has already been determined
that those steps are altogether within the
discretion OF Congress.-New York Times
(Dem)
There can now be no dispute as to the
power OF the government 70 give 10 each
the institutions best suited TO the charac-
ter of the people. their circumstances and
their needs. The Constitution is no bed Of
Procrustes upon which every people who
come under our flag must be stretched
without mercy. IL Is an aegis under which
they can find shelter and safety.-Pittsburg
Commercial Gazette (Rep)
The decision. no doubt. rescues the ad-
ministration and Congress from an awk-
ward position. and In that respect is well
coined by them. Nevertheless, IL is a dis
tirct innovation In our judicial decisiona.