Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-03-01
BY WHAT AUTHORITY.

that the Cuban constitution may be
ratified" or rejected"
By what authority does the Ameri-
can congress presume to pass upon the
Cuban constitution? Unless the United
States has sovereignty, jurisdiction or
control over the island of Cuba, I'd
such authority exists. And it Will De
remembered that the war resolutions
distinctly stated that the United States
would not exercise sovereignty, Jurls-
diction or control over said is1ard ex-
cept for the pacification thereof"
With the adoption of these resolu-
lions congress delivered the Cuban
question over 10 the executive who is
charged with the disposition of that
question according TO the terms OF the
war resolutions.
Since the Spaniards were driven out,
all authority in the island of Cuba has
been exercised by the president, or by
men deputized by him. The people OF
that island were able to choose mem
berS of constitutional convention at
an orderly election if that constitu-
tional convention adopts constitu-
ton nodded on the lines of republican
form of government, and an improve
ment in some respects over our own
constitution, it certainly must be adj
mitted that "pacifcation" has taken
place.
The Cuban people alone have the
authority to adopt or modify their
constitution. When a government in
compliance with that constitution IS
organized it will be the duty of the
president to withdraw the military
forces of the United States from that
island, and leave its people TO work
out their own destiny, overcoming OBJ
stacles in their own way exactly as
other peoples have been required to
| do.
The withdrawal of the United States
from Cuba and delivery Of power there
to the constituted authorities of that
! island. is purely an executive act. The
, question of pacification involves very
! simple fact. The executive knows, as
the world knows, that Cuba has beer
pacified. But if congress should as
sumo the authority to approve. reject
or modify the Cuban constitution, the
/ United States would be assuming SOW
| ereignty, jurisdiction and control over
the island of Cuba, things which the
| United States expressly disclaiIhed.
| 1t is contended by some friends of
| the administration that it is essential
that the United States shall be given
suzerain powers in that constitution
that the Cuban people shall obligate
| themselves not to enter into treaties
with foreign countries without the
United States consent.
It is further claimed that II is neceS
sary. that the constitution shall de-
clare that there shall be no interior
snce with vested rights" in the island
OF Cuba.
| In the first place the claim to suZer
ain rights is distinct violation of our
disclaimer that the United States
would not seek to exercise sovereignty,
Jurisdiction or control over said island.
except for the pacification thereof. 1t
Is a distinct violation OF our pledge
| that after paciication is accomplished
| II is our intention to leave the govern
ment Of that island to the Cuban peo-
pie.
In the next place there are no such
things morally or legally as vested
rights" in the island of Cuba accruing
during our military occupation of that
island.
i 1t is true that since our military
forces took possession there, syndi-
Gates having the favor of the admins
tration have rushed in and have OBJ
tanned valuable franchises but those
| franchises are the property of the peO-
pie of Cuba. Our military forces were
there for the purpose OF aiding in paci
Hcation. and were not given authority
to vest any rights in administration
| favored SyndicateS.
The anxiety of these syndicates to
maintain possession of valuable fran
chises is perhaps the explanation of
the disposition manifested by the ad
minstration politicians TO violate the
solemn pledge of this nation with re-
Bpect to the island Of Cuba.
| 1t may be that congress will insist
upon passing upon the Cuban consti-
tuition, but this will be mere assump
ton 1t may be that congress will
seek TO modify that constitution ac
cording to the whims of administra-
ton politicians and for the benefit Of
administration syndicates, but con
gress will be treading on dangerous
ground In law and in morals it VII
be acting without authority. In fact.
1t will be trif1ing with people whose
| history repudiates the presumption
that they will submit to imposition at
| the hands of American syndicates and
| American politicians any more will
lngly than they would submit to M
| position at the hands of Spanish tyr
ants.
The president has been very quick to
encroach upon congressional preroga-
tive in the selection of q Philippine
commission empowered by him with
authority to make laws and to collect
and disburse revenues in the Philip
nine islands He now seems 20 be
equally ready to surrender a plain and
exclusive executive prerOgatiye in car
rying out the war resolutions with re-
spect to Cuba.
The Morgan Rockefeller Hartman
railroad synaicate is prepared to show
the evils that would follow the control
of all the railroads by the government.
The first evil they would point out is
that of having such an immense power
given into the hands of few.
A large number of gentlemen who
appeared at banquets on February IL
and talked about the patriotism and
wisdom of Abraham Lincoln claim %
be thorough patriots and altogether
wise for promoting the very principles
that Abraham Lincoln denounced.
Congress is considering the matter
of organizing 4 National Standardiz-
Ing Bureau" If organized properly it
will probably be run with Standard oil.
IL the ship subsidy bill does not pass
II may be necessary to have a special