The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-02-04
THECUBAN PROBLEM!
The House and Senate Will
Probably Disagree.
An Interesting Constitutional
Question Arises.

The President and q majority of the
Senate, and we may say. great major
ity OF the people, desire to do kind
ness 10 the struggling people of Cuba
The people of that island are striving
10 place the business of their country
ON a paying basis They have soil
that will produce richly, but in order
TO sell, they must have q market for
their productions Their best market
is the United States. But our tarin on
sugar is barrier, and they ask our
Government 10 admit sugar from that
island at q lower rate than IL can be |
under the present tariff, and therefore
ask that Congress pass u bill TO reduce
the tariff on sugar coming from CUBA.
Our, Government did much more
than that in the name of liberty and
humanity for the people of Cuba, In
declaring war against Spain and secur-
ing the liberty of the Cubans. 1t Is not
too much TO expect, therefore, that we
| will help them to get on their feet and
restore prosperity to the island. Hav-
ing sacrificed life and treasure TO Sc
cure them from the cruelty OF Spanish
Oppression, it Is not too much to ex-
tpect that we will assist them. Ii
the Samaritan had simply driven the
lrobbers off, and had left the victim
wounded and bleeding, to get we'll the
best he could, we would never have
heard of the Good Samaritan. And II
the United States does not do some
thing to help the Cubans out OF the
condition in which they were left by
the war, we will not only lose the
esteem of the Cubans, but the nations
Iof the world will jeer at our Professed
Ihumanitarianism, which we avowed at
Iour reason for declaring war against
lSpain.
The reduction of the duty asked on
sugar is not great, but it would be q
!. lgreat boon TO Cuba.
Il But here comes In q disturbing ele'
jment. The sugar beet raising element
in this country Is arrayed against the
proposed reduction Of the duty OF
sugar, and the sugar trust is back o
it all. They say that it will injure thu
beet raising industry In this country
and that it would not be just nor wis'
TO take the bread from the children
and throw 1t to the dogs. Ii thi
largument is good, 1t would be an argu
:. ment against making Cuba part o
lour country Yet il Cuba were to asl
TO be made q part of our country, sh'
would be admitted without opposition
II the beet sugar argument is goo
lone, it would be an argument agsins
taking any other sugar country unde
: -FOUR wing; and it was an argumen
against admitting Hawaii. But 1t wa
not recognized as convincing argu
Iment against the admission of Hawaii
land it would not be received a. sun
cient argument against the admissio
of Cuba or Jamaica. The truth Is, th
PRODUCTION ssked Is not sufficient TO II
70 jure the sugar beet growers, and II
|, we're, il might be made up 70 them b
bounty.
81 The Committee of Ways aud Near
- of the House ia opposed TO Q reductio
ot of the duty for the sake Of Cuba, an
ct were ready TO so report, but found pul
70 lie sentiment so strong against the
ma that they have deferred their report.
rn On the other hand, the Senate
no said to be favorable to the Cuban
ar and will pass . bill 10 reduce the dut
and If the House refuses TO pass Il
al bin, the President and Senate wi
ce make a reciprocity treaty giving Cut
tie Especial rates on sugar
ed Those opposed TO the reduction
nd the House. say the Senate cannot abr
On gate any provision of q revenue law, |
Iti q treaty. This raises an interestlr
u lconstit ntional question, which 1t wi
:" take more than . glance to settle.
Act g. of the Constitution, says: ''Th
Constitution and the Laws OF II
United States, which shall be made
pursuance thereof; and all treati'
to mad or which shall be made, und'
Az the authority of the United State
Il. shall be the supreme law OF the land
II a law is contrary to the Constit
=. ton, the Constitution stands, the Ia
tie falls, and Is nall. The mention OF q
est Constitution first would indicate that
ra stands first and above sill laws aI
~ treaties. The Constitution is the fu
O Idamental law, on which laws aI
treaties are founded. The Constitute
TT. is not founded upon laws or treatie
n Therefore, as no law can be enact.
rs that will be an ipfraction of the Co
dy stitution, neither can any treaty
ger made by the treaty making powe
7 that is contrary to the Constttutio
,od The peoples rights are secured by Il
lor Constitution. II this could be contr
ers vened by laws or treaties, the people
,,o liberties would have no security.
Treaties are made by two parties
m two Governments. Therefore foreil
lat powers have the same voice in framil
ty. treaties (which are the supreme law
ed our land, that we have. To pla
he such . law above the Constitute
mis- would give other nations greater pow
'ry in our government than our peop
its have-for they cannot pass laws co
ed travening the Constitution.