visions, may be set aside on the plea of public policy. With a sufficient army to back him, the President could say with equal justice: Public policy demands that I establish a monarchy; and, like Napoleon, I hereby crown myself William I.' Should he do so, you, and all like you, would call all men traitors who did not willingly bend the knee to the new policy, 'so obviously correct' on account of 'changed conditions' and the fulfillment of our manifest destiny.' Of course the Constitution would be against it, but the Constitution is not a 'fetich to be worn round our necks.' Certainly it would be a violation of the Declaration of Independence, but Senator Platt, of Connecticut, has solemnly told us that the declaration that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed,' means, from the consent of some of the governed. And General Merritt says, 'we have outgrown the Constitution.' It is certain, at least, that we have not outgrown the legal way to amend the Constitution. 'Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,' and never more need for it than now. But I am again

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reminded by the chair that we are getting away from the question."

Captain Bevans-"Well, if we are to have no discriminative duty in our favor, we cannot sell breadstuffs in competition with India or Siberia, but beyond doubt the natives would buy our lumber for the purpose of building better houses. Nipa huts are not seemly looking structures in which to find pianos, but I understand that our people do find them in such huts all over the island." "You are wrong there, captain," remarked the secretary. "A San Francisco lumber firm asked me to look up the subject for them and see if some soft woods could not be sold in the Philippines. Old residents say the ants eat the hardwoods frequently and that they would go three hundred miles to get a chance at a soft wood house. Besides, in that land of earthquakes and typhoons, houses made of nipa grass are more durable; and the inhabitants are not in danger from falling joists and flying beams, as they would be in a house made of timbers and boards should an earthquake or typhoon catch them. You cannot even sell window glass to the Euro

peans, because it would be jarred out by the earthquakes. The oyster shells are more durable and are quite pretty, polished as only Filipinos know how to polish them, and will always take the place of window glass in the Philippines."

Chairman-"I guess we can't furnish lumber for the Philippines. But there are mil

lions of dollars worth of hardwood which we might get if the islands were subjugated."

Private Smith-"Hardwood in the Philippines would create no market for any American product. If the chairman means that some American syndicate might make money by shipping hardwood, he is probably correct, though it has been on the market for years, just as Philippine twine and rope, and Philippine sugar and tobacco have been seeking purchasers."

"Quite true," said Colonel Handy, "and if we want any Philippine product sold in the United States all we have to do is to remove the tariff on such imports. Take the duty from tobacco and you will drive every American cigar manufacturer out of the business and deprive every cigarmaker

3

The American tobacco manufacturer would either go out of business or remove his plant to the Philippines, where he could employ Chinese and Filipino labor for $4.00 a month.

of work. True, the manufacturer might go to the Philippines and set up business, but it would be with Filipino labor, to manufacture the product of Filipino farms, while the American tobacco grower and the American cigarmaker would have to find other employment. Taking bread from hungry children and throwing it to the dogs has never been American policy."

Private Smith-"And if American capital could make millions in those fields, it is hardly good business policy for the United States to spend billions of money to enable the mil lionaire to accumulate more millions. I believe Captain Bevans admitted that much at the outset."

Chairman-"I admit the unsoundness of the contention that we might be benefited generally by Filipino products. As Colonel Handy has said, if we need hemp or sugar, tobacco or hardwoods sold more cheaply in the United States, the most practical way is to remove the duties on such imports. We will now get back to the American market again with Captain Bevans in possession of the floor."

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