Puerto Rico and Government by the People
In connection with the Puerto Rican legislation a considerable number of United States senators have taken a position in which they “resent the country’s interference,” saying that “the people have generous impulses, but are not experts; the masses do not know how to play politics.” What, then, becomes of “government by the people, for the people”? If the voice of the people is to be “resented” as “interference” by senators, then it becomes at once a government by senators. If the voice of the people is to be disregarded because they are not experts, then it becomes at once a government by “experts.” If the people are to be ignored because they do not know how to play politics, then it becomes at once a government by those who do “know how to play politics.” And in any case,218according to the views expressed, the principle is that this government is not a government by the people, but by the superior ones who are “experts,” who “know how to play politics,” and who “resent” as “interference” the voice and will of the country. It is even said, and all this by an administration correspondent, that “the President himself may weary of carrying the load [of disregarding the voice of the people], and throw up his hands in favor of a rule of public opinion.” Why shouldn’t he? And if he should not, then what? It must be remembered that the real issue involved is whether Puerto Rico shall be governed under the Constitution or without the Constitution.