New-York tribune., 1898-11-16
THE FINANCES OF CUBA.
RoBERT p PORTER REPORTS TO THE
PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY GAGE.
xrv TARIFF FOR TIE ISLAND FRAMED
REVENUES AND EXPENDiTJ REs-THE
CURRENCY QUESTION.

a
REVENUES AND EXPENDiTUREs-THE
CURRENCY QUESTION.
Washington. Nov l5-Robert P. Porter. Special
Commissioner for the United States 10 CUBA ana
porto Rico presented his report to the President
and :hc Secretary OF the Treasury to-day. The
report goes fully into the financial and economical
condition of Cuba analyzing the budgets OF the
island for fourteen years. showing the sources or
income and the causes OF expenditure. There are
many valuable general statements in relation 10
the financial. Industrial commercial and social con-
dirions of the island which form nucleus for
rcport on the possibilities for American enter
Prise and the opportunities for American capital
and labor when the more pressing questions or
ina government and revenue and taxation OF the
island have been settled Mr.. Porter has also sub
ni,tel for the approval Of the Secretary OF the
Treasury a complete revision Of the tariff in the
form 0; a new bill which Will be examined by the
experts Of the Treasury Department. and If ep-
proved will be promulgated by the President, and
take effect az the port Of Ccnfuegos on De-
combor !. In the consideration of the Cuban
question. it became apparent that the most press
ing need OF the island n tariff that would
bear lightest on the people who cou.d least afford
tho burden of taxation. and heaviest commod-
rss which the well-to-do and those engaged in
la-ca enterprises required. Commissioner Porter
The Spanish Is 'ar was made ,f ey sPaniards for
ireory II was ncxpicable. In adopting for an
eN"'ncy measure the rate Of duty which Spain
levied on her own commodities tho United States
acted wisely.
The report also contains analysis and discus
sion OF the Cuban budget. in which the effects Of
The tariff on tho revenue Of the country,
geiher with the other sources OF revenue are ex-
planned and discussed. TO the question Of how.
with such large reduction OF duties. 1T is pos
siele secure revenue for administering the gov
eminent the report says:
The general answer IS that by reason Of fraudu-
lent classification and smuggling most Of the reve-
nue collected from the peop.e of cuba never found
Is way into the treasury OF that island Of Spain
Inc cupdliy and rap1ctN OF the Spanish oihcal
in cuba is beyond conception, and il We may Judge
fcials VIII be able 10 coieci as rnuch revenue on
tariff the duties Of which are more than nall or
nearly two-ihilds less than under the niquitous
law now in force The reduction 10 a reasonable
rate Of duty in certain schedules. such as those
p, S ~ er,r ao ,ben 5urnr the ncriod when The
there are home Industries in Cuba capable Of sup
f11SoTt' care has been exercised either by making
free the raw material or not making too radical
In 50 doing. It is only carrying out the policy which
has been so fruitful N deve9pnS nT empoy
ment for It's labor.
In interesting analysis Of the Cuban budget
showing how much revenue is required and how
much may reasonably be expected from the tar1n
10 he enforced. Mr.. Porter says:
The money collected from Cuba. whether It was
s260Hono or less. has all gone and nothing is likely
10 he found IN the treasury but numerous evidences
o PROMISES 70 pay records or receipts given by the
Government for goods not paid for. debts OF az
kinds including the salaries of a large number Of
tho minor officials The hrst and most important
itern Of expenditures is for sovereignty expenses
T. is Impossible at this moment to make salts
lerv Tc be done until after the tniiei states
forces I'm full possession and able TO secure
ernmcnt Of Cu6a OF course the large itens such
tor flfo Of
osppear MAKING m TedaGSn M M S o y M Me G,gdT now nrS
~ mis- amount will he required for necessary ex-
penses under the new order Of things it Will be i'm
possible 20 forecast
Another importint subject treated in the report is
the currency. Mr. Porter says:
Although cuba is afflicted with many kinds OF De-
rr.cated currency. the established basis is strictly
god and in any commercial engagement the value
contrary Indeed there is some hing almost pa
dercd and depleted Of her resources and wealth
has never wavered from gold basis. The testi-
mony taken and statements made on TINS subject W Wt
have been unanimously in favor Of continuous ,'c
gold basis for The Cuhans have sunerea SO nuch
currency UPON The peoPe pom IN NJ f rbn Tr ot exper
rneHt with the currency
Mr. Porter takes up the question Of education
Tbsre are free public schools in Cuba but the
teachers have the right TO take pay scholars and
those who do not pay get little or no attention
The proportion OF people who are iliterae Is great
statistics snow
laboring class IS able 10 read and write There
can be no stable government in Cuba. MI Porter
says until this has been remedied
In regard 20 Industrial enterprises MY Porter
concludes that little be done until the sanitary
conditions have been improved In a the Industrial
centres Not only the commercial prosperity OF
Cuha buy 10 a considerable extent that OF the
southern portion Of the United States depends on
DESTROYING the germs OF yellow fever which exist In
the larger towns. Mr.. Porter recommends mat a
commission o, experts be appointed, some OF "hom
shall he engineers Of skill and experience 10 MAKE
q sanitary survey OF Havana and Matanzas ana
report as 10 what shall be done 20 stamp out yellow
fever IN those cities
Nj Porter closes his recommendations by g'lhs
an account OF the condition Of labor In the is.ahd
IN which ne says:
There is at this moment steady incTease ~, IN @ w
demand for labor Plantations, and IN SsH HtldEu
Province labor for the mines. While IN uDd S,4
Corrmissiorer received one cable dispatch caIuHs
for eftoen hundred aborers for the mines; VIM
tDree large planters stood ready between them 70
ouplov a thousand men TO work IN the Susii
ael3s 4 better distribution OF labor VIII "'u