The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-09-19
UNIQUE PROPOSAL TO TAX

The n. Y. Tribune, the Chief Apostle
of the protective tariff, makes a novel
suggestion regarding the collection Of
revenue from sugar raised in Hawaii
in Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philip
pines.
1t re-states that which is now well
know, that there is a decrease in reve-
nue. from general customs and an enor-
nous and steady income from the
sugar duties. 1t believes that this in
come from sugars should be carefully
preserved, and so it suggests TO Con
gress a way by which it can be done.
1t suggests that all sugars and tobacco
as well produced in the annexed trOpi-
cal territories be taxed with the pres
ent tariff rates. it admits that Con-
gress cannot tax the products that pass
from one State to another, because
that is forbidden by the Constitution.
But the Tribune holds that the terri
tories annexed or acquired stand in a
different relation to the Federal Gov
eminent than the States 1t says that
Congress. under the Constitution, can
make rules and regulations regarding
the territory and all other property be-
longing to the United States" There
fore, it says, tax the sugars produced
by them, and protect the States. In
this way the Hawaiian sugars may be
taxed, it claims.
The American Agriculturist also
takes alarm at the competition of the
sugar products on American territory
in the tropics, with the beet sugars
that may be produced in the States.
1t asks Congress to do something for
the poor farmer.
SO the Tribune comes forward and
makes this extraordinary proposition
as an ally of the Agriculturist that
sugar produced in the territories be
taxed. 1t says:
There is nothing to hinder the col
lection of such duties as Congress may
think fit upon importations of certain
products from such property into the
States, until the time comes for or
ganization of a political body as part
of the United States, with a view of it's
future admission to Statehood. That !
time, it will be recognized, is some |
what remote
This view of the relation of the Fede- !
Tsl Government to the territories, has
been taken by some who misunder-
stand the decision of one of the inferior
Federal Courts But if the proposition
:, ;,f
bic situation. If Congress may lay a
special duty on the products of a terri !
tory, because the territory is excluded |
from the operation of constitutional
provisions, it may then exempt any |
territory from the payment of duty on
foreign importatiOns. 1t could estab- |
lish free trade in the territories, and |
retain protection in the States. This |
is manifestly absurd, if the current |
opinions of the Supreme Court are not |
reversed.
The protective tariff is founded |
largely on policy of isolation. The |
policy of expansion takes larger views. |
The imposition of a special duty or
an excise upon territorial products by !
Congress will require, it is believed, an |
amendment to the Constitution. In all |
ways it is impracticable. Only by !
strictly maintaining the semi-inde- |
pendent condition of Cuba, Porto Rico |
and the Philippines can their products |
be prevented from taking the benefit |
of the tariff laws.
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