The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-01-12

The calculated budget Tor 1900 Is formed
Of the following items; General obliga.
tons 1850; state obligations. t90l,ss5;
justice department. t2Di 452: finance de-
p&@mont $1,000; Interior department,
t7os, $50.
The customs for the coming year were
estimated 10 be f3.1zg0 This sum ~ "a
be reduced by the amount usually raised
by tho duty on wheat -four. and which
has been taken on by General Henry
equal 70 D00.O00. Thls leaves a net rev.
enue IRON the custom house Of f2.G22. 900.
There viii remain. therefore. an excess
Of ti,i7O.Gi3.
II should be understood that the above
figures for the estimated budget for the
year embrace only the necessary expenses
for tho payment OF salaries and other
fixed e$r@hses. n this amount cannot
be- paid from the proceeds Of the customs
then Il must be raised by other methods
Of taxation.
General Henry has asked OF Washing
ton the right 10 apply the customs re-
ceipts 10 the expenses Of the govern
ment II this should be permitted All
government expenses could be paid and
many improvements carried on.
At fhe present time there are a great
many taxes collected that are great
hindrance 10 commerce, and II the Gus
toms receipts could be used these might
be done away with.
Merchants In doing business in Porto
Rico pay almost a prohlbitive tax. No
one man can engage In the banking or
importing business without paying to
the government a tax OF about 400 pesos
per annum.
Then there are consumption taxes i'm
posed upon every article imported for
consumption. These should all be done
away with. as they hinder trade and pre-
vent the trade from America entering
here. Many Americans have come here
for the purpose Of establishing trade
with Porto Rico. and Representatives Of
capital have visited the Island for the
purpose OF securing franchises for the
building OF public improvements. They
have received a check By the recent
order OF the war department which pro-
hlbits any town in Porto Rico from
granting any franchise for public I'm
provemeuts without first referring the
application to the military governor
The latter must refer the application
TO the secretary OF war before the same
may be granted.
The effect OF this order Is 10 lie up the
hands OF tne military governor and to
practically put a stop 20 any improve
ments upon the part Of the municipali-
ties. This runng OF the war department
with the delay In reducing the tarif on
articles between the United States and
Porto Rico viii delay the development in
the country.
There are very good prospects for cap
ital. but as long as these matters are
uncertain capital viii not be invested in
the trade or development Of the country.
When this order came General Henry
regarded IL as an advantage to the hold
ers OF Spanish franchises. and therefore
promptly made an order revoking all OF
the latter. His idea was 10 place all
upon an equality. He had hardly signed
the latter order. however before the le-
gal questions involved presented them
selves and he decided to resclnd the or
der. A serious question was raised. ard
one that might have been decided against
the general In favor Of the holders OF old
Spanish concessions.