The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-01-26

the planter and the PEASANT not only
paid the taxes upon their lands. but gave
part OF its income 90 an extravagant
md corrupt government. Tho tax upon
land was a most uncertain thing. There
was no law or rule OF conformity only
| the caprice or prejudice Of the aurbori-
| lies determined the amount Of 81. Com
! plalnt has be,m frequently made % Gcn-
crai Henry by planters that their po-
| litical enemies threatened 10 raise their
taxes and satisfy old grudges for new
demands TO rectify llds coalition Of
affairs he has arranged scheme OF
regular and uniform taxation. II 10 es-
timatod that there are approximately
ff,y million acres Of taxable land In
Porto Rico. II is the intention OF the
general 10 divide and tax the land In the
following way:
Cane lands pay one peso per acre per
annum: coffee land 75 ce1tavos; fruit
ls1d. % centayos: pasture. from 20 to Tj
ooncayos; and al other lands q centavOs.
II Is probable that General Henry viii
ind Il necessary 20 continue the terri
t0rial tax" 10 the extent OF FIVE per cent
upon tho products Of the coLatTy. on
erous though IL be. in order 20 raise suf-
ficlegli revenues for the government. This
would produce tJ00.O10 per annum. and
with the land tax and the merchants
tax should answer all eemands.
Under ths law no one can import with
out tho paymetft OF taxes averaging
200 pesos. The result Is 10 restrict the
importations Of the island TO wealthy
and favored few who are able 70 con-
troll the commerce. Every citizen and
every small shOpkeeper who desires to
import something from abroad must pay
fee for bringing the shlpmnt through the
custom hoIse and that carries with II
To the registered importing merchant
commission In most cases for the ad-
vance OK duties and other expenses or
services In distributing the goods in the
islands.
According 10 the budget for the com
ing year just approved by the general.
II appears that the estimated revenue will
exceed the expenses OF government by
s., c22 go pesos even after allowing for the
loss Of 500 pesos Of income occasioned
by reducing the duty on wheat -four. II
seems therefore that II the custom house
revenues must % appropriated entirely
TO the expenses OF government a great
reduction might be made in taxes that
now efnbarryss commerce and oppress
the people. Besides, this revenue would
permit Of many Improvements throughout
the island. such as better police sani-
! tatlon and roads. The tax has been re-
Z moved from meat and bread and put upon
7 liquors and tobacco. This has been done
/ by the practical governor general ''to
encourage competition among dealers and
place said necessariss within reach OF
tho poorer classes"
| The dealers and drinkers Of the liquors
say thar the general is a prohibitionist.
The following schedule Of taxation IS
provided: For every liquor or tobacco
store or stand per annum. in towns OF
/ from 5000 to 10000 inhabitants, $50; i0.00l
| TO i500 inhabitants. So: l5.0p0 TO 2O,00l
/ inhabitants, so; above 20eoO inhabitants.
80
The position OF General Henry Is not
an easy one. He is daily called upon
TO remedy private wrongs and to reduce
| public burdens. To do this he must ex-
ercise sound Judgment and great tact for
/ Il is not an easy matter to abruptly
! change the whole system OF government
here that has become fastened to the
island as barracles to a ship. The DIFF
ficulty is Increased by the want Of a
thorough knowledge OF the people and
4 their various relations.