Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1899-01-12
CHANGE IN PORTO RICO.
Tazss aud General Expenses Very Ma
tsrialiy Rsducsd

ertaiiy tsducsa.
San Juan, Jan. 1.-THE first great
blessing that has come 10 Porto Rico
since the American occupation has been
the reduction OF taxes and government
expenses
The budget for the year 1899 has just
been approved by General Henry. This
covers the expenses OF what is called the
'Insular government"
The following sums which would have
been included in the budget Of the Span.
ish government FOR this year have been
stricken out:
General obligations, Sios, 5OO clergy,
sis79I5; war. Sl,252,377; marine,
S202, G6s.
The total OF the obligations that ceased
to exist and which are deducted from
the amount Of the budget is s2,l7l ,492.
The difference that had been expended
without the realized economies herewith
detained equals s2.GI0,4g
The calculated budget for 1899 is
formed OF the following items; General
obligations $40, $50, state obligations
ESQ.,, 9a5, justice department s20i, l5g,
finance department si60,B!O, interior de-
partment $780,
The customs for the coming year were
estimated to be e., 1872, 900. This sum is
20 30 reduced by the amount usually
raised by the duty on wheat -four and
which has been taken of by General
Henry equal to s5OO,OoO. This leaves a
net revenue from the custom houses Of
s2,632, 900. There will remain, there.
fore, an excess OF q, 40. G23.
Il should be- understood that the above
figures for the estimated budget for the
year embrace only the necessary eK.
penses for the payment Of salaries aud
other fixed charges
II this amount cannot be paid from
the proceeds Of the customs then IL must
DO raised by other methods Of taxation
General Henry has asked Of Washing.
ton the right 10 apply the customs n.
ceipts to the expenses Of the govern.
ment. II this should be permitted all
government expenses could b. paid ana
many improvements carried on.
AZ the present time thero are many
taxes collected that are a great hin.
dunce 20 commerce and u the customs
receipts could be used those might be
done away with.
Merchants doing business in Porto
Rico, pay almost a prohibi,iye tax.
No one can engage IN tho banking or
importing business without paying 60
the government tax Of about 1900
pesos per annum. Then there are con.
sumption taxes imposed upon every ar.
ticle imported for consumption. Those
should all b. done away with, ~ they
hinder trade and prevent the trade Of
I America entering here.
Many Americans have come here Tor
/ the purpose OF establishing trade with
Porto Rico, and representatives OF cap
ital have visited The island for the pur.
| pose o. securing franchises Tor the build.
ing OF public Improvements. They have
received a check by the recent order OF
the war department which prohibits
any town IN Porto Rico from granting a
franchise for public improvements with.
out first referring the applicant 20 the
military government These latter
must refer the application 20 the score.
tary Of war before the same may b.
granted.
The fleet Of this order is 10 tio the
hands OF the military governor, ana 90
practically put a stop 20 any improve.
ments upon the part OF the municipal.
tiles
This ruling OF the war department.
with the delay In reducing the tariff
upon articles between the United States
and Porto Rico will delay the develop
mont Of the country,
There are very good opportunities here
for the investment Of capital but 20 long
a. these matters are uncertain capital
will not b. invested In the trade or de.
yolopment Of the country. When this
order came General Henry regar led IL
as an advantage 20 the holders OF Span.
ish franchises and therefore promptly
made an order royoking all Of the latter
His idea was 20 place all upon oquali.
~ He had hardly signed the order,
however, before the legal questions In.
volyed presented themselves and he de.
cided 20 rescind his order a serious
| question was raised and one that might
have been decided against the general
In favor OF the holders Of the old Span.
| iah concessions.
May Rest 1T Gottysburg.
HurrigIuurp Ian IL -tovnruor Hat.