The evening times., 1899-07-06
The Porto Ricnn Outrage.

The Porto Rican Outrage
IT is not difficult TO see that Administra-
tion hopes and plans for the coming Pres
idential election are already beginning TO
color present policies and action. One of
the evidences OF this is to be discerned in
the course now being pursued by Mr.. Nc
Kinley with regard TO the Island of Porto
Rico.
II will be remembered that just before
the War Department ordered il 10 dissolve
and go home, the Insular Commission had
reached the conclusion that Porto Rico is
an integral part of the United States. NOR
ally entitled to the same treatment ac-
corded TO any other portion of the Union
And the Commission expressed its belief
that the President should exercise his au-
thority as Commander in Chief and sum-
marily relieve the Porto Ricans from their
present oppression by the iniquitous Ding
ley tariff
The Commission did not dissolve. and
has been rehabilitated. apparently for the
purpose Of juggling with the situation in
Porto Rico in a way not al all suggested
by its opinions of equity and justice as
recently expressed. The Commission Is
now preparing a code OF laws for the ISL
and. and these laws, il appears are de-
signed TO obviate the necessity for early
Congressional action in relation to our
new Antillean possession.
According to a local Administration or
gan, members of the Insular Commission
declare that, as soon as Congress begins
to legislate for any of our insular terri
tory il must do SO as for a part of the
United States. Such an admission, ipso
facto, would wipe out all trade restric-
tions, and the prohibtive tariff would i'm
mediately cease to operate. 1T is known"
observes the organ, that this is one of
the conditions that the Administration
wishes to avoid II is easy to understand
why the syndicate in power al the White
House is determined TO turn deaf ear
TO the cry of Porto Rico and to heartiessly
perpetuate a system of oppression which
is rapidly bringing every material interest
in the island to ruin.
When the property holders have been
reduced to beggary their rich estates will
be purchasable for a song, and a rich
and patient combination is waiting TO fur
nish the music. Again, franchises which
ii is thought will not appear valuable
enough under existing conditions to excite
much public indignation in the United
States can be peddled out to Mr. Algers
friends and former" business associates.
and their splendor Will only dawn upon the
people when, in the fulness of time, the
new control shall get ready TO dictate the
remedial legislation II may desire. As
third reason for postponing relief to the
island, there are interests which demand
the maintenance of the prohibitive tariff
against il, as the price of Republican cam
paign contributions next year.
Were Mr.. Mckinley to leave the situa-
tion exactly as it stands today, that is, in
the status of a merely military occupation,
Congress would be compelled to take som
kind of action, and the first movement of
that sort as the Insular Commissioners or
some OF them, say, would put an end to
the Dingley outrage. On the other hand,
the Presidents political and promoting ad-
visers argue that If he can furnish Porto
Rico with some kind of Code Mckinley,
involving all the advantages and blessings
or government by Administrative ORDER"
and retaining Dingleyism, he can easily
use the power of the Administration over
Congress TO prevent it from interference
for an indefinite time. II can be urged
that the island should be left alone until
The merits or shortcomings of the execu-
tive laws and regulations have hal time to
develop. 1t is probable that Congress
will do what il is ordered to.
We do not doubt that the game will
work to the satisfaction of its construc-
tors; but that consideration does not in the
least alter or qualify the fact that II is
a wicked, corrupt and infamous one.