The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-23

The opposition to the pending bill to
Puerto Rico, and to the proposal to es-
tabllsh separate tariff laws hereafter for
the Philippine islands, as far as II is
based upon the theory that the proposed
tariffs are against the interests of the
people of the island possessions. has
no legitimate foundation. One impor-
schemes for the new possessions seems
to have been entirely overlooked. The
customs duties levied and collected
within the limits of the United states
and of the present organized territories
are solely for the benefit of the federal
government. and not a cent of the
money raised is devoted to local ex-
penses of the states and territories.
which are compelled to provide for their
own local governments out OF moneys
raised from other forms of taxation.
In the case of the proposed tariff for
Puerto Rico. now before congress. the
money collected is for the benefit OF the
island. and to take the place of direct
taxation, through which alone the ex-
penses OF the local government Is met
in the states of the Union.
The government is not placing an adj
ditional burden upon the new posses
sions for its own benefit. as the oppo-
nents of the proposed tariff sllege. but
is providing simply revenue to meet
the current expenses of the Islands, by
a form of taxation which imposes the
smallest burdens upon the people. and
the collection of which is simple. direct
and easy. In the case of Puerto Rico
there Is the additional incentive. in plac-
ing an import duty upon the products
OF the United States sent 20 the island.
that under the terms OF the treaty OF
Paris spain is entitled to the same
trade rights In Puerto Rico as is this
country, and IL there IL absolute free
trade with the United States there must
be absolute free trade with spain. As
nearly all the imports Of Puerto Rico
are from the United States or spain, II
there were absolute free trade. there
would be no revenues to collect through
the customs service. and the expenses
OF the local government would have 20
be met by a system Of direct taxation
upon the people. or the United States
would have to bear the whole burden
as a charge upon the national treasury
With the Philippines stin broader
question is presented, The extension Of
our customs laws TO the Philippine ISL
ands. and the consequent collection
there OF large amounts OF revenue for
the sole benefit Of the United States.
while leaving the local government 20
meet It's expenses by some other form
OF taxation. would impose intoierahle
burdens upon people who are, accord
ing 70 American standards. desperately
poor Tax burdens which rest lightly
upon the American people would be
crushing and intolerable TO people
NV AAt@NttN ttttlt ana NNFti-
dltures by scale less than a tenth as
great as IS used In this country.
Moreover the United states has COM
mitted itself to the policy OF an open
door in the trade Of Asia. It has asked
and received from the great commercial
powers Of the world assurances that in
the extending OF their domlnions and
spheres OF influence In China no restric-
tons shah be placed upon American
trade. other than those imposed upon
their own subjects. The United States
having demanded that the trade Of con-
tinental Asia be thrown open to all Of
the countries Of the world upon pre-
oisely equal footing. has committed