The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-21
The Folly of Ii.

the udtlOnal DIT POSt I~~
of public feeling. The very violence
and unreason OF the opposition is the
best proof that 1t will be short-lived.
Great causes do not reach their crises
in this way: and this is not a great
cause but, as far as the difference be-
tween Republicans is concerned, a very
small and foolish one.
1t is not Of any particular consequence
to US or to the Puerto Ricans or to any
body else whether we levy a small duty
on trade with the island or let it come
in free. That is nothing but n question
of expediency; of how best to raise the
revenue that is required to administer
the domestic affairs of the island. It is
to be determined by circumstances;
whether resort is had to direct x
ton, revenue tariff or some other sys-
tenn. No matter what the decision may
be there is no reason to teal ones hair
about Il.
There is n thing vitality important;
&t &h'tN - AihiN NAhAh ~ ANA-N ~
done shall tie the hands of congress in
its future dealings with our new pos
sessions. or commit the country to the
Democratic theory that all Of these, in
Guiding the Philippines, acquire at once
full rights of citizenship under the %
stitution. That box holds more mis-
fortunes than Pandora's. We must not
be bound to make territories or states
out OF Puerto Rico or the Philippines
unless we see fit to do so. We must not
be prohibited from le~gislating on i'm
migration or any other subject that calls
for it. We must not be forced to give
free trade to the Philippines under the
constraint of legislative precedent, and
so throw away all that we have to ex-
change with other nations for trade
privileges in China. This Is the cen-
trail and a~ll-important feature. The rest
Is so Indifferent that all this pother
about 1t is like the acket of a lot of
children at play.
The unresson and the frantic manner
of speech of the critics of the bill con-
Wet them. The house imposes a light
tax on our exports TO Puerto Rico,
Forthwith there Is clamor about the
keep Puerto Ricans from starving.
Then the senate proposes to remit this
and tax exports only. and the shrek
goes UP that, while we tax everything
these people wish TO sell. we want 70
flood their markets. with our own
wares, Comment such as this destroys
itself; and it Is not possible that It
should move h fseiinss orpswavfs tho
minds of our people for long.
We are compelled to characterize as
mere buster the Republican opposition
to the bill. Here is the Chicago Times
Herald, for Instance, which fairly froths
at the mouth over Il; a y that nothing
will satisfy II for Puerto Rico short ot
what WI have done for every other ter
ritory hat came under our control: glib
bers about keeping Puerto Rico in a
state of mendicancy"; and demands a
straight free trade territorial bill for
Puerto Rico" But 1t does not pretend
to explain the desperate necessity that
calls for such gyrations and such Wild
language.
II matters comparatively little to the
Puerto Ricans In what form they pay
taxes for their own support. except that
than direct by the poorer people. It
matters less than nothing 10 us how
IL Is collected, since the whole proceeds
are paid into the Puerto Rican treasury.
There Is no occasion FOR haste, since
funds for present use have been pro
vided by the repayment Of duties previ-
ously collected. II matters everything
that we do not assent TO a false and Ia
tai construction Of the constitution as
related to orr new possessions.
These are the fundamental facts be-
low all the uproar. Meantime cuba ana
the Philippines are doing beautifully.
although customs duties are collected In
FUN. and WE hear nothing % 'mendi-
cancy'' on the one hand or oppression"
on the other II the Republicans who
are playing the Democratic game by
Joining In the chorus Of foolish and ny
periodic criticism do not know better.
they are not to be congratulated upon
their intelligence.
A very serious commentary on thu
practice OF iynchlng Is found In the
news from Joplin. Mo. wherein IL Is
stated that the negro spirited away by
the officers q the Laws 20 prevent his be-
ing lynched was not the real culprit
the mob was after.
This Protest Must 30 Heard.