The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-28
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Up to the introduction OF the bill I'M
posing a tariff upon all articles brought
into the United States from Porto Rico
and upon all American goods imported
into Porto Rico the Republicans had de-
clared that the charge that they favored
colonial policy was false.
The Porto Rico tariff bill is to be the
first overt act of the administration
showing that it proposes to override tnt
Constitution and enter at once upon the
duties and favors which
prevail in an empire. Mr.. Webster said
that this country could NOT have colo
MES because under OUT form Of govern
ment we could not govern them, being
committed to only one system OF gov
eminent. He sad that an empire might
have colonies because ii could have as
many diverse systems Of government
rs it had separate dependencies. And
Mr.. Webster was formerly considered
something Of constitutional lawyer, IN
the days before our statesmen discover
ed that the Declaration of Independence
was mere empty bombast and the Consti-
tuition an out-worn document quite un-
suited 10 present needs, before canned
freedom" became q regular commodity OF
export, when the flag was regarded as
the emblem OF national dignity and au-
thority and not as an advance notice
OF American beer and beans,
The fight on this infamous bin, made
by Democrats and Disguised Republicans
alike, has driven its supporters from
cover. All pretense that it is justified
by necessity or that Il is per Sc intended
to accomplish aught Of good fer this M
ton or for Porto Rico has been thrown
aside. The Congressional cabal declares
tlgst it is a fight on principle" fight
to establish a precedent for governing
Porto Rico, the Philippines, and any
ether territory that can be bought or
conquered, entirely without regard to The
hitherto well established limitations 10
federal power. 1t is bold attempt 20
begin an outright colonial system of
government, to give the imperial tenden-
cies of the past year and q half definite
form and shape in law. This the Re-
publican leaders IN Congress have
ceased to deny, and had they not it is
abundantly shown by the reduction Of
the proposed tariff on Porto Rican goods
from % per cent 20 Is per cent.
----
Upon this matter there has been
complete change Of front by the Replb-
lican majority in Congress within the
month. As was shown in the debats,
yesterday Chairman Payne, of the Ways
and Means Committee, is on record ~
having declared that free trade is ea-
scntial to the prosperity Of Porto RICO.
The draft OF the original bill has under
gone changes in keeping with the veerins
sentiment Of Republican Congressmen.
As originally drawn and introduced in
the Senate by Mr. Foraker, section L
of this bill read as follows:
THAT the Constitution and all tue
laws Of the United States, locally
applicable, except as hereinbff0re or
hereinafter otherwise provided, shall
have the same force and effect in the
island of Porto Rico as elsewhere in the
States"
The words Constitution and al tbe'
have been stricken out and statutory"
substituted, ''the island of" ana else
where" likewise stricken out, so that the
section is made to read: THAT the stat
utory laws of the United States locally
applicable, except as herein before or
hereinafter otherwise provided shall
have the same force and effect in Porto
Rico as in the United States"
Nothing that has been done at this
session Of Congress shows moro clearly
what sort of government the Republican
party proposes TO give the newly acquir-
! cd territory than this change in tho
wording of the Porto Rican BILL 1t
puts beyond all cayil, Porto Rico with
out the pale Of the Constitution and by
the deliberate erasure of that word
shows that the Constitution is not to be
consulted IN it's government or in the
government of the PHILIPPINES. They
are TO be colonies. This is to become
an empire in purpose and effect, X
whatever name il is called
And so it comes that this bill Of
seemin. i2si.rifcance, apparently 3