The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-22
DEBATE ON PUERTO
R|CAN TARIFF BILL.


posing to establish free trade with Puerto
Rico was in accordance with the recon-
mendations of the president, secretary oil
war and others familiar with the con-
ditions and necessities Of the people OF the
island. He announced that he would sup
port the substitute IL offered, and, II de-
feated, rather than not have any legis-
iation, he would vote for the pending
measure This announcement drew APP
piause from the Republicans. 1t created
some surprise on the Democratic side,
where 1t was understood that Bromwell
intended to oppose the bill outright.
Refuses to Yield to Dalxeli.
DalzelI arose to interrupt BromwelL The
latter refused to yield.
II presume the gentleman who is about
to interrupt me- said he. is prepared TO
say as / am informed he has said to
others, that the president IL in favor OF this
bili' / don't dispute II. bnt 1 say that no
longer ago than day before yesterday,
representative of one OF the great Repub-
licsn papers OF this country WAS sent to
the president by his paper for the purpote
Of ascertaining the view Of the president
The paper wanted TO support the presiden-
tial policy; it wanted to know whether 1t
should continue editorialiy to support the
position the president had taken in his
message, and the representative Of that
paper was assured at that time that the
president was of the same opinion and that
paper should go on as 1t had been doing.
Now II the president, since his message 70
congress in December. has obtained infor-
nation which shows that conditions are
different today than what they were then.
II r a solemn duty that he owes 10 con-
gress that he should communicate that adj
ditional information to MS tAppause). Let
the president send message to this house.
Let him say to us: Conditions are differ
ent today in Puerto Rico from what they
were in December Let him say. nave
additional information that ! did not nave
when | wrote my message in December
and the recommendation OF the president
will receive at the hands of every NM
will receive At the hands OF every MEM
Der OF this house, and | am sure, speaking
for myself. that IL will receive from my
hands all that consideration that IL due TO
every conscientious and honest chief execu-
tive OF this country. Appausel But we
get no such information at first hand II
comes to us through half dozen channels.
and we are advised that II we will call
personally the president he viii assure
us that he wants us to vote for this Din.
| IL the committee ways and means in
! this house had taken its Republican coll
leagues into its confidence when this great
measure was under consideration there
might not have been the same opposition
that there is today. (App,ause). The only
| conclusion that can reach is that the
! opposition that has been made By certain
interests In this country has been power
| full enough for this committee to change
| their minds"
Objections 10 the Hill.
In conclusion. Bromwell said
'If merely for the purpose OF proclaIming
ftphf m 1kaA as.,tt
deem 1t necessary to make any distinction
In the tariff laws of the two countries let
IL be shown by modification Of the inter-
nal revenue laws which shah relieve. rather
than increase the burdens of the Islands
This means much for the Puerto Ricans. II
they are not treated fairly. II they conceive
the idea that they are being treated no bet
ter than they were under Spanish rule; II
they look with suspicion upon our protos-
sons ~ friendship, they will be ready to
cast or their allegiance and Join our foes
whenever opportunity offers A monarcnical
government may well claim might makes
right. but how much more noble would I,
be for this great free and liberty-loving
republic to adopt the motto right is might
! here and must prevail
Henry Also Opposes.
Henry followed IN opposition TO the III.
which he said was more damnable than
the laws enacted by the British parliament
against the people who Inhabited the thir-
I teen colonies prior 20 i77e
Long Relieves the BiiI Necessary.
Long, member Of the ways and means
| committee, closed the debate for the day
| With a speech in favor OF the bill. He was
/ a supporter OF the administration and ne
would not knowingly oppose the wishes Of
| the president. The ways and means com
mittce had carefully considered the preSi-
| dents recommendation aud had framed
| bill to raise revenue for the island II was
a political question and must be mot now.
Puerto Rico was PROSTATE. Relief could
come only by the authorization OF loan.
a direct appropriation Of the United states
treasury. or the enactment OF a law TO
raise revenue The committee considered
mat the last method was preferable. Mr
| Long said In conclusion:
THE acquisition OF Puerto Rico ana the
! Philippines has made Il possible for this
country. In the second century Of its eS-
/ istence, 10 extend i,s trade into foreign
! lands and become a power on the sea, ss
! q ls-upou land To DO this however. We
must make tariffs Tor Puerto Rico and
/ the Philippines. and treaties are being
made 20 establish the same policy in
| China This policy does not mean free
I trade In the Philippines. but II means that
| the goods and the ships Of ali nations
shall be admitted on an equality With
those - the United States But u the
I minority 's right. Nc can do nothing ex-
cept extend the customs and revenue laws
90 the Islands and absolute free trade is
/ the result Spain. under the treaty. for
zen years can take her goods and mer-
| chandise there free. once there we would
| he powerless 20 place a tarir upon her
goods coming from those ISLANDS into the
United states. on the fate ~ this aiii
( depends me future policy OF the admins
trsti0a in relation tp our trade NTH the
| Philippines ana the FAR East"
The presidents message transmitting
the repiy Of the secretary OF state relative
20 the Macrurn resolution was read
At 5 clock the house adjourned