The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-03-09
POOR PORTO RICO.

The action of the House Of Repre-
sentatives last week in passing the
Porto Rican tariff bill was not unex-
pected. The party lash was applied
with unusual vigor and even the
President himself, was compelled to
recede from the position he had taken
in his message urging free trade. OF
course this is not surprising, when
we consider his weak kneed and va
cillating action on SO many important
subjects. When an absolute free
silver man like he was when he repre-
sented portion of Ohio in the lower
branch of the National Legislature
can come out on a gold standard
platform as he did in 1896, and have
the people support him in all his
acrobatic feats, his action is nothing
more than can be expected. 1t would
not surprise US in the least to hear
him denouncing the purchase of the
Philippine Islands before the next
six months, if the powers behind him
ordered it to be done. No. We are
not disappointed in Mr.. Mckinley.
When he went into the White House
we comforted ourselves with the
modern beatitude BLESSED is he that
expects nothing, for he shall not be
disappointed"
But to return to poor Porto Rico
She heralded with joy, her release
from Spanish bondage, because she
she thought that this meant a release
from unjust taxation. Itappeared to
the innocent natives that under the
benign influence Of civilized govern
ment her natural resources would be
wonderfully developed, and SO it
seemed to all the rest of us. But alas,
no one had thought about consulting
Mark Hanna, and it was a grievous
error. For some good reason, best
known to himself, for Marcus does
not confide much with the public, he
and his coterie decided that a duty
must be levied, and as all revenue
bills must originate in the House it
was put through under whip and
spur.
We will now wait and see how the
Senate will dispose of this matter. At
the present time it looks as if there
will not be quite such plain sailing.
II Arthur P. German was a member
OF that body any school boy could
foretell its fate. However, there are
several prominent Republicans who
are openly hostile to the bill and if
they choose to combine with the
Democrats, could defeat it, provided
they were headed by a sagacious
leader.
AS to the merits of the measure it
seems almost ridiculous to discuss it in
serious light. Porto Rico is now as
much portion of the United States
as New Jersey is, and it would be as
sane to levy tax on this States pro-
ducts as it is on our newly acquired
territory. In fact it would be more
so, if we take into consideration those
gigantic trust frauds that are annual
ly turned out by her legislative en-
actments.
All this however, is good campaign
material for the Democrats, if they
are only wise enough to stop their in
ternal wrangling and go together to
down the common foe. Now is the
chance to make history which
thousand years will not efface, if we
will only avail ourselves of the oppor.
tunity.
One Of the most fearful mine dis
asters which have occurred for several
years, took place on Tuesday in the
Red Ash mine, near Thurmond, w.
Va. An explosion of fire damp-ore
Of the most deadly Of explosive gases
caused the disaster. More than
fifty bodies were taken out on that
day, and it is believed that at least
one hundred miners were killed at
once. The list of the dead may reach
1875.