New-York tribune., 1900-12-02
THE PORTO RTCAN TARIFF.
DISCUSSION IN THE ISLAND AS TO
WHETHER IT SHOULD BE ABROGATED
BY THE NEW LEGISLATURE

Washington Nov. 80 (SpeciaD.-The abrogation OF
the Porto Ricar tariff is being seriously discussed
by the press Of Porto Rico The Porto Rican Tariff
act. n may be remembered. provides that when
ever the legislative assembly OF Porto Rico shall
have enacted and put into operation A system OF
local taxation n meet the necessities OF the gov
erument of Porto Rico by this act established, and
shall by resolution duly passed so notify The Pres
ldent ne shall make proclamation thereof and
thereupon sI tarin duties on merchandise and
articles goirg into Porto Rico from the United
States coming into the United States from Porto
Rico shall cease and from and after such date al.
such merchandise and articles shall he entered at
the several ports OF entry flee Of duty"
The Porto Ri,an Legislature, elected on November
g. viii meet soon and viii. under the provisions
of the Porto Rican act, above quoted. have the
power 10 terminate the Porto Rican tariff by enact
Ing legislation which will provide funds for the
necessiuties Of the government OF Porto Rico That
the question whether this action shall be taken is
being discussed by the press and public of that
Island Is shown by the following editorial article
from THE San Juan porto RicoD Daily News" Of
November Is. 1900 just received by the Treasury
Bureau OF Statistics:
We have lived now FOR six months under the s.
Is IL good bad? Has il leiped or iniured us
TIE Legislature viii have these questions To decide
We now nave the question 20 deal with aside
ana snart from politics. Its use as a campaign club
Is past and gone. The burden OF deciding this
very important question Is solely upon the legis-
!sture As il desrees, 50 shall il he If il desires
Tree traoe basis. n can he ordered.
y me people of Porto Rico, through the Iegis-
tafure, desire 10 continue the tarin. II can be
done precedent has been established which
WI. permit this class Of taxation. II mas heen
legally decreed that such action IL constitutions
u The tarir IS abolished Il is al once evident
that more burdensome and higher rate Of in
ternal taxation must be imposed. Where and upon
What this shall be levied IS indeed perpexing
question.
Aside from all the dhiculties that NAV or wiz
siise trom ihe abolition OF the tarih, let glance
~ the tarin itself and what IN has done In
ire lasi slA months the Is per tariff has az.
FORCED the~9sland as much II not more revenue
than The l0J per tariff. The theory Thar IN,
way - Increase revenue is by lowering The taxes
Is proved 10 be true for Porto Rico. This reNenl,
VIII be constantly increasing trade Increases
IS n IS sure 10 do In has helred the consumer
for II has lowered the taxes ne has 10 paw. no
only on American goods. but upon al goods tina
results in an increase Of fmportations This help
the producer by constantly providing him a mean
20 carry his goods 10 the great American market
which Is always hungry for the products thi
isla nd has 10 dispose Of. Again. unless we have
trafhc both ways, the steamers must make on
trip without cargo and the freight is thereb,
doubled.
A tariG helps borrowers: IL viii give our Sc
cuTlties a stand in the United States which the
she tariff revenue. The argument SO often ad
vsnced IN favor of a tariff tax as against othe
means of raising revenue that II IS easily col
lectec, Is especially forcible in Porto Rico w
would advise rhst tho tariff Is necessary and II I
were not IL would sfi be the most conveuIen
and logical means ef raising revenue Let IN
tsrin stand al l5 per cent.