The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-04-21
THE PORTO RICAN BILL.

i9oo'
Special Correspondence
n HE Porto Rican tariff bill is law, despite every OBJ
stace that the free trade Democracy could throw IN
its way. Could they have compelled the enactment
of establishing immediate and absolute
free trade with Porto Rico they would have had opportunity
that the precedent thus established must be appeu
the Philippines, Hawaii and any other non-contguous
territory which might subsequently into similar rea-
tons with the United States and that by the act OF the ke-
publican party the cheap labor Of the Orient and the tropics
thus be brought into direct competition with the work
ngmen and agricuturss of the United States That was
the political opportunity for which the Democrats were tight
Ig but they failed to accomplish it.
The bill it stands proposes to temporarily collect on
goods passing from Porto Rico into the United States and
from the United States into Porto Rico cent OF the re-
gula Dngey tariff and pay into the empty treasury OF the
island every dollar collected this plan to continue only
until the legislature of Porto Rico shall have provided local
taxation sufficient the necessities OF the island and IN
event continue beyond March l. 1902 after which date
there be absolute free trade between the island and the
United States.
One of the objects of tariff upon Porto Rcos products
imported here establish right to impose such tariff
in later years. should it be found necessary This will be
precedent in legislation for new possessions, the
Philippines The proposed import duy-I5 per cent OF the
Dngley raesis merely nominal within per cent OF Tree
trade Back Of established power and recognized
authority to deal with these questions shall wses and
best when know about the whole matter, and shall
better understand the situation with which we have to
deal.
What Porto Rico to day know, what it may become
ten twenty years from now under the influence OF Amer
can capital and enterprise, only conjecture. Cotton
may grown there and cotton manufacturing might become
large industry With cheap island labor, the product Of
our own Northern Southern mills could thus be under
Sold Would be right expose the agricultural and in
dusra interests these United States to such competition?
the principal OF tariff be not maintained, it might be
difficult if impossible, impose hereafter if should
thus become necessary Then the Republican party would
be blamed and Justly for its neglect to protect the IN
Of American citizens on the mainland and Tor Its lack
of forethought.
1t NAV be that sugar yield there grow to such
extent curta the available market area for our growing
beet industry The may be true Of tobacco OF vege
tables of oranges of rice of hides hemp, and other pro-
ducts claimed that there is danger to-day But
that there strong probability OF danger to American in
duses through the establishment of free trade relations
with Porto Rico as precedent for policy in dealing with
all OUTLYING possessions deny after having
given the subject careful investigation. What applies to
Porto Rico might be held apply equally other possess
ions and who what develop in that much larger
and equally fertile in the East with its abundance OF
cheap labor
This what guard against. Withouta precedent
and the established right impose tariff upon any of the
products of island possessions the United States in
wears feel the effect OF such lack of legislation to
very serious degree
Bv the adoption of this lie gislation future protection will
be possible to American interests in be needed agans
that source against the Philippines against the DaIs
West Indies should acquire he outlying posses
sions
An ounce of prevention is worth pound OF cure, and
is best not to fix precedent that will abolish right which
maintains national policy Moreover the Republican
party will not be committed the policy Of free trade
earnestly desired by the Democrats.