The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-01
SUPPORTED BY FAIRBANKS.
An Argument in the senate in Favor
of thc Porto Rican BiII.

of thc Porto Rican BiII.
Mr.. Fairbanks made a long speech in
the Senate yesterday in favor of the pend
ing Porto Rican bill which he declared
has his unqualified support
Mr. Fairbanks devoted considerable
amount of time to an argument in support
of the proposition that Congress has full
power over Porto Rico. which, he declared
has the overwhelming weight of author
ity and sound reason. "
THE necessity Of providing revenue for
the support of the island. he said, lis
more manifest the more familiar we be
come with the actual conditions prevail
ing and with what is needed to rehabili-
tate it. Upon a closer and more minute
enquiry il seemed impossible, or at least
inadvisable, to attempt to raise the en-
tire amount required to support the in
sular administration by direct tax upon
the people"
He discussed the statement which he
said had been made that the trusts are in
terested in the pending bill and declared
that if they have an interest it is limited
to sugar and tobacco. two articles which
! are exported to the United States.
The sugar interest" he said. ''as we
are advised. is interested chiefly. if not
exclusively. in the refining Of sugar 1t is,
therefore interested in the question as
to whether raw sugar purchased in Porto
Rico shall be admitted into the United
States free or with tariff of IL per cent
of the Dingley rates imposed upon it?
''The least observant mind must per-
ceive that il is interested in the absolute
free admission of raw sugar and that it
is in the very nature of things, opposed
to the imposition of any duty whatever.
/ II is inconceivable that il would advocate
the imposition of a duty upon its raw
product, so as to increase the price there
of to itself. unless we attribute to it less
, sagacty than il is supposed TO possess"
Mr. Fairbanks said that it is estimated
that there is NJ present in Porto Rico To-,
900 tons or more of raw sugar awaiting
shipment to the United States upon the re-
duction or entire removal of the Dingley
rates. On this subject he said:
IF a duty of 10 per cent of the Dingley
duties is paid upon this sugar and other
sugars which are purchased by the trus,
and those in like interest, who will be the
beneficiary? That is to say. for whose bene
fit is the money paid at the custom house?
1t VIII not go into the Treasury of the
United States but Will be used for the ex-
elusive benefit of Porto Rico. This contri-
button for the support of the insular gov
ernment will not be made by the masses
very large measure, by the Sugar Trust, or
by the wealthy Spanish importers. Gen
eral Davis informs us that "a large part
of the mercantile and exporting houses are
owned and conducted by Spanards, men
who. under the treaty, preserve their Span
ish nationality.
What is said with respect TO the Sugar
Trust supplies with equal force to the To-
bacco Trust. 1t is interested if at all, in
the absolute free admission of tobacco. The
removal of the entire duty and unrestricted
free trade would undoubtedly meet with Its
cordial and enthusiastic approval. Can
there be the remotest possible ground to
doubt this?
Mr.. Fairbanks referred to the fact that
few weeks ago the Sugar Trust was
plsintifl in a suit brought against the Col
lector of Customs in New York city to re-
cover about s.. .00o0 600 collected on imports
from Porto Rico. on the ground that the
Constitution extends over the island. and
that the duties could not be lawfully col
lected. He said that of the amount col
lected 30 per cent or nearly 81, SOC. coo, rep
resented the duties paid on sugar and to-
bacco, and that TO maintain the suit the
Sugar Trust denies the constitutional pow
er of the United States to collect any duty
whatever
THE opposition" he said would have
us believe that while the trust was in the
courts denying the constitutional power Of
Congress 10 impose any duties upon the
raw sugars imported by it at New York II
was in Washington advocating before
Congress the imposition of a duty upon
sugar ] do not believe that anyone will
fail to understand how utterly contradic-
tory and absurd the proposition is
Mr.. Fairbanks declared that the only
legislation suggested in the present Con-
gress which was in the interest of the
sugar and tobacco trusts were proposed by
the senior Senator from Arkansas tMr.
,IonesJ; VINO introduced an amendment pro-
posing to refund to those VINO had paid IL
the 81. 0O0O00 collected on imports from
Porto Rico. He said that If the Senator's
amendment had been adopted the money
would be returned TO the sugar and to-
bacco trusts and other importers now suing
the Government.
For one he continued Il would re-
gard myself recreant to the trust com
mitied to me and false to the best inter-
ests Of the people of the United States if
did not, by my vote, compel these trusts
and their allied interests to pay some part
of maintaining the Porto Rican Govern
IneGt, which they do pay under the duty
upon their raw products. rather than in
crease the direct taxes upon the people in
pirate it from the Treasury OF the United
States.
s'Mr President. IL has not escaped pub
uc attention that lobby from Porto Rico
has been maintained here during the con
sideration of the pending bill 1t is headed
by British subject who has been insisteni
for free trade between Porto Rico and the
United States, and who is one OF the larg-
est producers OF sugar In the island hav-
ing over $500 coo invested In his sugar en-
terprises. /; is quite natural that he
should desire that his product should + ach
the american market without any. duty
whatever"
In conclusion Mr. Fairbanks said: 1T is
not given to finite mind TO read the future
OF Porto Rico. but We may believe that
under the inspiration Of Republican laws
and under the impetus of American eX-
ample her people will grow In knowledge
strength. and power. and forever bless this
great Republic
PROSPECTS FOR THE BILL.