The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-28
A Late Reclamation.

A Late Reclamation.
During the recent campaign, when aid
and comfort could be extended to the en-
envy by disappearing the motives OF
the administration or the actual effect Of
Republican legislation. the Portland Ore
|. gonian was among the newspapers which
the constitution followed the flag. and
that congress had no power to extend
special revenue laws over the new pos
sessions, any more than to territory
within the Union. The Puerto Rican
tariff bill was the particular object Of
attack. and the right Of congress to pass
any such measure as this was denied Ev.
cry Republican member of congress who
opposed his party's policy on this sub
ject was heartily commended by the Ore
gonian. The campaign Is over. there is
no longer any incentive to vent its spleen
against the national leaders Of the party
to which 1t ostensibiy belongs. and to aid
the cause Of the enemy. which it osten-
sibiy opposes. and the Oregonian can look
at the question from the standpoint OF
reasonable common sense. and permit it,
self for a time to he guided by something
besides personal and private pique So.
In . recent Issue, 1t says:
We think the supreme court will render
N mn hn n
Rico and Philippine plaintiffs: that II will
hold congress to have the power TO make
rules and regulations for the fiscal adj
! rnfnistrationf or the dependencies other
than those in force in the states of the
Union. This,is the preponderance OF the
argument, this Is common sense. Then
II IL for congress to do Its duty by the
dependencies. and treat them Justly and
fairly. Congress itself. and not the SUI
preme court. IL the proper source OF
Justice to the Philippines and of atone
ment for the Puerto Rico iniquity.
The last phrase shows some traces of
the old spirit. The oresonian now ad-
mits that the interests OF the new possess
sions and OF this country require the ex-
ercise by congress OF The power It dis
played when passing the Puerto Rican
tdTin dUu tue sOic SATictuit now Is
on the merits of that measure itself. II
Is TO be presumed that the oregonians
present Characterization of that measure
as an ''iniauity' IL for the purpose of
Saving its face" OF preserving some
| remnants OF consistency. II Is therefore
| pertinent 20 inquire I'm what the iniauity
| OF that measure consists? The Puerto Ri
| can legislature was empowered by that
| law to establish any other law for the
| collection of the revenue needed 10 meet
| the expenses of the island government
| That legislature convened in the early part
of the present month. and II In stated
IN the press dispatches 1hat innumerablc
bills have already been introduced COW
ering vast variety OF subjects IL does
no, appear. however. that u is proposed
| ia any manner to change the Puerto RI
ran tariff law. or provide any other or
different methods Of raising revenue than
those provided in the bill.
Public men Of both parties in Puerto
Rico have given their views on that law.
ana the newspapers IN the island have
also had their say. TakIns them all to-
sether. n does not appear that the Puerto
Ricans have found any reason 10 com
plain OF the operation OF the law, nor
has any disposition been shown 20 aban-
don. or even TO amend u. Wherein Is the
iniauity Of a measure perfectly satisfse-
tory 70 the people OF Puerto Rico. ana
which has not been criticised BY anyone
IN this country save on the theory that
IL works IN some manner. not clearly
defined, an injustice TO the people OF
Puerto Rico9 II those people are dissat-
isfled Sith the law they have right 70
change H. Their legislature is In session
and is fully empowered 20 deal with the
subject but has not done 50. IL the
Puerto Ricsns have no complaint to make
and no desire to change the law, It can
hardly be regarded as an ubiquitous meas
urc. from their standpoint
| II the people VINO opposed the Puerto
Riean tarifr bin and who do not now base
their opposition TO Il upon constitutional
grounds. should be honest and frank. they
would freely admit that they we're mis-
taken in their attacks upon the bin; for
Its complete acceptance by the people OF