The true northerner., 1900-04-18


First Civil Governor of Porto Rico.
eign countries as are levied on the same
goods entering the United States, save
that coffee, which has free entry into
the United States. is to pay a duty of
five cents per pound on entering Porto
Rico. Scientific, literary and artistic
works and books and pamphlets printed
in the English language may enter Porto
Rico free of duty.
The Tariff Provision.
The tariff section of the bill relating
to duties between the United States and
Porto Rico Is as follows:
THAT on and after the passage of this
act all merchandise coming into the
United States from Porto Rico and COM
ing into Porto Rico from the United
States shall be entered at the several
ports of entry upon payment of 10 per
cent of the duties which are required TO
be levied, collected and paid upon like
articles Of merchandise imported from
foreign countries. and in addition thereto
upon articles OF merchandise of Porto
Rican manufacture coming into the
United States and Withdrawn for con-
sumption or sale upon payment of a tax
equal to the internal revenue tax imposed
ia the United States upon the like articles
of merchandise of domestic manufacture;
such tax to be PAID by internal revenue
stamp or stamps 10 be purchased and pro-
Nlutu DS the COMMISSIONER Oh Internal
revenue and to be procured from the col
lector OF internal revenue at or most con-
venient to the port of entry OF SAID mer-
chandise i'm the United States and to be
affixed under such regulations as the
commissioner of internal revenue, with
the approval of the secretary of the treas
ury, shall prescribe; and on all articles
OF merchandise of United States manu-
facture coming into Porto Rico in addi-
tion to the duty above provided upon pay
ment of a tax TO equal in rate and amount
to the internal revenue tax imposed in
Porto Rico upon the like articles of Por-
to Rican manufacture. Provided. that on
and after the date when this act shall
take effect all merchandise and articles
except coffee, not dutiable under the
tariff laws of the United States, and all
merchandise and articles entered in Por-
TO Rico free of duty under orders hereto
fore made by the secretary of war shall
be admitted into the several ports there
Of when imported from the United States,
free of duty, all laws or parts of laws to
the contrary Notwithstanding; and when
ever the legislative assembly of Porto
Rico shall have enacted and put into op-
Grafton system of local taxation TO meet
the necessities of the government of
Porto Rico, by this act established and
shall by resolution duly passed so notify
the president, he shall make proclamation
thereof, and thereupon all tariff duties
on merchandise and articles going into
Porto Rico from the United States or
coming into the United States from Por-
TO Rico, and from and after such date all
such merchandise and articles shall be
entered at the several ports of entry free
of duty; and in no event shall any duties
be collected after the first day of March,
1902. on merchandise and articles going
into Porto Rico from the United States
or coming into the United States from
Porto Rico.
At Disposal Of President.
''The duties collected under the above
section shall be placed at the disposal of
the president TO be used for the govern
ment and benefit of Porto Rico until the
government of Porto Rico shall have
been organized, when the moneys collect
ed shall be turned into the local treas
ury of Porto Rico. Goods imported from
Porto Rico and under bond shall pay only
the duty imposed by this act"
Governmental Provisions of Bill.
The governmental provisions of the bill
are:
The capital shall be at San Juan. Per-
sons who were Spanish subjects April IL,
1899, and who have not elected to preserve
their allegiance TO Spain are held to be
citizens of Porto Rico and entitled TO the
protection of the United States. The des-
ignation of the body polite is under the
name, The People of Porto Rico.
The laws and ordinances of Porto Rico
now I'm force shall continue in full force
and effect. except as altered by this act,
or by military orders, and which are not
inconsistent with the laws of the United
States.
The old law forbiddng the marriage Of
priests and ministers is repealed.
Powers of the Governor.
The vessels of Porto Rico are TO be ma
tionalzed and admitted TO the benefits OF
the United States coasting laws. Quar-
antine stations are to be established.
Porto Rico coin to be rated. the peso
being rated at 60 cents in the exchange.
Three months after the act takes effect
Porto Rico coins are not to be legal
tender Property usually under the con-
troll of the United States will so con-
tinue and other properties acquired from
Spain will be administered by the Porto
Rican government. The governor Is to
be appointed by the president and hold
his Office for four years. having the pow
ers conferred on governors of territories
of the United States, but is to make his
reports through the secretary of state to
the president.
An Executive Council.
An executive council appointed by the
president and confirmed by the senate.