The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-04-25
a Porto Ri.an Confession

An interesting proof of the AdministIa-
tons insincerity in its position regarding
the political status OF our Insular Terrific
ries, has just come to light in connection
with a recent Treasury ruling Under one
OF our fiscal laws, when imported salt is
used to cure domestic meat, the packer is
entitled to have the duty on the salt re-
funded on exporting the meat to a for
eign country. A firm in Kansas City. about
to send a shipment Of salted meat to Porto
Rico. applied to the Surveyor Of Customs
at the former place for the rebate to
which they would be entitled il the island
is a foreign country, but not il it is part
of the United States.
The matter was referred 20 the Treasury
Department for decision. On April IL
Assistant Secretary Spaulding wrote to the
Kansas City customs authorities stating
that the Department is of the opinion
that Porto Rico is not a foreign country
within the meaning of the drawback law
This decision is OF large Importance.
Among other things IL explains why the
Administration is afraid to allow the case
Of Jorge Cruz. the Porto Rican contract
prior to the Presidential election. II Porto
Rico is not foreign country within the
meaning of the drawback law" it cer-
tainly is not within the meaning of the
DingIey law. II II is not foreign, then
the Constitution is plainly and nagrantly
violated in levying a tax on its domestic
trade with other portions OF the common
2 fs fSf-
liens are American citizens with consti-
tutional rights. The Administration IN
derstands all this as clearly as We do. It
knows that the position taken by it in
February was consciously and deliberately
a qualification of its real convictions as
TO the extension Of the Constitution to
Porto Rico. What they were and are is
clearly set forth in the first and second
official opinions prepared By Judge Ma
COON, OF the War Department one written
in May and the other probably in October.
1899. The last named inspired the plain
duty" views OF the Presidents December
message.
As we have often remarked the Admin
istration has determined upon a policy
with regard to the new Territories. which
il would not dare to reveal at the present
time. bet which will be developed to the
establishment and ehagrin of the country
should the Republican party be successful
at the polls in November. There are in
I dicatiOns that. in such an event next win
| ter the number OF judges of the Supreme
4 Court will be 50 far increased as to make
! 1t possible to pack that bench with men
/ who could be depended upon to reverse
/ the past decisions OF the Court. pertinent
I to our insular possessions. and which have
been all one way for eighty years. In the
meantime every effort Will be made to
| prevent the Supreme Court as at present
/ constituted from getting a chance TO de-
liver an opinion on the constitutional ques-
ton connected with Porto Rico. The plain
proposition IS that, as the Constitution
stands in the way Of the exploitation Of
Porto Rico and the Philippines by the
trusts and protected monopolies on their
own terms. it is to be violated. defed. and
for practical purposes destroyed. if that
be possible. A Republican victory next
autumn. carrying with il control Of the
House of Representatives. would make TIE
plan not only possible but certain Of COZ
summation. This is something for Ameri-
can voters to reflect upon with earnest
care. II is putting the case too mildly to
say that our free institutions are seriously
| threatened By the combination of trust
magnates and corrupt politicians now in
| control OF the country.