The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1900-03-08
TWO SIDES ToIT.

to the opinion that Porto Rico
should have free and untrammeled
trade relations with the rest of the
United States that it is in fact
part and parcel of the country as
is Alaska, and that the same rights
and privileges should be accorded
her. The passage by the house OF
representatives of a tariff bill plac.
ing the duties at fifteen per cent.
of those in the Dingley schedule
was a surprise. 1t was made
party issue, every democrat vot-
5ng against it and every republi-
can excepting six voting for it
thereby giving it bare majority.
Two Minnesota members, Messrs.
Heatwole and Fletcher were among
the six republicans who voted
against the measure. At first
sight there seems no justification
for such discrimination, and the
measure has been seriously con-
demned by very influential, in
telligent and patriotic contingent
of the republican press both east
and west. That the money de-
rived from the tariff is to be ex-
pended in and for Porto Rico ex-
clusively is not deemed sufficient
justification. Better that the
money for the material welfare of
the island be appropriated directly
from the United States treasury.
as is the case when other territur-
ial expenses exceed income.
While holding these views the
HERALD appreciates the fact that
there is something to be said upon
the other side-some excuse or
justification for its passage. Hon.
Frank M. Eddy, whose honesty and
intelligence are both beyond i'm
parchment, gives an elaborate ex-
PLANTATION in the Minneapolis Trib-
une, of which the HERALD prints a
large portion elsewhere. Read it,
give it the weight to which it is en-
titled, and accord to him and his
conferres who voted for it that
same honesty of conviction which
you demand for yourself.
Hon. Page Morris is quoted as
saying that he fears that his vote
on the Porto Rican tariff bill will
defeat him for reelection, as it is
an unpopular measure in his dis
tricf, which is close at best. 1t is
quite natural that he should so feel,
but there is no occasion for dis
courlgement. He exaggerates the
influence that vote will have with
the people. When it is borne in
mind that the United States Con-
gress is confronted with new prob
lens by reason of the country en-
tering upon novel and untried
policy-th that of dealing with non
contiguous territory peculiarly &C
quired, it, is Ito be expected that
mistakes will be made in the petty
details of adjusting affairs. What
could be reasonably expected? The
main proposition is in no way in
volved-the deep-seated principle
is not affected. Expansion is an
assumed fact---an accepted policy.
The highest welfare CT the annexed
territory is the honest purpose of
the republican party in its deal
ings with such territory, and the
inhabitants thereof-and it will ul-
timately be attained. The perfect
ed policy will be the result of ex-
Fermentation, of political evolution.
That no errors will be made is be-
yond comprehension. The tariff
bill as passed by the house was
measure which appeared best suit
ed for the existing conditions.to
those who drew and advocatedit.
A majority of the people evidently
think some other means best
adapted for accomplishing the pur-
pose. Even those who think so
will not go SO far to rebuke mis-
take of a valuable public servant,
honestly made, as to dispense with
services which in every other par
ticular have been of inestimable
benefit. Mr.. Morris has a record
in congress which is enyiable. His
ability is conceded and has been
publicly recognized by his col
legues and the speaker. The Por-
to Rican tariff bill is relatively a
small incident, and whatever mis-
take there may have been in it will
be rectified. No-Mr. Morris need
have no fears-his constituency is
too intelligent and discrimatingt to
turn him down for an Insignificant
error in judgment.
Not the city of st. Paul, not the
- ~ Al Er1;e