Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-26
The Puerto Rican Question.

Misrepresentation in the public mind as
| to the real reasons behind the present
Puerto Rican bill. President Mckinley
| recommended in his message to Con-
| gress that these people be given free
| trade with the United States. The sec
rotary of war made the same recon-
menda ton in his annual report, and
Chairman Payne of the ways and
means committee introduced, and had
referred to his committee bill carry
ing these recommendations into effect.
Since then this whole question has been
very carefully investigated and consid-
cred in committee. leading representa-
tives of Puerto Rican interests have
been heard General Davis. the military
governor, has appeared and given his
views. growing out of his personal OBJ
servation and experience. at some
length. In, short all the facts bearing
upon the question have been carefully
sifted with the result that the Repub-
lican members of that committee, with
one exception, men of distinguished
ability, with wide experience in public
affairs. who possess, in a marked de
gree, the confidence and esteem Of their
fellow members, have reported a bill,
not for free trade, but for a trade
which carries only % per cent. of the
duty imposed upon the products of
foreign countries, with the further
provision that the revenue thus raised
shall be applied wholly to the uses of
Puerto Rico.
Now it is evident that the President
the secretary of war, and the chairman
at least of the ways and means COM
mittee. have the interests of Puerto
there We're no practical difficulties in
the way they would be glad to have
them enjoy free trade with this coun-
try. The fact therefore. that the bill
reported provides for a small revenue
duty, is pretty strong proof that 70 the
minds Of these true ana trusted lead
ers there are objections to the eXtcn-
sion Of free trade TO Puerto Rico. how
ever desirable such a move might ap-
pear to be as an abstract proposition.
Conditions are usually more powerful
than theories. For some rea-
son the press dispatches appear
to nave been devoted largely
to the Democratic side Of this
debate. with the result that the public
has been slow in getting at the true
reasons behind the majority report Of
the WAYS and means committee. Now
that the Congrc ssional Records con-
tanning the speeches of Mr.. Payne, Mr..
Dalzeu and others are at hand these
reasons appear very clearly and strong
~. ana it is evident that. in reporting
as they did, the majority of the COM
mittec were governed by a desire 70
serve what they believed to be the true
interests of Puerto Rico. Let US look at
these reasons, as stated by these Re
publican leaders for moment, and
sec if they re not sound and logical
The superficial area of Puerto Rico is
,00O. 900 acres. and it has a population
Of about 1000, 600 people. making it the
mostly densely populated piece of ter
ritory in the world. Only Il per cent
of its population can read ard write
and the first building ever constructed
for school purposes in the island has
been erected since the United States
general illiteracy is not the fault
of the people. who are quick and eager
to learn but is one Of the outComes Of
corrupt Spanish rule. which collected
annually from the people Of this island
by a burdensomc and exacting system
Of taxation. sum equivalent to about
s. GOO, 900 Of our money. fully half Of
which went into the pockets of Spanish
officials. and for the support of the
Nl'dHlSIl III lily anu nav y II 10 " l'itiil.
therefore. that the first and crying
need Of these people is an adequate
50 hool system extending to every part
of the island. Next must come the
building Of good roads, Il modern ju-
dicial system and other internal i'm
provcments Now all of these matters
call for revenue. No government can
be progressively administered without
funds How shall they be obtained?
Congressman DllZell states the matter
very clearly when he says:
we can get revenue only in one Of
three ways. BY borrowing, by direct
appropriations from the federal treas
ury. or by taxation. | 40 not believe
that Congress would be justified in
starting Puerto Rico on its new career
mortgaged for the expenses Of its cur
rent meets. - = 49,,
II do not believe however strong may
he the sympathy Of the American peo-
pie for the Puerto RicanS that they
Tho YnllnN Mnfhnr