Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1900-03-02
Tariff Bill Wrongs Porto Ricans.

Rev. DR.. Randolph III. McKim, rector
of the church of the Epiphany, recently
preached upon subject that is now oc-
cupying the attent on of the nations
legislators and statesmen. 1.-The Cry of
Justice and Humanity Against the Porto
Rico Tariff Bill' was the theme of his
discourse. The statements of the min
lister were strong and weighty. His
words were carefully chosen, and his
treatment of the subject conservative,
says the Post of that city. A large con-
gregation listened with deep interest
DR. McKim took as his text Amos, V = !:
Yes, trample upon the poor, and we
take from him exactions of wheat"
"rhe Porto Rico tariff BILL" said the
minister, "invoves "A great moral issue.
which affects the character and the good
name of the whole American people.
With its moral aspect the church of God
has right, and it is its bounden duty, to
deal. High above the petty intrigues of
party politicians or the debate upon the
constitutional Interpolation rises the il =
evitable moral issue, which is hanging in
the balance with the passage or defeat of
the bill. If it passes, then, in my judy
ment, the congress of the United States
will have committed itself TO policy of
injustice and Observation-Disclosures be-
cause it involves violation of the
plighted faith of the nation. and inhu-
mainly because It involves a violation of
the plainest dictates of charity and pity.
IF the Hebrew prophets felt within
them the inspiration of the Almighty to
rebuke in His name those who oppressed
the poor, surely the ministers Of Jesus
Christ need not incur the charge of ia
naticism if they feel deeply moved by
the spirit of God to rebuke such legisla
ton as this, which proposes to lay heavy
burdens upon an impoverished and half
starving people, who, only eighteen
months ago, welcomed us with acclama-
tions as delivercrs from the yoke OF
Spanish oppression, and to whom the
cOmmanderin chief of our armies issued
p defamation, saying: we have come
to oestow upon you the blessing and inn
munities of the liberal institutions of our
government
II cannot keep silent while a great legis
lative wrong is being perpetrated. The
pulpit is MOI too sacred place in which
to preach righteousness and Justice. Here
is definite. concrete wrong on the eve of
being committed. Shall the pulpit be
silent? God forbid
porto Rico became American territory
by conquest. The president of the United
States, the secretary of war and the
governor general of the island. after
careful study of the situation, were OF
one mind, that we should abolish all Gus
toms tariffs between the United States
and Porto Rico and give her products
free access to our markets. Here was
remarkable consensus of opinion among
the men who were In the best position tC
Judge what was due to Porto Rico anC
what was due to ourselves, to our gooC
faith and to our sense of Justice. 1t was
hailed by the Porto Rican inhabitant:
with delight as the measure of relief anC
help which they ardently desired anC
sorely needed. Finally, the ways anC
means committee gave their adhesion t(
the proportions of the president and hi
advisers, and brought in bill for fret
trade accordingly
"But, alas, That committee under
went remarkable change of opinion
| will not say through what means or un
der whose potent advice. Enough t.
say, that bill was withdrawn and tn,
present one introduced, which puts thu
people of Porto Rico in the position O
foreigners toward the great republic un
der whose aegis they were so eager t
take refuge. 1t taxes the principal fooC
of the poor, rice, up to % per cent. of it
value. | arraign the proposed legisla
ton as an unrighteous exercise of power
supposing the power to be constitution
al, because it lays upon an already poo
and Impoverished people burden TOT
heavy to be borne. We have closed tn
markets of Cuba against her. Those o
Spain are also closed to her by the re
suits of the war, and now this bill pro
poses to close her only remaining mar