The Portland daily press., 1900-03-09

Pettus,
Advertlng TO The criticism sFsussd by
the bill, both IN the newspapers ana
among the people. Mr.. Foraker said IL
seemed that the Idea was abroad that the
act proposed 20 deal illIberally with the
people OF p orto Rico. He was Of opinion
that misundsrstaa OF the measure
prevailed.
"Instsad Of being iIiiberal =" said Mr..
Foraker, this measure is the most liberal
and generous legislation ever proposed
for territory Of the United States"
So far as he had been informed, no In
tslligent and appreOiative man In Porto
Rico had disssnted from the propositions
Of the measure. There may have BEEN
some criticism on the part OF Porto
Rloans, but generally IL was accepted as
an excellent bill.
Mr.. Foraker thsn discussed at length
the testI mony Of Governor General Davis
Of Porto Rlco befor, the committse on
Pacific islands and Porto Rico.
Mr.. Lindsay OF Kentucky, interrupted
Mr.. Foraker to inquire II General Davis
himsslf had not recommended free trade
with Porto Rico.
YES" replied Mr.. Foraker. The diu
make such q recommendation. But the
oom mittee after full consideration de-
clded against his proposition. We are here
to legislate for the whole United States
and we were forced to consider the ques-
ton from all points of view. The tarin
provision was conceived in mercy to the
Porto Ricans and In Its generosity 10 10
without precedent In the territorial leeis-
lation of the United SrateG
"Ths mortgage indebtedness OF the
islas ] is SEQ. 0Oo, 600. The United States
government extended the time for the
payment Of that debt for eighteen
months. II 1t had not been for the United
States the whole Of this vast property
would have besn sold to satisfy creditors.
II neosssary the time will be extended
again and perhaps again untii Congress
gets done discussing constitutional quss-
tions and goes to the relief Of q suffering
people,"
Mr.. Foraker explained the provisions OF
the bill showing that all the Internal
taxes and the customs duties instead OF
being paid into the United stAtes treas
ury Is had been the case In every other
territory would go into the treasury OF
the island and be solely for the benefit OF
the Porto Rioans. In round figures, these
revenues would aggregate S,OOO.Ooo.
about 81, 400, 900 from customs and .sooo-'
900 from inter nal revenue.
Mr.. Lindsay asked how much the last
year of Spanish rule on the Island cost
the Inhabitants.
"About "a, 900. COO" replied Mr.. Foraker,
land It ives expended as only Spaniards
oan expend money that comes to them In
that way"
Mr.. 0allinger interjeoted the remark
that It was proposed to expend u. Coz, COO
for school houses on the island and like
sum for the construction OF roads
"Yes," continued Mr.. Foraker, 1--WE
propose to do that, and, we propose In
that connection to provide the Inhabitants
with reuunerative labor and employ
ment."
Continuing, the Ohio Senator said that
after all means Of raising revenues had
been considered, 1t was found necessary
to provide at least 81 ,OO0, 600 more per an
mum. Then ID was proposed to levy
duty Of twenty five per cent OF the Ding
ley law on products Of the island Inn
ported into this country and TO turn the
amount so raised back to Porto Rioo.
1.-THE Senator admits" said Mr.. Davis.
interrupting, "that this handing back OF
revenues to a political subdivision OF the
United Staes Is unprecedented. Then
why not raise the revenue rs usual and II
necessary to relieve distress In Porto Hoo
provide the relief by direct appropria-
tion from the United States treasury"
"The United States has never under
taken to support a local government In
any territory" replied Mr.. Foraker.
"The situation in Porto Rico Is anomal-
GUS. II the island Is to have schools, good
roads and public Improvements, 1t must
get them through taxation and such tax
alton as lie proposed In this bill"
"What effect is q gratuity OF this
kind?" inquired Mr.. Davis, "a gratuity
which places the Inhabitants in the status
Of mendiciants. going to have upon the
PEOPLE of Porto Ri cor 1t seems to me d.
rect appropriations for their needs would
be much to be preferred"
"This is great emergency" replied
Mr.. Foraker, tive cannot depend upon
such appropriations as the Senator sug-
gests. The people would all be dead of
starvation before the relief could reach
them. The Senator from Minnesota
would vote for such an appropriation and
other Senators would not. The commit
tes thoroughly considered that matter
and decided that 1t would be better TO
adopt the provisions of this hill, unex-
amplsd In their generosity and liberali-
ty."
In response to an inquiry. Mr.. Foraker
said it Was generally understood that all
of the sugar and tobacco now on the
island was owned by the sugar and to-
bacco trusts. II this was true, he said,
the imposition of the tariff proposed
would fall upon those we'll able 60 bear IL
and to contribute at least that muoh to
tho sufferina roor Porto Rioana.