New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-20
THE DEBATE IN DETAIL.

Nj Payne, chairman OF the Ways ard Means
Committee. moved that the House 20 into Com
mittee OF the Whole 20 consider the Puerto Rfcan
tariff bill he offered make an agreement BY
which general debate should close on Saturday
next, the bill 10 be taken up under the fve minute
rule Monday next. and the anal vote 20 be
taken at o'clock
Mr. Mccall, OF Massachusetts asked II such an
arrangement would preclude vote on The bill
originally introduced by Mr.. Payne for free trade
with Puerto Rico
Mr- Payne replied that that was matter for
the House and the committee decide
Mr. Richardson, the minority leader. insisted that
there should be definite UNDERWRITING thar me
minority could offer a substitute To this NIr
Payne declined 10 agree. and the House went into
Committee Of the Whole with all questions reIat-
ing TO the close OF the debate open
SPEECH OF CHAIRMAN PAYNE.
Mr.. Payne opened the debate with a carefully
prepared argument in support OF the bill Hs
spoke in part as follows
An incident Of the late war with Spain was the
the American Army So is foo. on PGsrJ5 RiI1I a5
sou .he PEOPLE seemed % receive II with demon
was received xitF delight Whatsver s-eTsTcss 1ss
there may nave been as 70 the policy OF annexing
anywhere 70 the annexation OF this gem OF the
Tbs bilI BY It's terms relates only the island
for any legislative action in reference the Philip
pine Is anus when The present insur- ection slaIl
= "
II IL our view of our power under the American
O1ns-.tur-ou
All agree nat the frst and most izuportan. aurv
We owe 10 re peoD.e OF Puerto Rico is 10 open
allay the feeling Of disccntent likely % arise
among a people who have realized 50 little IN the
change from Spanish oppr- ssion OF four hundred
years 10 tHe prosperity and liberty which follow
the American haS.
The Original biL introduced on January p Ias-.
provided that the customs laws OF the United
Puerto Rico The idea was 20 give the pro-
ducer of sugar The free entrance OF this staple
into the UnfSed States. sa wing duty Of so
ton Under that bil the duty saved upon tobacco
would be $ cents pound FOR the main portion
OF the crop and for the wrappers s. s a pound
FREE TRADE WOULD BRING DISASTER
After consultation with General Davis the pres
Military Governor who las made a careful
study q the conditions in Puerto Rico. IL was
found mat this action would not produce sufficient
revenue 10 meet the expenses q TIE Government
He estimated that than 3 80 co could
be collected from both customs duties and Internal
revenue This would pay bare
expenses OF The G1Vernrii4nt. without appropriate
ing dollar for the public schOos roads Ths
substitute then brought forward which i'm
pCses duty equal 10 our Owu tarlC upon al
OF the United states. into Puerto Rico. and a duty
equal = per cent OF the rates OF our tari1r
laws al articles imported into Puerto Rico
from the United States or rom Puerto Rico into
the United States. The best estimates that can
D. % aimed show thar this viii produce a revenus
OF s.. 80 COZ from duties. which, added 70
the .nternal revenues Or me stand WI produce
8 so 0oo a sufficient 20 pay all The expenses
q The Government, tuclud ng the postal service
and also 81. ooo for the pub.ic schools The total
estimate Of General Davis for the expenditures "a
means a bankrupt treasury The substitute. sur
plus OF 500 600 which viii meet q the press
ing needs Tor the establishment OF common schOOls
The remission Of % per cent OF the duties On