The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-02-20
Strong Speech by Representative
Payne FayOring the Bill.
USUAL DEMOCRATICNEGATIyE
Adequate Revenue for the Island Cas-
not be Obtained Without Re-
course to the Custom House.

WASHINGTON Feb 19.-The debate
upon the Porto Rican tariff bin which
is 10 continue throughout the week
and possibly longer. opened in the
house today.
on all hands Il Is agreed that this
bill, although Il applies only to Porto
Rico. involving as II does the question
OF power TO govern our new possessions
outside OF the limitations Of the consti-
tuition. Is the most important measure
which Will come before this congress.
Interest In the bill is intense among
the members on both sides and there
is urgent demand for time. The demo-
Gratis are solldly arrayed against the
measure and they will have powerful
support from the republican side In
Mccall rep, Of Massachusetts, and
LittIeneld rep), of Maine, both able
and forceful debaters.
How far the republican disaffection
will extend or whether 1t will endanger
the bill 1t is impossible to say at this
time
Representative Payne, the chairman
Of the ways and means committee and
republican floor leader, opened the de-
bate. He said in part:
Incident 10 the late war with Spain
was the invasion Of Porto Rico. From
the moment that the American army
sets its foot on Porto Rico soil the
people seemed to receive them in dem
onstrations OF joy and the flag Of the
United States received with delight.
Whatever difference there may have
been as to the policy of annexing the
Philippine islands, know OF no oppo-
sitIon anywhere to the annexation Of
this gem Of the Antilles.
This bill by its terms relates only
to the. island of Porto Rico II cannot
be taken as a precedent Of any legis-
lative action in reference to the Phil
lppine islands when the present insur-
rection shall have been overcome ex-
cept, insofar as we assert in Il our
view OF our power under the American
constitution.
All dNAtN AidA Aiit illSN anu lHpSl liil-
portant duty We owe to the people of
Porto Rico is to open up markets for
them. In no other way can we allay
the feeling of discomfort likely to
arise among a people who have real
lied so little in the change from Span
ish oppression of four hundred years to
the prosperity and liberty which fol-
lows the American flag.
'The original bill introduced on the
9TH day of January last, provided that
the customs laws of the United States
and the internal revenue laws be ex-
tended 10 Porto Rico. The idea was
TO give the producer of sugar the free
entrance of this staple into the United
States saving duty OF over $50 ton.
Under that bill the duty saved upon
tobacco would be S5 cents per pound for
the main portion OF the crop and for
the wrapper Sl.S5 per pound.
After consultation with General
Davis. the present military governor,
who made 4 careful study of the con-
ditions in Porto Rico. 1t was found that
this action would not produce sufficient
revenue TO meet the expenses of the
government He estimated that not
more than n million dollars could be
collected from both customs duties
and internal revenue tax. This sum
would not pay the bare expenses of
the government without appropriating
dollar for the public schools or
roads. The substitute was then brought
forward, which imposes a duty equal I
to our own tariff upon all articles i'm I
ported from abroad. other than those I
of the United States, into Porto Rico, !
and duty equal to Is Der cent of the .
rates of our own tariff laws on all ar
fiplRC inNnnrfal into Dnpfn
the United States or from Porto Rico .
into the United States. The best es-
Inmates that can be obtained show
that this will produce revenue of ST.
10000 from customs, which added to
the internal revenues of the islands will
produce s2.5O00OO, sum sufficient to
pay all the expenses of the govern
ment. including the postal service and
also $3250OO for the public schools. The
total estimate OF General Davis for the
expenditures is S1,950.00V. The original
bill, therefore, ii would seem, means
a bankrupt treasury; the substitute a
surplus of S5OO,OO0 which will meet
some of the pressing needs for he es-
,ablishment Of common schools. The
remission of 70 per centum of the du-
ties on sugar and tobacco which are
new paid, means an annual increase of
income to these people of S2,S0O.oOO.
This means the lifting of mortgage
from many small plantation, better
wages for the laborers, more money in
and greater general pros
perlty. 1t means hope instead of des-
pair. 1t means encouragement TO the
other agriculturists who will be stimu-
lated by the prosperity Of their neigh
bors, to restore their own broken for
tunes.
THAT the income under this bill will
Increase from year to year there can
be no doubt: that 1t will restore pros
perity and give new life and enterprise
10 the people of this island Is equally
true. This win open up new channels
N direct taxation without proving a
burden TO the people and the time will
not be far distant when public i'm
all over the island will be
complete and schoolhouse establish
ID In every community beneath the
'olds of the American flag
"Nor win this bill injure any inter-
,sts In the United States. with sugar I
It % per cent of the present duties
he beet sugar industry will still grow
IND prosper; forty thousand tons {
'ear ago. and 100000 tons this year, il