The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-27

Secretary Gage said he would speak espe-
cially of the arrangement for Porto Rico's
revenues, declaring that until a competent
authority decided whether the Constitution
carried by it's own force to all acquired
possession of the United States the right
of free trade with 1t, a course Of wise ex-
pediency must be followed. Secretary
Gage said revenue must be provided for
the island and continued:
"Ninety-five per cent. of her people are
in great poverty, but there are perhaps 5
per cent-the percentage is arbitrary-who
own valuable productive land worth under
depressed conditions from 500 to $500 per
acre. The duty laid upon importation Of
lands is equal to Is per cent. OF the duty
laid on similar products coming from Cuba
or other competing producers. This duty
Is about equal to Z per cent. of the market
stantially an indirect tax upon the produc-
tive lands Of Porto Rico, a tax which the
land owners can we'll afford to pay. Unless
all taxation is robbery. there appears no
good reason in the nature Of things why
the Porto Rican possessors OF wealth
should not make this contribution for the
protection of their property and the great
support of the civil state. The amount thus
or to us-since all the machinery is in ex-
~istence, is all turned back into Porto Rico
to be expended in its behalf by the admin
istation government.
"In like manner there is to be levied and
collected in Porto Rico a customs duty on
articles not now placed on the free list
equal TO Is per cent. Of the Dingley tariff
when such goods come from the United
States and the full Dingley rates when such
goods come from other than American
ports are imposed. All moneys SO col
lected are likewise TO be held and used for
the government and benefit of Porto Rico.
customs duties by the Dingley law, is
made subject to a duty of 5 cents per
pound when imported into Porto Rico.
THE act provides further that goods
brought from Porto Rico into the United
States. subject here to excise tax, shall pay
such tax before going into consumption, as
If they were American goods put into the
market, but mark this distinction, the
into our treasury, but shall be held In
trust for the internal use of the island.
For a similar privilege New York. Illinois
and many other States would be glad TO
pay millions of dollars to our national gov
eminent. If the nancia arrangement for
the protection and temporary relief OF
Porto Rico ended here, 1t would still have
TO be admitted that the provision made
was considerable, even generous. but IL does
not end here. There are further conces-
sions.
Compared with the benefits conferred
on Porto Rico through the legislative ac-
tlOn which l. nav tIltu O-tApidli the Sill
pie privilege of freedom OF trade between
the island and the United States appears TO
be insignificant In value.
ut is TO be carefully noted that these
provisions are temporary. not permanent.
The law provides that whenever the legis-
lative assembly of Porto Rico shall nave
enacted and put into operation a system OF
local taxation to meet the necessities of
the government Of Porto Rico by this act
established. and shall by resolution, duly
passed, so notify the President OF the
United States he shall make proclamation
thereof and thereupon all tarin duties on
merchandise and articles going into Porto