The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-15

of Puerto Rico on the articles they ex-
port to Puerto Rico.
Now, Mr.. Eddy. there are the candid
answers to your questions, which the
@ o b 9 trusts are asked by you in ali
good faith.
And now. Mr.. Eddy. having dealt thus
openly and freely with you on your own
ground, the g o b 9 seizes upon the op-
portunity you have thus generously sf-
forded to ask OF you several questions.
In the hope that you will answer them
as candidly and with as little equivoca-
ton as your questions are here an
swered.
First, Mr.. Eddy. Is 1t not fact that
President Mckinley in a message to
congress. recommended free trade with
Puerto Rico?
Second, Is 1t not a fact that Secretary
of War Root recommended free trade
with Puerto Rico?
Third, is it not fact that Gov. Davis,
of Puerto Rico, recommended free trade
between the United States and Puerto
Rico?
and means committee OF the house OF
representatives introduced a bill provid-
ing for free trade with Puerto Rico7
Fifth. have President Mckinley, Secre-
tary Root or Gov Davis at any time Of
f1clally indicated to congress that they
| have changed their opinions or positions
| as to free trade with Puerto Rico?
Why have the Republican members OF
the house of representatives. with few
notable exceptions, changed front on this
Puerto Rico measure. and, from being In
favor Of free trade. changed over and
voted for the imposition of tariff?
At whose solicitation was this change
of front made2
! Has any section of the United States
| demanded or peitioned for the imposi-
| ton of duties on imports and exports be-
tween the United States and Puerto
| Rico?
Have the people OF any part OF the
United States protested against the pas
sage of a bill providing for free trade
! with Puerto Rico?
| If 1t is true, you claim. that the
| trusts were opposed to the tariff and that
free trade is in their interests, why did
| you not favor the imposition of the full
| duties under the Dingley bill. instead of
| only 10 per cent thereof?
| Does not the imposition OF even a is
| per cent tariff give the tobacco and sugar
| trusts an undue advantage by throwing
all imports into the customs house and
| bonded warehouses of Eastern seaports,
| and surrounding such imports with a
barbed wire fence Of red tape, detrimen-
tai to the merchants of the West? And
is not this just what the trusts wanted ?
Is 1t customary for the lobbyists of the
trusts, when they undertake to fight a
measure in congress, to hire brass band
and searchlights?
Does the constitution Of the United
States prohibit free trade between the
United States and any part OF its possess
sions or with any foreign country?
And, lastly, Mr.. Eddy. do you think
your vote on the Puerto Rican bill was
in accordance with the wishes and opin-
tons of your constituents Of the Seventh
congressional district Of Minnesota? If
not. whose wishes and opinions was 1t in
accord with. and whom do you represent
in congress?
The G l be knows that congressman
are always busy. and that answering cor
respondence forms not inconslderable
part Of their labors; but. II Mr.. Eddy
can possibly spare the time. 1t hopes that
he will answer categorically the ques-
lions asked above.