Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-09

year of Spanish rule on the island had cost
the inhabitants.
about $4,000, co.," replied Mr.. Foraker.
And 1t was expended as only Spaniards
can expend money that comes to them in
that way"
Mr.. Gallinger interjected the remark that
1T was proposed to expend S1,O00oOO for
school houses on the island and like sum
for the construction of roads.
Yes" continued Mr.. Foraker, 1--WE pro-
pose to do that, and we propose in that con-
nection to provide the inhabitants with re-
munerative labor and employment"
Continuing. the Ohio senator said that
after all means of raising revenues had
been considered 1t was found necessary to
provide at least S1,00O,00O more per annum.
Then it was proposed to levy duty of %
Per cent of the Dingley law IN products Of
the island imported into this country, and
to turn the amount SO raised back to Porto
Rico.
A Direct Donation.
1.-THE senator admits" said Mr. Davis, in
terrupting, that this handing back of reve-
nues to political subdivision of the United
States is unprecedented. Then why not
raise the revenue. as usual. and, if neces-
sary to relieve distress in Porto Rico, pro-
vide relief by direct appropriation from
the United States treasury
THE United States has never undertaken
to support local government in any ter
L
tiGn in Porto Rico is anomalous. II the
island is to have schools, good roads and
public improvements. it must get them
through taxation, and such taxation as is
proposed in this bill
What effect is a gratuity of this kind"
inquired Mr.. Davis, "a gratuity which
places the inhabitants in the status of
mendicants, going to have upon the people
of Porto Rico? 1t seems to me direct appro-
priations for their needs would be much to
be preferred
This is a great emergency" replied Mr..
Foraker. I'VE cannot depend upon such
appropriations the senator suggests.
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 committee thoroughly con-
sidered that matter and decided that 1t
would be better to adopt the provisions Of
this bill, uneXampled in their generosity
and hberality."
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 tobacco
trusts. If this was true, he said the i'm
position of the tariff proposed would fall
upon those we'll able to bear it. and to con-
tribute at least that much to the suffering
Porto RicanS.
Constitutional Right.
Mr. Foraker became involved in a col
loquy with Mr. Hoar as to the constitu-
tional right of Congress to levy a duty
on products from territory of the United
States, in which the Ohio senator declared
that the provisions of the Constitution re-
ferred to had no application in the case of
Porto Rico.
Mr.. Hoar continued to press the point
and Mr.. Foraker finally declared that the
question in point had passed beyond the
law-book stage and had become of
justice and humanity.
Mr.. Hoar. THAT is the senator's an
swer?"
mo. it is not retorted Mr.. Foraker
warmly. II answered the senator's ques-
ton. and the persistency with which the
senator presses it shows that he does not
want to accept the answer. l might stand
here and quote decisions of the Supreme
Court until the last Porto Rican had starry
ed, and it would have no effect upon SEN
ators who differed from me. This conten-
ton has been going on for two years, and
1t will have to be determined ultimately by
the Supreme Court. The nature of the pro-
visions of this bill make it inevitable that
the Supreme Court will soon have to de-
termine the question. Then we shall have
a settlement of the question to which we
all will bow"
Open Door in Philippines.
Mr.. Foraker discussed the probability
that this government would be asked by
other powers for an open door in the Phil
ippines, and declared that it was an i'm
portant and perhaps imminent contingency
of which account would have to be taken
Mr.. Tillman wanted to know why we
must grant concessions to foreign nations
IN the philippines in return for an open
door to China.
Mr. Foraker replied that this country
was under no obligations except a moral
one. We want trade in the orient and
after We have demanded an entrance to
China, we must grant one in the Philip
pines.
He thought the Philippines could not be
dealt with as 1t was proposed to deal with
Porto Rico.
Then Mr.. TfIlman asked. ..what be-
comes OF your contention of philanthropy
Of national glory, of the humanitarian as
pect?"
There is an easy answer to that" re-
sponded Mr. Foraker. land the senator
cannot accomplish anything by ridicule in
that direction We want the point settled
now that we may know where we stand"
MI Illlman-"Then the contention is that
we can take Porto Rico under our wing
and protect her to the utmost. but that we
cannot do the same thing for the PhiIin
pines?'
The Presidents Attitude
Continuing, he asked why the President
had originally recommended free trade with
Porto Rico and the House had brought in
bill TO that end, only changing its course of
policy after hearing from Mr. Oxnard. the
sugar king
Replying. Mr.. Foraker referred Mr. Till
~ AAiH OtS"SuS NlidHlldl am not
the keeper of the Presidents confidence 7
have no doubt. however, that the President
spoke from his highest conviction and best
sentiment No doubt he would prefer free
trade with Porto Rico. as l should. but he
probably knows more now than he knew.
when he promulgated that message and
knowing more. il is mis- duty as a man and
as an official to change bis recommended
ton"
Mr.. Tillman drew the inference from these
and other remarks that it was the purpose
To mold to the theory of protection regard
less Of the plea of philanthropy and other
questions of that character.
Mr.. Foraker denied that there was any