The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-09

q practical party. It deals with questions
as they arise. Porto Rico is an island
LOO miles from our shores. She Is about
four times the size OF this county Of
Wayne. yet Is the most densely inhabited
spot In proportion TO size on the face. OF
the earth There is not a schoolhouse up
on that island. not a road worthy OF the
name: nine out OF ten natives are unable
TO read or write; eight out of ten of them
have never had shoes or their feet. The
fearful hurricane hat swept over that fair
and beautiful island destroyed three
fourths of the coffee plantations. and the
coffee Industry constituted 90 per cent.
OF the business OF that island.
After President McKinley's message
went to Congress there arose the question
how to provide for the needs OF the people
Of Porto Rico?' There were four propo-
sitions considered by a conference COM
posed OF the recognized leaders Of
the Republican party Of the Nation.
lCheersl The first proposition was a gen.
eral one. viz: How are we to raise this
money! Direct taxation upon the people
was not deemed expedient or just. They
were not able to stand 1t. II was found
that s10.000.Oo could be borrowed upon the
island at Z per cent. interest, but such a
hardship would hamper the present con-
diticn OF the island and hinder its future
welfare Then the suggestion was made.
vote the money out of the treasury of the
United States This was not the proper
thing The Nation has taken Porto Rico
under her wing; she desires and intends
- 80 ~ a1A ~ W ~ EA1 R&OBAC
or the Island, but she cannot carry them
always. The islanders must be taught
seif-reliance. Then came the final propo-
sition of imposing the tariff upon the prod
ucts OF the island. An emergency must
be get and the leaders OF the party had
TO meet 10 with courage. II was proposed
10 impose this tariff or tax upon sugar and
tobacco-upon that class of producers
who are amply able to afford IL. There are
from 1900. 900 to 5000. 900 pounds of tobacco
In the warehouses of Porto Rico to-day
and the thousands Of tons OF sugar. The
money derived from the tax upon the pro-
ducers of these two articles goes straight
back TO the islanders and is to be used for
their benefit. tCheers.l
But what was the matter with the bill?
] am free TO say that many Of us, for I
was one OF the number, believed that there
was a conflict between the President and
the ways and means committee, because
mckinley, In his message. had recommend
ed free trade. 1t was discovered at al
most the last moment that the measure
was one OF the administration; one that
leaders OF the Republican party of the
United States and our trustworthy leader,
William. Mckinley. When I found that
president Mckinley was behind this meas
are: when j discovered that the leaders
Of the party. whose honesty cannot be
questioned. were supporting it; and when /
realized that the opposition of the most
bitter sort was being waged by the solid
democracy, l made up my mind that /
could not array myself on the side of the
opposition to the President and the gall
liant leaders of the party and 1 voted for
the bill. prolonged cheering. The en-
tire audience rose to its feet and cheered
Watson. He was unable TO continue for
several minutes.l / thought 1 did the right
thing by standing by President Mckinley
and the party in voting for a measure in
such an emergency" More cheering.l
MI Watson closed by touching lightly
on The general issues of the campaign,
and making a comparison of the attitudes
or the Republican and Democratic parties
toward them He was warmly cheered at