The Van Buren press., 1900-03-31
Can Such Things Bet
From the Washington ID, C) Post,


We reproduce from the Washington
Evening Star. - Of yesterday, an ut
terance so remarkable, not to say
astounding, as to call for the most care
ful and vigilant inspection:
"'The action Of the Iowa legislature cannot
affect the situation In Congress The deal has
been made; II Is a matter OF money for the
through
member of the House who supported the bill In
You may as well set It down that the deal
Will be carried out he added. The carrying
out OF the recommendation Of the President for
- free trade with Puerto Rico would have deprived
the party of very considerable contribution ;
the adoption OF the reverse policy insures very
rus "The possible unpopuarity Of the Puerto
raj Rican tariff was balanced against the certainty
nj. Of money TO- use IN the campaign, and the de.
1t was not expected that the storm Of protest
would be as strong as 1t is but 1t Is now too late
for change F"
1t Is quite unnecessary to say to our
local readers that the Evening 'Star'
q not a yellow journal, or sensation
qger, or an irresponsible purveyor of
al and excitement II the Star
mo --as 1t does In this Instance
scanu "o1 Va oohs ie's has niaue .,'e
that n men, hat it speaks the truth.
statement ab, 'o,yvninR W lose anu
safe to assume !. Ssemihatlhg raise'
The Star has Q, upon our own
nothing to gain by d., 'oes not bear
hood-and we may ado, 'nsupport'
motion, that, the "Star' we are
the reputation of reckless orr that
ed statement We feel that tn
warranted, therefore, In assuming y
our esteemed contemporary speaks W.
knowledge and conviction when "
quotes-if anonymously-a member OF IN
the House as declaring that the Puerto nv
Rico tariff bill has been inspired by the ~
detestable and base purposes OF cam
paign fund. To say that is to say that
the Republican party is using the nd
ministration and the Congress rs the foot ~.
pad exploits the defenseless wayfarer- ~
| for mere plunder In the form of cash
We have frequently wondered and as ~
freuuently asked, what there Is behind IT
all this astonishing determination IN GU
Congress to afflict Puerto Rico with u eV
tariff. Unable to understand II our 81
selves. we have appealed to the country "
at large for nlightenment-for even ~
aupuestion. Every consideration OF 81
honor and good faith and justice de- -
mands that we should treat Puerto kico y, "
as the President eloquently indicated In ~
his message last Deoembsr. Almost g
without exception, the press especially 10
the Republican and the Independent ~
press-has supported this demand, And ~
now comes the Evening Star, ~ II u
to answer the almost passionate anxiety p
OF the country explaining In deliberate v
terms that the tariff against Puerto Rico "
has been devised-not for any purpose OF !
craftsmanship even In mistaken .
LOYALTY to national honor-not even TO 9
establish precedent In the public In q
terest-but simply and solely to placate '
certain corporations which VIII con
tribute handsomely to u party campaign
treasury nj,
II this be the case; " Puerto Rice. Is
, ! IN be sacrificed to the sordid uses OF
. political contest II these innocent ana
n trustful people, who welcomed us WIN
4 oman arms and conhded their destlnies
n 10 our honor and generosity, are TO De
immolated on the altar OF detestaole
Y and mean party emergency; ~ II be true
n flint the Republican Congress backed oy
A the Republican administration de-
q nberately intend TO trade upon tne
! misery and the helplessness OF people
n who have thrown themselves upon our
"a marcy. then we say--and we believe
y, That Inc country will make haste TO de-
= donnoe and TO condemn and TO rebuke
ID IN infamy 30 monstrous ana 10 'hoe
- fensible.