The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-14

MIR. Jones Did Not Know.

the Democratic national committee and
Democratic leader in the senate, has
been confronted with the record. that
when the Puerto Rico bill was under
consideration in the senate ne intro
duced an amendment proposing that all
the duties collected from Puerto Rican
products be refunded to the parties who
had paid those duties. lie is also in
that the effect OF the amendment which
he proposed would have been to take
from the treasury OF the United states
the sum Of 81, SOC, 900 and pay 1t over to
the American Sugar Refining Company.
otherwise known as the sugar trust.
Mr.. Jones admits that the money would
have gone as stated. and his defense is
that he did not know who would be the
benefciaries OF the legislation he pro-
posed. and he further intImates that he
did not care.
Mr.. Jones' defense is an accusation Of
himself and of his followers and party
associates In both houses Of congress
They did not know. Why? Because
they did not care to inform themselves,
knowledge Is what they strenuously
Dvoided, for with full knowledge they
could not have kept from themselves
the fact that all the premises upon
which they were basIng their arguments
were false. The Democratic members
Of congress. Mr. Jones included, had
been braying for weeks that the sugar
trust was urging the imposition OF
duty upon Puerto Rico sugar. They did
not know that the sugar trust was pay
ing all the duties upon Puerto Rico SUI
gar imported into this country, as 1t Is
practically the only purchaser of raw
sugar. They did not know that the
sugar trust was the one concern In
the country which had direct per-
sonal interest in having free trade in
Puerto Rican sugar. They did not know
this. because they did not want to know
IT,
Common sense would have taught any
ono who cared 20 exercise his reasoning
powers that the sugar trust would be
the beneficiary Of free trade and a note
OF Inquiry 20 the treasury department
would have brought instant Information
20 senator Jones as to the exact amount
Of duties the trust had paid and how
much II would have received from the
federal treasury as a donation. had his
amendment become a law. The facts
were known 10 the Republican members
OF congress, they were stated repeatedly
in debate In both houses. and " was on
fun knowledge Of the facts that the
Puerto Rican bill was framed. But Mr.
Jones aud his party associates refused
90 listen, and reiterated their ridiculous
charge that the sugar trust was be
hind the proposed tarifr Now. his ex-
euse Il that they did not know. Prob
ably the Democratic attitude on most
OF the great questions before congress
has the same Justification.
Mr.. Jones can be acquitted of any real
intention 20 have nearly two million
dollars given to the sugar trust in
s,ead of It's going according 10 the Re
publican programme TO the relief OF the
starving IN Puerto Rico. lie know that
his proposed amendment would never
pass. IL was got introduced in good
faith. Its sole purpose was 10 clog ana
delay FMS action on the important bill
before the senate. It's Introduction was
typical az the Democratic attitude on
an OF the great questions which arr
before the country and congress for set
Element. The Democratic programme is
obstruction. ana nothing more Not a
single honest attempt has been made
on that side to lend any AID toward the
solution OF problems In which the inter
ests OF the whole country are deeply IN
yclyed. Not a single definite aud con-
crete proposal for dealing with any q
these questions has come from them.
They simply are acting rs drass on the
ear Of progress. Their sole idea OF
aheir duties as representatives IN con-
sre>. y to eudsavor TO delay. check or