Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-08
PUERTO RICO.

The Puerto Rican tariff bill even as
modified by the House. IS meeting with
opposition BY all parties. The slgni-
hcanee OF such opposition win no doubt
be appreciated IN Washington, and the
bill has therefore but little chance Of
passing the Senate aad the Executive.
The explanation that tariff Of 10
per cent OF the Dingley hill IL no bur-
den. and that the entire income Is to
be spent for the benefit OF the islanders
themselves has not reconclled the op-
ponents OF the measure to It. They
maintain that. as a matter OF princi-
pie, they are opposed TO the establish
mSnt OF tariff between the different
parts OF the United States.
The great majority OF the American
people do remember that our armies
went out 10 free the Puerto Ricans
from Spanish oppression; they remem-
Der that there was great rejoicing in
the island. when our flag was holsted
IN the place Of the Spanish colors;
they hold that the people were prom
Used the privileges Of equal rights with
American citizens, and now. they de-
mand that these promises shall be kept.
1t Is repugnant TO their sense OF JUS
tlce that the helpless island population
shall be kept IN Industrial ana CON-
mereial servitude under the emblem Of
liberty and the attempt at imposing a
discriminating tariff is therefore Great.
Ing a great STIR
The free trade amendment offered by
Senator Davis Of Minnesota, coupled
with the provision that the Consttu-
tion be extended over Puerto Rico
seems TO have struck a popular chord.
His amendment provides:
For the purposes Of this act the
following provisions Of the Constitu-
ton OF the United States are hereby
extended and made applicable to Puerto
Rico.
The Congress shall have power to
lay and collect taxes. duties, imposts
and excuses, 20 pay the debts and pro-
vide for the common defense and gen.
eral welfare OF the United states. but
all duties lmposts and excuses shall be
uniform throughout the United States
"'No capitatlon or other direct tax
shall be laid, unless in proportion to
the census or enumeration herelnbefore
directed 10 be taken.
This would put the island under the
protection OF tho Constitution. The fol-
lowing clauses would give the Puerto
Rioans free trade;
And 1t Is hereby enacted that all
duties, imposts, excuses imposed or
levied, laid or collected byi Congress
upon Puerto Rico, or any products or
business thereof or In relation to said
Puerto Rico. shall be uniform with all
duties, imposts and excuses laid and
collected throughout the United States
THAT no other capitatlon or other d.
rect tax shall be laid by Congress in
or upon Puerto Rico unless In proper
ton 10 the census or enumeration d.
reCted to be taken by the Constitution.
THAT no tax or duty shall be laid on
articles exported from Puerto Rico.
That no preference shall be given by
any regulation OF commerce or revenue
10 the ports Of Puerto Rico over those
Of any State OF the Union, nor shah
vessels bound 10 or from Puerto Rico
be obliged 10 enter, clear or pay duties
In any State Of the Union.
Nor shall any preference be given
by any regulation OF commerce or rev.
enue 10 the ports OF any State OF the
Union over those OF Puerto Rico, nor
shall vessels bound 10 or from the ports
Of any State IN the Union be obliged to
enter, clear or pay duties In any pert
OF Puerto Rico"
The outcome OF the battle for Puerto
Rico is Of immense importance. 1t will
create presidents one way or the other
for the United States policy with re-
gard TO other island possessions.