Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-31
Senator Fairbanks Addresses Sen
ate on the Subject
FAvORs TARIFF CLAUSE.
IL IL Against the sugar aud Tobacco
Trusts, Who Favor Free Trade
other Arguments.
Afternoon pIspatehes.l

Washington, March Si.-In the dis
cusslon on the Puerto Rican tariff bill
in the Senate today Senator Fairbanks
said In part.
Whether the Constitution extends
automatically to a territory acquired
has been a much debated question. d.
vergent views have been and VIII be
sharply entertained upon the subject
Such differences Of opinion viii con-
tinue until she Supreme Court shall de-
termine the question. It's supreme
Judgment viii be accepted by the coun-
try. Until It shall interpret the power
Of Congress under the Constitution. the
Congress should reserve TO itself the
widest possible liberty, the amplest dis
erection in dealing with the problems
and conditions which are now facing US.
THE greatest danger in dealing with
the new problems which engage our at
tention Is In undue haste. inconsiderate
action There will be no difficulty IN
solving them II we will be content TO
act only upon ample information and
be willing TO retrace our steps II we go
wrong.
Mr.. Fairbanks presented in detail In
teresting information regarding Puerto
Rico It's people It's trade, its commerce
and lie production He showed that
the estimated revenue from the 10 per
cent duty on the basis Of last years
commerce would be SSOi,l56
Every dollar Is to be faithfully dedi-
Gated 70 the benefit Of the Puerto "
cans. he said. Not cent Is TO be re-
tained and used for the benefit Of the
United States. And yet are those on
the opposite side Of the chamber who
challenge the imposition as II & were
] conceived In an ungenerous spirit and
for an unholy purpose.
"The statement has been frequently
| made that the duties were modified and
| imposed at the dictation OF the sugar
| and tobacco trusts. Let US briefly an
| alyze the situation. The interest OF the
trusts-if interest they have-is limited
10 the two articles-sugar and tobacco
which are exported @ the United states
The sugar trust, We are advised, Il
| interested chiefly, II not exclusively, n
the refining OF sugar. The least obser'
want mind must perceive that II Is in
terested In the absolute free admission
OF raw sugar and that II IL in the very
nature Of things opposed 10 the imposi'
ton OF any duty whatever II is lncon
celyable that II would advocate the I'm
position OF duty upon It's raw product
so as to increase the price thereof Z
itself unless We attribute 20 Il less sa
gacity than II is supposed 70 possess.
What Is said with respect to the
sugar trust applies with equal force e
the tobacco trust. The removal OF. tht
entire duty and the restricted FREE
trade would undoubtedly meet with lts
cordial and enthusiastic approval
For one, | would regard myself
recreant 10 the trust committed 10 me
and false 10 the best interests OF th'
people Of the United States, II did no
by my vote compel these trusts, and
their allied interests, 20 pay some par
Of maintaining the Puerto Rlcan gov
eminent which they DO pay under tn
duty upon their raw products, rathe
than Increase the direct taxes upon tn
people In the island. or In the alterna
tive. appropriate Il from the treasury o
the United States
1--WE rest the justification Of the pend
ing bill upon the broad and slmpl
proposition that II is the duty OF Con
gress TO provide revenue for the terri
tory belonging 10 IL, and 20 provide /
in a Just and equitable manner. Their
Is no power save and except Congress
which can legislate for Puerto Rico. !
Is entirely within the competence o
Congress to burden them. but TO do s.
would be In contravention OF the geniu
OF our institutions and contrary to IN
wishes OF the Congress and the people
MIR. McComas had read a recen
statement Of Mr.. Havemeyer presiden
Of the American Sugar Refining Co., 4
which he argued In favor OF the FIRE
admission to the United States OF suga
from Puerto Rico. and expressed I'll
belief that the time would come 500
when Il would be admitted free. MI
McComas adverted sarcastlctally 10 tn
agreement upon the Puerto Rlcan ques
! ton. which he said Mr., Havemeyer an
Mr.. Allen were In. When that sectlo
OF the bin relating TO the legislative as
sembly OF Puerto Rico was reached, Nj
Pettus (Ala) offered this amendmen,
b THAT the legislative assembly G
, Puerto Rico shall have no power or au
, thorlty 10 enact any law In conflict wit
! the Constitution Of the United States.
? The amendment was lost. IL 20 81.