The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-14

between the island and the
continent, which President Mckinley
urged, would have been wiser and bet
ter for Puerto Rico and the better
precedent for the United States; but"
as the Philadelphia Press advisedly r.
marks, this is world of compromise,
concession and adjustment. 1t is, in
the long run and in the lasting effect,
wiser to get a reduction of duties
which can be passed and will be ac-
cepted without friction than to force a
reduction which will be challenge.
now, must estrange many sincere sup
porters of fair economic treatment soc
colonial dependencies and might be
upset in the future
The Press goes on to demonstrate
that under the rs per cent. discount
allowed in tariff charges to imports
from Puerto Rico the industries and
commerce of that island are likely 20
fare better than the industries and
commerce of any other West Indian
dependency, especially the British de :
pendency, Jamaica. This will be true
II the duties thus collected shall be
applied to meet the running expenses
of government in Puerto Rico, as Is
very properly proposed in the pending
legislation. Thus the duty levied at
American ports of import will be in
the nature of a direct tax on the pro-
ductive capacity Of the island for the
islands own benefit.
The senate bills scheme of govern
| ment for Puerto Rico is interesting in
| this general connection. The presi-
| dent is to appoint the governor OF the
| island and also secretary, an attoc-
ney general, treasurer, an auditor, a
commissioner of the interior and a
ficials, including the governor and five
other persons appointed by the presi-
dent, shall constitute an executive
council. at least five of when shall be
native inhabitants OF Puerto Rico. The
executive council forms one Of the
houses of a legislative assembly. the
other. house of delegates, being
elected by the people. Legislative and
executive authority is to ba exercised
as in this country. A property qualii-
cation Ownership of property in puer-
to Rico) is required of members Of the
house of delegates. All laws enacted
by the legislature are 70 b. report cd
to the congress of the United states
which reserves the power and author
ity to annul the same.
The legislative assembly is empow-
cred to establish municipal govern
ments, under a proviso that all grants
of franchises, rights anL privileges OF
concessions of a public or quasi public
nature shall be made by the executive
council, with the approval OF the gov
ernor, and subject also To III. approval
of the president. who snail report the
same to congress. The organization o:
the judiciary is similar % that of the
territories, appointments being made
by the president. The only limitations
upon the power of taxation are that
export duties shall not be levied, and
that no public indebtedness shall be
created exceeding 10 per rentum OF
the aggregate tax valuation of prop
erty. Puerto Rico is to send one dele.
gate to congress. entitled to a seat
but not to vote in that body. HI
must be a bona nd. inhabitant o
Puerto Rico, not less than 30 years o.
age. be able to read ard write thu
English language and lie possessed D
taxable property in his own right, sit
uated in Puerto Rico.
This is not 4 territorial form, a,
made familiar in our inland territories
but 1t is well calculated to provide op
portunities for tEe training Of tn,
Puerto Ricans in self .eovsrnmcnt.