The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-06-24
JUSTICE ro poRro RIco.

oASAttiAiiit tiic iNNSltt VI NNNNc VI
goods from Porto Rico are some SEN
tences which ought to be studied by
the people who are fond, without
knowledge, Of denouncing the admin
istration's treatment Of that island as
unjust. Among them is the deolara-
ton; 1T may be best for us not to
make its citizens fully our citizens;
1t may be more just toward 1t not to
subject It TO paying its share of taxa
ton. In the case OF Porto Rico. with
her tobacco and rum industries, such
share would probably be out Of all pro-
portion to that paid by other districts,
Unless We tax her for national pur-
poses there is no just claim on her
part for the protection Of The con-
stitutional provisions for uniform tax
alton"
II is TO be remembered that the idea
OF the constitution was 10 secure sub
stantial equality OF taxation for peo-
pie living on substantially the same
plane Of civilization. They did not fore
see our controlling a country so differ
entity situated that the imposition Of
our domestic tax laws might be an un-
bearahle burden. Such they might be,
for instance. in Porto Rico, where uni
form taxation for federal purposes
would take out Of the island by inter
nal revenue imposts probably three
times the amount that is now raised
there by the tariff law to be expended
purely for local purposes. As 1t is,
Porto Rico is not taxed at all for ma
tlonal purposes. but congress, acting
as the local legislature Of the island,
just as it is for the District Of Co.
lumbia and Alaska, has levied certain
imposts for domestic expenses instead
OF raising them by direct taxation. II
the opponents OF that legislation were
right in their constitutional theories 1t
would be wrong not to impose our in
ternal revenue taxes on Porto Rico for
federal purposes. but it would still be
constitutional to raise local funds in
addition. as congress is raising them.
So the constitution in Porto Rico would
simply mean greater burdens. Con-
gress can exercise discretion as TO the
means OF local taxation OF territory,
just as the state legislature can ex-
ercise discretion between a land and
an inheritance transfer tax in raising
state revenues. The constitutional rule
Of uniformity applies solely to levies
for federal purposes. Judge Townsend
That We have the power to govern
without the obligation Of uniform tax
alton may be an unfamiliar PROPOSE
ton. but it is Sc because We have new
er before had occasion to use the power
to the same extent. The constitution
makers may not have thought Of it,
Yet, as We have seen. 1t is an in
cident OF full sovereignty commonly
exercised at the time the Union was
which is now prohibited to
the state, and so must have passed
TO the federal government with the
power TO make war and treaties to
which 1t is incident. For the trainers
Of the constitution intended that in
5trument not as a limitation upon the
freedom Of the new sovereign in act
Ing for the state in foreign affairs;
not as a check to growth, but as the
organic law Of nation that can live
and grow. To deny this power to gov
ern territory at arms length would be
to thwart that intention to make the
United States an unfettered sovereign
In foreign affairs. For IL we wage
war successfully we must some time
become, as many think We are now,
charged with territory which 1t would
be the greatest folly TO incorporate at
1nce into our Union, making our laws
It's laws. its citizens our citizens, our
axes its taxes, and which, on the other
land. international considerations and
he sense Of our responsibility to its
may forbid US 10 aban- |
lon"
This sets forth clearly the dilemma |
If those who proclaim the old Calhoun |
doctrine Of the limits Of federal pow
+. Il shows how. if they are right, |
We never can own a coaling station or
AXE limited possession Of some savage
community to protect life and property |
without completely absorbing it and its
people into the United States. It makes
he proteetorate which many Of them |
iay we should offer the Filipinos i'm
possible. and gives us only the alter |
native Of abandoning them entirely to
lnarchy or Immediately making them
American citizens. 1t may even be
Questioned on that theory If Cuba is
lot part Of the United States, for its
tatus otherwise is purely matter Of
reaty, and so far as foreign nations
ire concerned it is absolutely subject
o the United States. Unless this gov