The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-03-06
DAVIS AMENDMENT
A Sign that Some Of the Republicans
Hear the People,
WOULD EXTEND CONSTITUTION
Over Puerto Rico and Give that De.
tendency Free Trade.
BUT THE BILL WILL BE PASSED.
The Trusts Have Commanded II and the
Republicans Are Desperate.
IT WILL AID IN THE DEFEAT OF MKlNIEY
Ills Party Has 0vcrpInyed Its Hama
and This the People Per-
ceivc Already.
BUT THE BILL WILL BE PASSED.
The Trusts Have Commanded II and the
Republicans Are Desperate.
IT WILL AID IN THE DEFEAT OF M'KINIEY
Especial to The Post.y

Especial to The Post.l
Washington, March 5--The Puerto
Rican tariff bill is now the bogy man OF
the republican party. Senator Davis Of
Minnesota TO-DAY introduced an amend
ment to the bill granting absolute free
trade to Puerto Rico Senator Davis is re-
cognized here as one OF the administra-
ton leaders and his amendment is sug-
gestive aud significant, 1t means that
eral outhurst of dsapproval from the re-
publican press all over the country. Is
taking a backward step and practically
admitting the crime that was committed
in Offering and pressing this bill In the
lower house. In introducing this amend
ment Senator Davis tried to palliate the
mistake that was made by saying that
while the congress of the United States
had right to override and ignore the
constitution OF the United States in MAX
ing a tariff for Puerto Rico. yet in the
fullness of their generosity they desired
to ignore this prerogative and return 10
the Puerto Ricans the full measure OF all
the tariff that might be collected against
them and their product7 under this pend
ing bill.
This simply shows that the republican
party is badly scared at the cyclone Of
Indignation at the action of the house
of representatives last week in passing
this outrageous and iniquiteus bill. 1t
shows that that party has come to a real
izlng sense of the enormity of its crime
and scents political danger in the dis
lance.
While this is true. there seems to be
no doubt of the passing Of the bill through
the senate, carrying 10 or 25 per cent
tariff laid against all Puerto Rican
products. This will be done in sheer des-
peration by the republican party, not
only as an act of bravado but in obe-
dience TO the behests OF the tobacco and
sugar trusts.
In the opinion not only OF democratic
leaders but OF the conservative republic
can leaders, this will seal the fate of the
republicans in the next house, and in all
probability that of Mckinley. In its.aub-
serviency to the trusts at this juncture
the republican party has overplayed Its
hand and returned the people to power
Washington, March 5.--Senator Davi'
the Puerto Rican bill in the senate. Its
effect is 20 have the tariff laws Of tn,
United States apply to Puerto Rico upoI
foreign imports but allows absolute fret
trade between the United States am
Puerto Rico. He also proposes nov
section, as follows:
For the purpose OF this act the fol
lowing provisions of the Constitution o
the United States are hereby extende,
and made applicable to Puerto Rico
The congress shall have power to la
and collect taxes, duties. imposts and ex
cises, to pay the debts and provide 70
the common defense and general welfar'
of the United States but all duties i'm
; posts and excuses shall be uniforr
throughout the United States.
: No capita or other direct tax shall b
laid unless in proportion to the censu
or enumeration herenbefors directed t
/ be taken.
, No tax or duty shall be given by an
regulation Of commerce or revenue
Puerto Ricans of one state over thos
of another; nor shall vessels bound to o
! from one State be obliged to enter, cIea
or pay duties In another.
Is hereby enacted that all duties, i'm
posts and excuses, imposed or levied, lai
or collected by congress upon Puerto Ric
0 or any products or business thereof O
g in relation to said Puerto Rico shall b
4 uniform with all duties or lmposts an
excuses collected throughout the Unite
, States.
That no caphation or other direct Ia
1 shall be laid by congress in or upo
Puerto Rico unless in proportion to th
census or enumeration directed to
taken by the Constitution.
/ That no tax or duty shall be laid o
articles exported from Puerto Rico.
That no preference shall be given /
, any regulation OF commerce or revenu
TO the ports OF Puerto Rico over those
any State OF the Union nor shall vesse
bound to or from Puerto Rico be obligs
to enter, clear or pay duties in any Sta
Z of the Union.
! Nor shall any preference be given /
E any regulation Of commerce or reven,
! to the ports OF any State Of the Unic
Q over those OF Puerto Rico; nor shall We
sells hound to or from the ports OF Al