The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-29
A PBRNICIOUS MOCKERY
Senator Davis Opinion Of the Porto
Rican Tariff Proposition.
He Opposes the Bill and Argues in
the Island an Internal Revenue
DIstrict-Thc Free Coinage Amend
mcnt of Mr.. Morgan Rejected.

The House bill temporarily TO provide
revenues for the Island of Porto Rico was
taken up in the Senate as the unfinished
business yesterday. A vote was taken on
the free coinage amendment offered on
Tuesday by Mr. Morgan, and it was re-
jected-yeas, Is: nays SO. Mr.. Davis then
addressed the Senate in opposition to the
tariff provision of the b H. and in support
Of his amendment making Porto Rico an
internal revenue district.
In beginning his remarks he said that
in view of the fact that an early date has
been set for a fnal vote on the bill he
would omit a discussion of the consutu-
tional questions involved. 1t cannot be
denied, he declared, that from the time
that the Is per cent of existing tariff rates
was proposed in the House there had been
a rising tide of opposition to it
1t was not a protest on the part Of mem
bers of one political party-it was not on
party lines. 1t came from every walk of
life, and was communicated through every
avenue of thought. 1t was based upon the
principle that there should be an unre-
strained freedom of commercial intercourse
between Porto Rico and the United States
He called attention to the fact that ne
had given notice that morning Jf two
amendments to the bill, but said he would,
at that time. mention only one of them,
which provided that Porto Rico shall be
made an internal revenue district.
No stamp tax was to be levied in that
district, but 10 per cent of the present
internal revenue tariff rates were to be
imposed. With the exception of distilled
spirits and tobacco on which no internal
revenue taxes were to be levied in Porto
Rico there should be free trade between
the island and the United States, and the
bill should continue in force until the
1st of March. 1902. Why. he asked, should
We insist upon a tariff in a bill which by
its own terms is to expire in less than
two years? 1t would be far better. lie de-
clared. to let all things alone and let
existing conditions continue.
The utmost disspproval of the House
bill had come from a large majority OF
the people of the United States, and the
declaration of the representative men of
Porto Rico was that they would be con-
tent with an internal revenue system ap-
plying tas it would TO great extent) to
distilled spirits. AS far as protection to
American labor and industry was con-
cerned, Mr.. Davis asked what protection
would be given by the levying of 10 per
cent of the existing tariff rates
There are. he said. two subjects of sci
entifc taxation on which all enlightened
nations raised most of their revenue-dis-
titled spirits and tobacco; and yet under
the House bill these subjects would re-
main absolutely untaxed in Porto Rico.
Their taxation would relieve the situation
SO much in every way that he would be
surprised if it did not commend itself to
the Senate. j
In my judgment" Mr.. Davis declared
IN conclusion, the only course that csn
be logically or wisely pursued under pres
ent conditions is TO abandon this perni-
cious mockery Of tariff between Porto
Ricu and the United States and to return
to the path of plain duty