The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-04-25

duce the DIngiey rates only 50 per cent.
You hear constantly OF our putting on
commerce with Puerto Rico a tarin OF
Is per cent, when the truth is we re-
moved all but Is per cent. We did not
add or increase, but reduced and re-
mitted.
I'VE expressly provided, however.
that on and after March i, 1907, there
shall be absolute free trade between
Puerto Rico and the United States, and
that there shall be such free trade
sooner-in year-six months, or nine
ty days, posslbly-whenever the local
government shall have provided other
wise for its necessary revenues, and
that, in the meanwhile, all collections,
both those to be made In Puerto Rico
and those to be made In the United
States, shall be paid over to Puerto
Rico for the support Of its government
without placing an additional burden
upon the already overburdened lands
and property of the island.
mo such liberal and generous gov
ornment as to revenues was ever given
by this nation or any other to any ter
ritory or colony. II far surpassed all
recommendations and all expectations.
II should be further stated that an
analysis Of the articles constituting
this trade shows that this tax 30 i'm
posed would be borne almost exclusive
ly by the sugar and tobacco interests,
more able than others to bear II with
out feeling any burden.
"In Puerto Rico we allow the people
to elect the lower house Of the legisla-
ture, and give them representation by
appointment In the upper house, and In
all other departments OF their govern
ment.
"The provision that the upper house
OF their legislative assembly shall be
appointed by the president is due to
the fact that among It's members are
the bureau officers, upon whom will
devolve the responsible duty Of organ
izing all the departments OF that gov
ernment, and upon whom we must rely
to make that government as nearly
American as possible.
I'm no other way could we safely
proceed to secure the necessary ability
and experience for such work.
Like everything else the Republican
party undertakes. we propose to make
of this a success-a success for Puerto
Rico and a success for the United
States, and when that has been done
we shall only be too glad to increase
the participation of the Puerto Ricans
in the conduct of their government as
rapidly as they are found equal to its
demands, and nobody will be happier
than we when we can give the whole
A. lyAC hnNn
lieve that the day is not far distant
but II would not be kindness to Puerto
Rico to do that now.
"They have in that island about one
million people. or this whole number
only about Is per cent can read or
write In any language. Only about the
same number own any property. This
means that there are in that little par
allelogram of the sea, about one hun
dred miles in length and thirty-fve
miles in width, fully eight hundred
thousand men. women and children
who are absolutely illiterate and who
are as dependent as poverty can make
them. None of them have had any
experience in governing themselves
and very few have any conception o
WHAT is hlcdul ny lIVc pOpuioi tp'C''I
ment according to our ideas and insti
tutions.
when General Miles landed In tha
island, at the head OF our gallant ant
victorious army. he made proclamation
that he had core not as an enemy
but as a friend. and that the United
States would restore to them prosper
ity and give them the benefits of on
liberal institutions of government. Thu
| Inevitable results OF the legislation tina
has been enacted will constitute com
plete redemption Of all these promises
and triumphant vindication Of tn,
capacity of the Republican party TO
that constructive statemanship so es
sential to the safe guidance Of the re
public in its onward course OF expand
| ing growth and power"