The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-24
JUSTICE AGAINST SORDIDNEss.

During the week that the Porto Rican
tariff question has been under discussion
public opinion has developed sufficiently to
leave no doubt that the best sentiment of
the country is in favor of granting the
Porto Ricans absolute and unrestricted
free trade with the States Whatever OPP
position there is to this policy is based
on political, selfish or pecuniary considera-
tions and disregards the abstract question
of right 1t is case of sordidness against
justice, and on this issue the people favor
justice without regard to constitutional
bubbles or academic theories. 1t is enough
for the people to know that Porto Rico
people brought under the flag without con-
sulting them: that they have been prom
ised full participation in the blessings and
benefits Of the United States government
that they accepted this situation and prom
Use In good faith and are now asking that
it be made good. This is not case for
constitutional quibbling. selfish policies or
sordid schemes; it is case for justice.
1t is curious to note the origin and growth
of the movement to exclude Porto Rico
December last when President Mckinley
In his annual message took strong ground
in favor OF free trade between Porto Rico
and the United States not a voice was
raised against it. The Presidents recon-
mendation was accepted as a matter Of
that thought they would be hurt by the
adoption of that policy began to speak out
In opposition-frst the sugar refners. then
the sugar growers. then the tobacco grow
ers Of Connecticut, then those of the West
and South, then the cigar manufacturers
and some others. Finally they pooled their
interests and began to make themselves
felt in Washington. A bill had been in
PRODUCED by the ways and means commit
tee giving Porto Rico free trade with the
rest of the United States. Presently it was
given out that the ways and means COM
mittee had discovered that this would not
do, that it would affect certain interests
injuriousy and would not yield revenue
enough to defray the cost of the Porto
Rican government. This was the first time
the idea had been advanced that Porto
Rico must be made to pay the cost of her
government This sordid idea has now be-
come the main argument in favor of the
policy of treating Porto Rico as a foreign
country by putting a tariff duty on her
products coming into the United States.
In his opening speech of the present dis
cussion Chairman Payne said it had been
found that the original bill would not pro-
duce sufficient revenue to meet the ex-
penses of the government of Porto Rico,
a duty equal to Is per cent. of our present
tariff rates on all articles imported into
Porto Rico from the United States or from
Porto Rico into the United States. About
the same time 1t was stated that while the
President still adhered to his original
declaration and regarded it as the wisest
policy, yet II Congress chose to adopt a
different one he would approve 1t. Thus.
as far as the ways and means committee
could accomplish it. the policy of scrdid-
ness was substituted for that of justice.
The suggestion that Porto Rico must be
made to yield sufficient revenue to meet the
expenses OF its government is based on a
wrong idea. The United States has never
adopted that idea or rule with reference to
its territories. and should not apply ii to
its new island possessions. 1t has not an
nexed them for mercenary reasons. and
should not start out with the idea that
they must yield enough revenue TO pay for
their government Probably they will
anyhow. but that is not the main question.
We must do what is right and just regard
less of revenue considerations. We must
not allow the results OF a war undertaken
for humanitarian reasons TO be measured
by the money standard After annexing
the Porto Ricans and promising them all
the blessings and benefits OF the United
States government we cannot AFFORD to de-
prive them of free trade with the rest
Of the country on the ground that IL would
create a deficit In the island revenues.
Moreover, intelligent Porto Rfcans. sew
eral of whom are now In Washington rep
resenting the interests of the island. say
II is able and willing to raise revenues
al -