The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-01
SUPPORTED BY FAIRBANKS.
IN Argument in the senate in Favor
of thc Porto Rican HiII.

of thc Porto Rican Htii.
Nj Fairbanks made long speech in
the Senate yesterday in favor Of the pend
ing Porto Rican bin. which he declared
has his unqualified support
Mr. Fairbanks devoted considerable
amount of time to an argument in support
of the proposition that Congress has fun
power over Porto Rico, which, he declared.
has the overwhelming weight of author
iy and sound reasun.
The necessity Of providing revenue for
the support Of the island he said. lis
more manifest the more familiar we be
come with the actual conditions prevail
ing and with what is needed to rehabili
tate IL. Upon a closer and more minute
enquiry il seemed impossible. or at least
inadvisable. to attempt to raise the en-
tire amount required TO support the in
sular administration by q direct tax upon
the people"
He discussed the statement which he
said had been made that the trusts are in
terested in the pending bin and declared
that If they have an interest 1t is limited
to sugar and tobacco, two articles which
are exported TO the United States
The sugar interest" he said. as we
are advised. is interested chiefly. if not
exclusively. in the refining OF sugar. 1t is.
therefore. interested in The question as
10 whether raw sugar purchased in Porto
Rico shall be admitted into the United
States free or with tariff Of Il per cent
of the Dingley rates imposed upon it?
The least ohserv8nt mind must per-
ceiyc that IL Is interested in the absolute
free admission of raw sugar and that it
U.s. Ia the very nature OF things, opposed
TO the imposition Of any duty whatever.
II is inconceivable that il would advocate
the imposition Of a duty upon its raw
product. so as to increase the price there
OF 70 ITSELF unless We attribute to it less
sagacity than il is supposed 10 possess"
Mr. Fairbanks said that 1t is estimated
that there is at present il Porto Rico To-
200 tons or more Of raw sugar awaiting
shipment 10 the United States upon the re
duction or entire removal of the Dingley
rates. On this subject he said:
II duty Of 10 per cent of the Dingley
duties is paid upon this sugar and other
sugars which are purchased by the trust
and those in like interest who will be the
beneficiary That is to say for whose bene
fit is the money paid at the custom house?
It VIII not go into the Treasury of the
United States but viii be used for the ex-
elusive benefit OF Porto Rico. This contri-
button for the support of the insular gov
ti ANltNt NH uoi Dt ldlt D1 AHt MASSES
of the people but will be contributed. in
very large measure, by the Sugar Trust, or
by the wealthy Spanish importers. Gen
eral Davis informs us that a large part
Of the mercantile and exporting houses are
owned and conducted by Spaniards, men
who. under the treaty preserve their Span
ish nationality.
"Wha, is said with respect to the Sugar
Trus. supplies with equal force to the To-
bacco Trust. II is interested, if at all, in
the absolute free admission Of tobacco. The
removal Of the entire duty and unrestricted
free trade would undoubtedly meet with its
cordial and enthusiastic approval. Can
there be The remoJest possible ground to
doubt this
Mr.. Fairbanks referred to the fact that
a few weeks aeo the Sugar Trust was
olsintin in a sun brought against the Col
ector Of Customs in New York city to re-
cover about s. coo. 600 collected on imports
from Porto Rico. on the ground that the
Constitution extends over the island. and
hat the duties could not be lawfully col
ected He said that Of the amount col
ected 30 per cent. or nearly Sl.S0O. coo rep |
resented the duties paid on sugar and to-
Dacco, and that TO maintain the suit the
Sugar Trust denies the constitutional pow
70 of the United States 10 collect any duty
whatever
The opposition" he said would have
ls believe that while the trust was in the |
ouris denying the constitutional power Of !
congress 10 impose any duties upon the I
aw sugars imported by it at New York u .
,ss in Washington advocating before (
'ougress The imposition Of a duty upon
ugar J do not believe that anyone viii /
ali to understand how utterly contradic- |
ory and absurd the proposition is
Mr. Fairbanks declared that the only
egislauon suggested in tho present Con
yrcss which was in the interest OF the
,ugar 8ud tobacco trusts were proposed by
he senior senator from Arkansas (Mr.
oue-l; aho introduced an amendment pro-
,OSiug 10 refund TO those VINO had paid il
DE - 0o0 900 collected on imports from
Porto Rico. He said that If the Senator's
meudment had been adopted the money
would be returned 20 the sugar and to-
,acco trusts and other importers nov suing
he Government
For one" he continued. I would re
gard myself recreaut 10 the trust com
nitted 90 me and false to the best inter-
sis OF the people Of the United States if
did not by my vote. compel these trusts
md their allied interests TO pay some part
II maintaining the Porto Rican Govern
Helt, which they do pay under the duty
lpou their raw products rather than in
.resse the direct taxes upon the people in
he Island or iu the alternative appro-
iriats i' from the Treasury Of the United
sfateE.
ar Pre- ideut 10 has not escaped pub
ic attention that lobby from Porto Rico
las been maintained here during the con
liberation ~ the pending bill. II is headed
O. British subject who has been iHsisteut
or free trade between Porto Rico and tie
uited SfaIga, and who is one Of the larg-
sf producer OF sugar iu the island hay-
lg over $500 con invested Ia his sugar en-
erpr-es Ii is quite natural that he
hould desire tnat his product should D. ach
he American market without any. duty
.haf,yer.
Iu conclusion M. Fairbanks said 1T e
ot given iu finite mind 10 read the future
q Porto Rico. but we may believe that
udcr the inspiration Of Republican laws
md under the impetus OF American eN-
nipple her people will grow iu knowledge.
1reugth. and power. and forever bless this
.rear Republic
PROSPECTS FOR THE BILL.