The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-20

annual message.
Payne replied that thst was a matter
for the house and the committee to decide.
Richardson, the minority leader, insisted
that there should be definite understand
ing that the minority could offer suOsti-
tute. To this Payne declined to agree.
Macrum Matter Brought Up.
AS matter of privilege Hit reported
back from the committee on foreign affairs
the Wheeler resolution calling upon the
state department for information as to the
truth Of the charges OF Mr.. Macrum, ex-
CONSUL at Pretoria. concerning the opening
of his mail by the British authorities and
it was adopted without debate
Payne Opens the Debate.
The house then went into committee Of
the whole with all questions relating 10 the
close OF the debate open Payne. In charge
OF the bin, opened the debate with care
fully prepared argument In support Of the
measure. He was listened to with marked
attention. He said in part:
IAN incident to the late war with Spain
was the invasion Of Puerto Rico. From the
moment that the American army set It's
foot on Puerto Rican soil the people SEEM
ed to receive them with demonstrations
Of JOY and the flag OF the United States
was received with delight. Whatever DIFF
ferences there may have been as 10 The
policy OF snnexing the Philippine Islands,
! know OF no opposition anywhere TO the
annexation Of this gem OF the Antilles.
The Hill Not Precedent.
This bill by it's terms relates only to the
island II Puerto Rico. IL cannot be taken
ss a precedent of any legislative action in
reference 10 the Philippine islands when the
present insurrection shall have been over
come except insofar as we assert in IT our
view Of our power under the American
constitution.
IAN agree that the nrst and most I'M
portant duty we owe to the people of Puerto
Rico Is to open up markets for them. In
no other way can we allay the feeling OF
discomfort likely 10 arise among n people
who have realized 80 little in the change
from Spanish oppression OF 400 years to the
prosperity and liberty which follows the
American flag.
Changes From Original Bill.
''rhe original bin introduced on the 10Th
day OF January last. provided that the Gus
toms laws Of the United States and the in
ternal revenue laws be extended TO Puerto
Rico. The idea was 10 give the producer
Of sugar the free entrance Of this staple
Into the United States. saving duty of
over $50 ton. Under that bill the duty
saved upon tobacco would be So cents per
pound for the main portion OF the crop and
for the wrapper 1.s5 per pound
More Revenue Was Necessary.
AFTER consultation with Gen. Davis. tho
present military governor. who had made
a careful study OF the conditions OF Puerto
Rico, IL was found that this action would
pAf ~ m maj tha
expenses OF the government. He esti-
mated that not more than a million dol
lars could be collected from both customs
duties and Internal revenue tax. This
sum would not pay the bare expenses OF
the government, without appropriating q
dollar for tho public schools or roads. Tho
substitute was then brought forward,
which imposes a duty equal to our own
tariff upon all articles imported from
abroad. other than those OF the United
States. into Puerto Rico, and a duty equal
10 IL per cent. OF the rates Of our own
tarn laws on all articles imported into
Puerto from tho United States or from
Puerto Rico Into the United Statcs. The
best estimates that can be obtained show
that this will produce a. revenue of si,i5o.-
oao from customs duties, which added TO
the internal revenues Of the islands, will
produce s2.bVe.eo0. a sum sufficient 10 pay
all the expenses of the government, iaciud-
the public schools. The total estimate OF
Gen. Davis for the expenditures is s. 80
600. The original bill therefore. /. would
seem. means a bankrupt treasury: the sub
stitute surplus Of sDp.oc which will
meet some of the pressing needs for tho
establishment OF common schools. The re-
mission OF rs per centum OF the duties on
sugar and tobacco. which are now paid.
means an annual increase OF income TO
these people of s. 10000. This means the
lifting of a mortgage from many "a small
plantation, better wages for the laborers
more money In circulation and greater
general prosperity. II means hope Instead
% despair. IL means encouragement. to the
other agrtculturists, who will DO stimu-
lated by tho prosperity of their nejshbors
70 restore their own broken fortunes
win Restore Prosperity 20 Islands.
That the income under this bill will
Increase nom year TO year there can be
no doubt that II win restore prosperity
aud give new life and enterprise TO the
people 81 this island IL equally true. This
VIII open MP new channels for direct tax
alton. without proving burden to the
people. and the time Will not re far dis
tant whom public improvements all over
the island viii he complete and school
hcus. established ia every community be-
meath the folds OF the American Tag.
No Interests Iaiur~a.
Ner Will this bin iniufe any interests
tn the United States. With sugar at q
per cent or the present duties the beat
sugar Industry will grow and prosper
Forty thousand tons a year ago. and 100
go tons this year Il Is destined IN the
near future 20 supply the place Of an we
import. A. | had occasion 10 say. In clos
ing the debate on tue conference report on
the ninsiey eill with bret sugar factar,
~ every congressional district, it w,ll solve
the question % the sugar trust
Nor does the American tobacco xrower
fear the importation OF this l,ooo.eo pounds
81 tobacco, IL will furnish a new market
for the wrapper which he produces. ara
VII bring him gain Instead OF loss. we
believe that the hest interests Of ths ueo.
ne Of Puerto Rico and the hest interests
~ the people of the United states are
bath e0hsefvvd IN this hill
The Constitutional Question.
But our constitutional power is CUES.
toned. ! don't propose TO so into dis
oaasion 81 the dictum Of the supren,.
court or Of any decision bearing GA this
question. ] nnd no case whers the ques
ton WAS directly involved or witch IL