New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-17
THE PUERTO RICAN TARIFF.
BEPUBLIpAN OPPOSITION SAID TO BE
DISAPPEARING
\ NOTABLE DEBATE on THE BILL PROMISED
IN THE HOUSE NEXT WEEK
Tar TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

Washington, Feb. 16.-In the opinion OF Mr..
Dalzen, OF Pennsylvania. and other Republican
members OF the Ways and Means Committee.
the Republican opposition 10 the Puerto Rican
Tarin Din has already begun 10 wane and ap-
pears 10 be much less formidable than II did
torty-eight hours ago The Republican leaders
are expecting much from the discussion OF the
I'll, which. they assert with great confidence,
vii 90 a great deal toward correcting erroneous
impressions based on misleading statements.
and also toward removing prejudices thus en-
Eendered The opposition Of those who demand
higher rates Of duty than are proposed in the
pending bill is much less active than il a
week ago. Some of the Representatives who
were strongly disposed to insist on such demands
seem 10 have begun TO realize that their con
huued opposition 70 the measure might result
4 the wiping out OF all the proposed duties and
4eaving the growers Of domestic beet sugar, cane
sugar and tobacco without even the moderate
degree OF protection which the majority of the
Ways and Means Committee has recommended.
The Republican majority il the House is rather
narrow, and detection OF less than dozen
votes would probably defeat the bill despite the
fact that several Democratic votes for Il are ex-
pected
GREAT PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEBATE
The debate promises TO be the most notable
one that has occurred in the House Of Repre-
sentatives il many years. and it viii probably
outIast next week All the members Of the
Ways and Means Committee and the Committee
OF Insular Affairs are making careful and dill
gent preparations 70 take part in It. as are scores
q others, including nearly all the stronger de-
sare-s IN the House For weeks the law de-
pa-tnent Of the Library Of Congress has been
subjected to heavier drafts than were ever
known before. and the legislative archives Of
TIE Government and political works bearing any
relation 70 the subject n hand have been ran
sacked as never before.
Considerable stress viii be laid by the Repub-
Hcsns on the provision IN the Treaty Of Paris
which declares that the political status and civil
rights OF the Inhabitants shall be such the
Congress Of the United States may prescribe
Such q provision IL not found in any other
treaty Of cession To the United States. and this
one vas inserted at the eleventh hour # Is said,
OF the molten Of Senator Davis, who wrote II
while the American Commissioners were con-
Edertng the final draft Of the treaty. At the
tine Il was not regarded Of prime irnpor-
tance by Judge Day or Senator Gray. who. how
ever. did not raise any serious objection TO IL
and 81 was incorporated IN the treaty with the
ready consent Of the Spanish Commissioner
who under the circumstances, may have felt
less interest IN the future OF the inhabitants Of
Puerto Rico and the Philippines than they
otherwise would The advocates and support
CT the position taken by the Republicans IN
Congress now regard the provision as Of exceed
tngly great importance.
VIEWS OF PUERTO RICANs CHANGED
Some Of the Puerto Rican delegates now IN
washington are more active and jealous than
ever II their efforts 70 influence Congress IN
favor Of free trade between Puerto Rico and
the United States. Yesterday they received the
following cable dispatch from Ponce, which they
caUsed 70 be promptly published IN the news
papers:
Business paralyzec; free trade would change
fairs Inplore Congress foT immediate Tesolu-
representing Committees on commerce and
Agriculture
n the spring O. 1895 Carlos Armstrong was
the chairman OF commission, CT COMMITTEES, In
Ponce which was appointed by the Industrial
Commission Of Ponce 70 report on 'the principal
articles Of export embraced n the customs tariff
Of this island, and also the principal imports
for the purpose Of fixing basis which, N their
opinion. should regulate the projected tariff
rates. and 70 suggest means OF securing CONNER
cisI treaties with certain countries"
n view Of the dispatch above quoted which
IS designed to promote free trade legislation IN
Congress, and the reiterated assertions respect
ing the then existing trade relations between
Puerto Rico and Spain. the following extracts
from the report Of Chairman Armstrong and his
colleagues which vas GATED April H. 1885, VIII
b found pertinent and interesting:
The committee is Of opinion that export and
cargo duties On the products Of the country
should be entirely abolished. the more so be-
cause real estate contributes 70 the State per
cent q IFS revenue and 70 the municipality "a
Per cent Il follows. therefore, that all export
duties collected are great burden 10 the pro-
cucers. Export duties are paid solely BY the
producers
II the North American Republic should con-
ee6e z reduction q 20 per cent on the iulporta-
hon q tobacco. sugar. rnOlasses ana SAT- from
Puerto Rico might n turn concede certain
REDUCTIONS II the tariff
The reductions made in the tariff Of Puerto
Rico the products Of the peninsula should
necessarily be compensated by proportiOnate re-
oEctlcns made IN Spain ard the adjacent Islands
CT he products q Puerto Rico imported Dy
sucn places II would not be fair 10 continue
ne present rates, for while the products OF
q Puerto Rico are heavily taxed in the PENN
Eula 10 the extent Of being almost prohibitive.
mere should be but rate Of customs duty
19r both countries, and Tot, as il happens, that
under the term consumption" OF other similar
terms surrax Is levied upon the first import
duties.
There Is not q suggestion in favor Of free trade
II the report The fact that free trade did not
exist between Spain and Puerto Rico is clearly
brought out. and the suggestion that conces-
sl1U q - per cent should be made by the
United States n favor Of tobacco. sugar, molas-
ses and salt imported from Puerto Rico has
been net by TO reduce those and all other
duties On Puerto Rican products by 10 per cent
CHANBER Of COMMERCE BUILDIBG FUND.
70 The Editor Of The Tribune.
slr- Ire statements that have appeared il some
q the papers OF last evening and this morning.