The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-14
The Tariff Problem
as TO Puerto Rico
Editor of The Tribune


Sir: 1t seems TO me that we are in
great danger of doing an ill-considcred
and indefensible act of injustice to this
friendly people--the only one of our ISL
and possessions which threw open its
doors and hailed the advent Of our flag
with "Vivas," "Vive Americanos," and
not only this but, more dangerous to our
selves, are likely to establish a prece-
dent that may become very uncomfort-
able in the future. AS a matter of simple
justice, fairness and common decency to
these kind and gentle Puerto Ricans,
who came to us so trustfully, out Of the
arms of their old oppressors to get the
benefit of our free Institutions, It does
seem as though we should treat them as
friends and not as aliens; should call
them brothers and not strangers. The
preteXt urged, viz, that by this means
alone can a revenue be raised for the
benefit of education and public improve
ments in the island. is much too thin.
This is henevOlence with a vengeance.
1t is taking the property of a few ex-
porters or merchants. and distributing 1t
over the whole island. Why didn't we
apply this rule to Louisiana and Florida
and California, when they became OURS
by purchase? They needed education
and public improvements.
A tariff for revenue merely Is unObJec-
tionable and so also is a tariff for pro-
lection, both in their place. The Dinglcy
tariff law Is both. 1t protects along lines
where American industry needs it. 1t
is tariff for revenue, pure and simple.
where protection Is not needed, or where
the imports cannot be produced In this
country. But the proposed law for the
Puerto Ricans is neither. 1t is a double
edged knife and cuts him both ways.
We compel him to bring his products to
us and charge for doing 1t. We compel
him to buy his supplies of us. and then
charge him for doing this also. 1t Is like
saying to a farmer, you must bring
your eggs to my store, but for the priv
ilege l will deduct Is per cent. off the
value; now you must take your pay in
my goods at my price, ard for this boon
] will deduct another Is per cent. BY
that time the innocent farmer having
paid 30 per cent. for the privilege Of do.
ing business at my store, will doubtless
appreciate my behevolence, and this
even though this money may be doled
back to him to meet what l choose to
think he needs In the way of public i'm
provement.
So much for this side of the question.
Now as to the legal aspects of the case.
as affecting ourselves. Mr.. Littlefield, Of
Maine, gives expression to what believe
to be the law when he says such tar
iff-or any tariffs against any of our
possessions-is unconstitutional. The an
swer to this Is that "the constitution
does not extend itself to newly acquired
territory, but can be applied to such
only by act Of congress-" This. in my
Judgment Is very dangerous doctrine.
and contrary to all precedent in our past
history. What Is the constitution? IT
Is the organic law of the land, through
which alone we exist and exercise the
powers of a nation. 1t is the center and
source of our national life just as the
charter of a private corporation is the
center and source OF it's corporate life.
The powers It's charter confers 1t may
exercise and none others. So with a
constitution or charter of government,
especially our own; Its corporate life and
powers must extend over its entire ter.
ritory, otherwise there can be no GOV
ernmental life or power there. If this
principle is not true, what was the po-
litical status of Louisiana, which ln-
cluded most Of the vast territory west
of the Mississippi. Immediately after Il
was purchased In 1911? What that Of
Florida? and California? Tho civil and
| criminal laws OF the countries from which
we purchased these territories ceased i'm
| mediately on the completion of the pur-
| chase. Were they then without laws? In
| the interregnum between the date of
purchase and the establishment OF terri
torial government. will 1t be claimed
that there was no power to protect life
| or property? or that crime could not be
punished. VIII anybody pretend that
the moment the trcaty Of Paris was rati.