The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-07
TIE DAVIS AMENDMENT.


The amendment offered 10 the Porto Ri
can tariff bill by Senator DAVIS of Mime
sofa on Monday mus, have been almost
as great a surprise to Congress as was
the Presidents message 10 that body last
week, recommending a reduction Of the
tariff duties on Porto Rican products sent
to our markets from % per cent. of tho
Dingley tariff rates to j. per cent. of
those rates. The amendment is of such
a radical character-that is, il is so di-
rectly contrary 10 the position taken by
the House and the President on the ques-
ton of a tariff for Porto Rico-that the
conclusion is inevitable mat Il was offered
only after consultation with The President
and other Republican leaders.
Senator Davis is one of the strongest Of
the administration senators. He was a
member of the Paris Commission that ar
ranged the treaty of peace with Spain
and was one of the strongest advocates Of
the proposition to demand the Philippines
from Spain. 1t looks therefore as if the
Republican leaders had come 10 the con-
clusion that they made a mistake in put
ting a tariff tax on the products of Porto
RICO tblitiIE 70 our mar htlSi dAlfA lldfi 'it
cided 90 get out of a very uncomfortable
position by facing about, and taking the
position originally occupied by the Presi-
dent, and now he'd by the Democrats.
The Davis amendment provides for ex-
lending the constitution to Porto Rico. If
the amendment should be adopted there
fore that island would occupy exactly the
same position, in the matter of the tariff,
as state in the Union does. And il is
pretty safe 10 predict that the amendment
VIII be adopted. 1t would not have been
offered by Senator Davis If ne had not mad
assurances that it would he acceptable 10
the Republicans He is altogether TOO
good a party man 10 go contrary 20 the
wishes of his party
The truth is probably that the President
and his advisers have become alarmed at
the hostility shown TO the Porto Rican
tariff bill as il passed the House. and the
Davis amendment is the means adopted to
get back 10 safe ground. The President has
come to the conclusion, doubtless that il
is better to offend some of the protection
ISIS than to antagonize the large section
of his party. particularly in the West,
that is opposed to taxing the Porto Rican
products that we import. The protective
sentiment in the West, outside of the beet
sugar interest, is not very strong, GER
tainly not strong enough TO stand the pro-
lection to American products that Is found
in the Porto Rican tariff bill
Senator Davis, in speaking of his amend
ment. was careful to point out that It
could not be construed as extending the
constitution to the Philippines. 1t is the
purpose probably to put off dealing with
the Philippines until after the presidential
election. Porto Rico, however, must be
dealt with at once. There is no excuse
for delay. There is no war there. and has
been none in year or more. The Philip
pines, however can stM be held under mil
itary rule on the ground that there is an
instruction there. What the Republican
leaders are aiming at is 10 prevent trou-
blesome questions from coming TO the
front until after the presidential election.
The Republicans have blundered badly
in about every step they have taken in
legislating for Porto Rico II they keep
on laundering whatever prospect they
have for retaining control of the govern
mont Will 1isapnaar