Evening star., 1900-04-04

permanent policy of tariG on Porto Rico
and those other possessions Why was this
donee Why. because ii had been discovered
that on account of the ravages OF storm
last August the financial condition of the
people of Porto Rico was such that they
would be unable to raise the necessary rev-
enue by ordinary methods OF taxation. Just
discovered it, I say that IL that he the
real. true and genuine reason for this pro-
posed departure from the equality plan,
winch was the policy OF the administration
ana OF the party up to that time then IL
does not become question OF differences
as TO principles, but only as TO methods
and means
'All parties concede the present seriou,
ccndition of the people in Porto Rico. The
republican party is always alert to appre-
ciate such condition OF the people. The re-
publcans OF this body. and some few demo-
cr2ts. responded to that condition, and will
higly voted S2ooo.G00 and over to aid and
assist those people who rested under this
dire calamity. This action was inSus1lrated
by a special message of the President. sup
ported loyalty by His supporters in Con-
gress and by the great mass OF the people
of this country. We then made no aiics-
ton about the constitCtionallty of that
proposition. but saw only plain duty. and
performed it.
And so. when necessity demands II. We
VIII do it again. But some one says you
have no right to vote money from the
treasury for such purpose. But we have
the right, We have the power. and now we
nave the precedent, and we have the ap-
proyal of the American people. And right
mere let me say that / believe il to be true
that the necessary votes to pass the House
bill were obtained by an appeal made un-
der the financial-aid clause IN the bill: that
a large number We're induced, rgainst their
own Judgment and belief on the principle
OF free trade and tariff. to yield their own
Judgment because Of the financial distress
of the people of Porto RICO and the pro-
vision Of the hill that helped them
1t is well known on this side Of the
Rh 10 lAnr 7 l.
established fact, that had the bill TO trans
FER the revenues collected under the Ding
ley law of over s2.onppO been known or
presented first it would have resulted in the
defeat of the tariff bill and the establish
ment Of the equality basis in the CONNER
cial transactions between Porto Rico and
the United States. i have no doubt about
it.
Does Not Represent Majority of House
IF this be true, and l believe 1t is then
l am warranted in making the statement
that the House bill, with all the knowledge
and the facts now known, including those
unknown, when voted upon does not repre-
sent the Judgment and consensus of opinion
of the majority of this body l hav, heard
many members give expressions which n
duced me to believe that if they had first
voted to give the money collected under
the Ding4ey tariff over, Two and a half
million dollars. they would not have sup
ported the tariff bill: but having gone on
record, although they concede the reason
for doing so has been fully satisfied they
feel a delicacy about voting against the
tariff if an opportunity offers, and it now
looks very certain that it will offer within
a few days. and | hope it will.
Il am unable to understand this kind OF
philosophy. If the cause that moved me
was satisfied. removed. l would at least
prefer to make the correction myself. IL
opportunity offered. than the chance
of having my constituents correct it for me
at time that might not be convenient.
The House bill that was passed
predicated upon three necessities. according
to the preamble of the bill. First. it is
predicated upon the alleged necessity Of
raising revenue for schools: then. secondly,
for roads and internal improvements. and,
finally. upon the alleged necessity OF the
administration of their government to
funds. These are the three necessities
stated in the bill.
Il say abandon now this tariff since we
voted the money TO carry on their admins
trauon-two millions and half. We all
know from the statement Of the ways and
means committee made here that that
money will carry on their administration
for more than eighteen months. from their
own figures. Then, / say, abandon This pre-
text for levy ing a tariff tax under the al
legged necessity of building schools and
roads for Porto Rico. What they demand
now is not school houses and roads, but
justice and equity. Recognize their rights
by the enactment of proper legislation. and
they will get their school houses and roads
dS last dS lHaN can use tHefn-
The s2JNaVOU already given them will
furnish ample revenue for the present ad-
ministration Of their government. The es-
tablishment of their just rights will build
more school houses and roads than the
paltry revenue proposed by this tax. Es-
tablish tie principle Of equality and Porto
Rico will work out her own salvation.
The Spanish Tariff.
I'm connection with the discussion OF this
question, reference has been made to the
extreme tariff that burdened Porto Rico
when controlled by Spanish rule The tariff
on flour was 81 for 2oO pounds. and in ad-
ditOn. consumption tax of $3.50; making
$3.50 on 200 pounds of flour Other items
Were taxed in proportion
Under Spanish regime wheat from the
United States was placed at such tariff.
S3.15, that it was forced to go to Spa n to BE-
ground into flour and then shipped back. |
heard this suggestion made. and ii con-
veyed to my mind that Porto Rico was so
used to the Spanish imposition that il
would not do to give her free trade all at
once. 1t would be such a shock that il
would be dangerous. Even the action of
the President. Mr.. Chairman. in suspending
the tariff during the past months upon the
important necessities OF life in Po.tn REQ
is unhe2ded.
THE President, in the exercise of his wis
dom. appreciating the Impoverished condi-
ton of Porto Rico, suspended the customs
tariff on flour. breadStufTS, Goldfish and the
staples of life to the masses of the people.
But when they come to pass this bill, in
the anxiety. it seems to save the Cunstitu-
ton, in the anxiety 10 give schools and
roads to Porto Rico. the House bill turns
down this acton of the President of the
United States and allows the people TO
starve. Instead of recognizing their rights
instead of giving them their equality, we
propose to tax their nakendneSS in order to
raise revenue to teach their intelligence.
They say, or seem to say, that history
shows these Porto Rico people were taxed
and taxed and taxed aga H. and under il all
they Were able to tax themselves besides To
the amount of S2JUpo.opb, for the purpose
of freeing their slaves; therefore, America
should tax them, too.
They point in one breath to the tyran-
meal robbery by tariff taxation by SPAN,
and in the next breath they say il is 4
blessing to these Porto Ricsns 10 he taxed
by America. because the amount l. 50
small ard the system So different and the
cause. scho Is and rGa /. gool.
The Presidents Acssnge.
Mr.. Chairman. the American people re-
joice that the United -ates liberated Porto
Rico from Spanish tyranny. The American
people accepted with joy the treaty with
Spain. whereby the sovereignty over the
Island Of Porto Rico was ceded to ths
United States. The American people ac-
ceDtcd with satisfaction the raceotiln of