Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1900-04-14
PORTO RICO BILL
Synopsis of the Measure as 1t Was
Finally Passed by the
House.
Fifteen Per Cent Tariff and In
ternal Revenue Features
Retained.
Civil Government Portion of the
Bill Goes Into Effect on
May l, 1900.

GU0 1OItO 10ACO OA4A'
It applies to the island of Porto Rico
and to the adjacent islands lying east
Of the 74th meridian, which are desig-
mated Porto Rico.
From the date of the passage Of the
act, the same customs duties are levied
on all goods entering Porto Rico from
foreign countries as are levied on the
same goods entering the United States,
save that coffee, which has free entry
into the United States, is to pay a duty
of cents per pound on entering Porto
Rico. Scientific, literary and artistic
works and books and pamphlets printed
in the English language may enter
Porto Rico free Of duty. The
Tariff Section of the Bill
relating to duties between the United
States and Porto Rico is as follows:
"That on and after the passage of this
act, all merchandise coming into the
United States from Porto Rico, and
coming into Porto Rico from the United
States, shall be entered at the several
ports of entry upon payment of 10 per
cent of the duties which are required to
be levied, collected and paid upon like
articles Of merchandise imported from
foreign countries, and in addition
thereto, upon articles Of merchandise
of Porto Rican manufacture coming
into the United States and withdrawn
for consumption or sale upon payment
of tax equal to the internal revenue
tax imposed in the United States upon
the like articles of merchandise Of do
nestle manufacture; such tax to be
paid by internal revenue stamp or
stamps to be purchased and provided
by the commissioner of internal rev.
enue, and to be procured from the col
lector of internal revenue at or most
convenient to the port Of entry of said
merchandise in the United States and to
be affixed under suoh regulations as the
commissioner Of internal revenue, with
the approval Of the secretary of
the treasury shall prescribe, and on all
articles Of merchandise of United States
manufacture coming into Porto Rico,
in addition to the duty above provided
upon payment of tax equal in rate and
amount to the internal revenue tax i'm
posed in Porto Rico upon the like arti-
Giles of Porto Rican manufacture: Pro-
vided that on and after the date when
this act shall take effect, all merchan-
disc and articles except coffee, not du-
table under the tariff laws of the
United States, and all merchandise and
articles entered in Porto Rico free of
duty under orders heretofore made by
the secretary of war, shall be admitted
into the several ports thereof, when i'm.
ported from the United States free of
duty, all laws or parts of laws to the
contrary Notwithstanding, and when
ever the legislative assembly Of Porto
Rico shall have enacted and put into
operation
A System Of Local Taxation
to meet the necessities of the govern
ment Of Porto Rico, by this act estab-
lished, and shall, by resolution duly
passed so notify the president he shall
make proclamation thereof and there
upon all tariff duties on merchandise
and articles going into Porto Rico from
the United States or coming into the
United States FROM Porto Rico, and
from and after such date all such mer-
chandise and articles shall be entered
at the several ports of entry free of
duty, and in no event shall any duties |
be collected after the last day of March,
1902, on merchandise and articles going |
into Porto Rico from the United States, !
or coming into the United States from |
Porto Rico.
Governmental Provisions. |
The governmental portion of the bill |
provides that the capital shall be at San |
Juan that the laws and ordinances of |
Porto Rico now in effect shall continue |
in force and effect except as shall be or
dered by laws and military orders, and |
where not in conflict with the laws Of |
the United States.
The old law forbidding the marriage |
Of priests and ministers is repealed.
The vessels of Porto Rico are to be
nationalized and admitting to the hene.
fits OF the United States coasting laws. |
An executive council appointed by
the president and confirmed by the SEN
avg, SouSlSV1IIS VI d sSCISGdIy, attorney
general, treasurer, auditor, commits
sioners of interior and education, and |
five other persons to hold Office for four
years. The council is the upper branch
Of the legislature, five of whom shall be
natives Of Porto Rico. The other branch
shall be the house of delegates, to con-
sist of 50 members elected biennially by
the qualified electors.
Provision is made for enacting legisla-
ton similar to that in other territories
No export duties are to be collected,
but taxes and licenses may be levied.
On the regulat election day in No.
vember, and every two years thereafter,
Porto Rico may choose commissioner
to represent the island at Washington,
salary $4,000
A commission of three members, one
q native Of Porto Rico, is to be named
to revise and codify the laws Of Porto
Rico.
The act for civil government is to
30 into effect May 1, 1900. !