The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-03-30

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VIEW had never falte1ed in its republi
canism and that it managed to live in
democratic county although it re-
ceived no more county patronage than
the law compelled. One pleasing thing
to us was the high praise he bestowed
on Governor Shaw. Denison has one
man at least, who is known and spoken
highly of throughout the nation.
President Mckinley spoke of him as
one of the ahlest republican leaders
and as a man who had done much to
strengthen the hands of his party in 4
financial legislation.
The president told of recent visit he
had received from a prominent gold
democrat who came to congratulate
him on the passage of the gold stand
ard measure. The gold democrat told
him that while he had voted for him IN
1896, he was not sure what he should
do in 1900 II told him." said the
president. THAT was not in position
to argue the case with him, but that l
should like him to answer two ques-
tions. He said he would, and I asked
him first, to give me an honest answer
to this question, w hat has the republi-
can party done since 1896 to drive you
away? After some thought he looked
up at me and answered Nothing
Then said 1, answer this other ques-
ton, What has the democratic party
done to drive you back?' Again he
was forced to answer, Nothing /
do not know" added the president with
a twinkle in his eye, ''that thatsman
will vote the republican ticket, but
rather think he will.''
The talk then ranged from the demo.
cratic platform recently adopted in
Nebraska, to the all absorbing question
of the Porto Rican tariff. The presi-
dent did not enter into this question at
any length but it was perfectly clear to
be seen that he was in harmony with
congress on the passage of the fifteen
per cent tariff. The attempts of Chi
cago papers to prove that the preside Mt
and the house are acting at cross pur-
poses in this matter, are absolutely
without foundation. Theoretically, we
believe the president wishes free trade
with Porto Rico and expects it to come
at DO distant day. But as his predeces-
sor, Mr.. Cleveland said, sit is a condi-
tion not theory that confronts us.''
The facts are that Porto Rico is in debt
and badly in need of funds to carry on
and establish its government There
are three ways in which this money
may be provided. First by the direct
appropriation of not less than ten mil
lion dollars by the United States. I'd,
| by system of direct taxation such as
is used by the states, and Sd, by the
collection of customs tax or tariff. The,
first method is not a good one as we
wish our possessions to be self SUSTAIN
ing. The second proposition is a good
one and the one which we must 'ulti-
mately obtain, but it will require at
least two years to put it in complete
working order. Suppose for instance
THAT Iowa had no legislature, no conn-
ty officers, no assessors, no assessment
laws. 1t would be necessary to elect
a legislature first, then law must be
enacted under which the assessors and
county officers should be elected, then
the assessments must be made and
equalized, aud then the taxes must be
collected. How long would 1t take2
What would be the result if the state
were in need of money now? The Porto
Rican tariff bill provides for tariff Of
less than sixth of the regular tariff
to be collected and every cent of it to
be turned over to Porto Rico. The
customs machinery is all ready. With
in fifteen minutes after the passage of
the law the money would begin to flow
into Porto Rico's treasury and the
danger of bankruptcy would be avert
ed. This revenue would fill the gap
until the regular system OF taxation
could be put into effect, and until in
dustrial conditions were so changed for
the better that Porto Rican labor would
cease to be menace to American
labor.
The business men and the vast ma
Jority OF the people OF Porto Rico are
satisfied with the solution OF the pro-
blem. Conditions in Porto Rico are
now at their worst, the passage Of the
tariff measure would be oppressive to
no one, it would affort the temporary
relief 80 greatly needed and within a
very few years it would be succeeded
by the same free trade facilities now
enjoyed by the various states.
Our discussion of the Porto Rlcan
tariff had diverted us from our visit to
the first magistrate. After a chat of
about twenty minutes we took our
leave. The president had not, however.
made any sign that our stay was over
lengthy. Perhaps this was due to his
perfect good breeding, and perhaps it
was because it was not unpleasant ia