Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1900-04-02

year 1899 the exports Of the United
States were <3.l47, 9J4. The imports
from the Cnited States for the same
| year We're SO 1919 3ti3
Coffee. which constituted about
seven tenths per cent OF the exports,
has found a market chiefly in Europe.
A slight export duty was imposed upon
| coffee by Spain. but this has been
abolished by executive order since
American occupation.
! In order TO protect the Porto Rican
coffee interests against the cheap
Brazilian coffee a duty will be neces
sary. solely in the interest OF Porto
Rico The pending bill fixes the rate
at cents per pound.
Sugar is next in importance to the
coffee crop. The average productions
has been about $4,000 tons per an
mum, but this year the yield for ex
port is estimated at about $4,000 tons
The Dingley duty upon this product
this year would average about $50 per
ton. and, according to the ways and
means committee. II would aggregate
about xl.330,O0o- The proposed duty
Of Il per cent. OF the Dingley rates
would reduce this to $3.50 per ton.
so as to yield for the administration
OF the island n sum Of 5000. 800. a saw
ing to the owners of sugar. on the
basis Of the Dingley rates. of SLIT
500. There was consumed by us last
year some 2.Oo0.OOo tons of sugar
OF which only about 600. 900 tons We're
produced I'm the United States. II
is obvious that the 5000 tons Of sugar
imported from Porto Rico this year
will have no appreciable effect upon
the price of our domestic product, nor
viii the island. il cultivated to its
full capacity. yield sugar sufficient to
concern our domestic producers.
The tobacco crop is estimated at
4,Uo0.0OO pounds per annum. and I'M
der the existing rates wiepay a duty
of 30 cents per pound of $l.4O0.OO.
On basis OF 10 per cent. Of the
present rates. or 5la cents per pound.
the duty will yield $21O.OOO. The
amount Of tobacco which would be i'm
ported from Porto Rico II the entire
crop were sent here would have no
perceptible impression upon the to-
bacco interests of the United States.
which amount to about 450.OOO.O 900
pounds per annum.
BY reducing the duties now i'm force
under the Dingley law to Is per cent
IL will be seen from what has pre-
coded that there will be derived from
the duty on tobacco and sugar the sum
OF S412.5OO while under the rates fixed
by the Dingley law the total would
be $2,547 5001a total reduction for
the benefit OF those interested in Porto
Rico sugar and tobacco of 81. 135. 900.
Aside from coffee, sugar and tobacco.
the island produces cattle and tropical
fruits.
The total imports into the United
States during the calendar year 1899
amounted TO $3.4l6.6Sl. OF this
amount there was admitted free of
duty $685. leaving the total duti-
able imports S3.147. 954. Estimated
duties under the rates OF the present
tariff $2o51. 547.52. These duties will
continue under existing law until re-
duced or repealed by act Of congress.
BY reduction of Is per cent. accord
inS 10 the present measure. the es-
timafed duty on the basis of last
years commerce will only he S307.-
1ati II
The total value OF the exports for
the year ending December 81, 1899.
was SO 1885, Upon the basis of ex-
listing rates the duty thereon would
have been S1.21o.104.6S- But by order
of the president breadstuffs. pro-
visions aud some other articles neces-
sary for the poor We're placed on the
free list
Porto Rico since the treaty OF peace
has been under military control
There has been a general improvement
in administration throughout the is
land Under the improved system
the number OF jails has been reduced.
speedy trial had been given the accused
and the number of persons awaiting
trial has decreased nearly one-half
The number Of judicial officers has
been reduced and the cost of admins
tering justice has been diminished and
a large saving in money has been
effected for the people TIE task of
changing from a monarchiaI to re-
publican system has been difficult
and tedious one. The habits of the
people can not he changed in a day
Ii should TIE our policy to educate the
Porto RicanS in public administration
as readily as possible. and 50 far ass
the hest in serests Of the se-viae will /
warrant appointing them 10 I'll their
own pUl,Iic offices.
The Port" RicanS have shown q
cnmns' 1iahle willingness. in fact. =
desire 10 conform TO the views and !
methods of the authorities IF the /
Cnifeti States in the island Tue re- |
-. 49, " NJ citizenship ---.,s a new l