The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-13
APPEAL FROM PORTO RICANs.


SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, March 12.-The
planters, merchants and manufacturers of
Porto Rico mailed to Congress yesterday
by the steamer Philadelphia the following
statement:
1--WE, the undersigned, beg to submit to
your earnest consideration the following
views as to the financial policy of Porto
Rico. We note with regret the principle
enunciated by certain speakers in the lower
house of Congress that tariff between
Porto Rico and the United States is the
proper method of raising revenues for this
island. To this We are unchangeably OPP
posed for the following reasons:
'First-Because taxation on our exports
means an embargo on our foreign COM
merce.
''Second-Because curtailment of our
commerce with the United States would
lock up our products here and prevent us
from gaining our legitimate proportion of
profit on our productions.
I'VE can never become Independent finan-
cially II forced to trade solely among
ourselves. We must have a market other
than Porto Rico or else We cannot gain
wealth. Do not mistake the proposed 10 per
cent. of the Dingley rates for a reasonable
rate. 1t is a fact that no class Of goods pro-
duced here from leaf tobacco will be taxed
less than 70 per cent. ad valorem, while
one of the most important Of these classes
will be taxed 160 per cent. ad valorem un-
der the bill adopted by the House of Rep
resentatives. If this is not an embargo on
our trade what can 1t be called?
I'VE earnestly ask for free trade, believ
ing that with mutual interchange of
products between the two countries the
United States will be more than gamer.
The United States will for many years
supply our 100000 people with their manu-
factured products. In general We recognize
the fact that a revenue to support the
insular government would be necessary,
but we are decidedly of opinion that a bet
ter method of raising that revenue will
be by internal taxation, and for the follow
ing reasons: First, because by that sys-
tenn no restriction will be placed on our
commerce with the United States; second
because the adoption of that system will
be ample In operation here as IL Is in the
United States.
I'm considering the amount of revenue
needed for this island we beg to submit
the following calculations, which. after
due consideration, We believe can be real
lied: Rum, 100000 gallons, which at $1.10
per gallon works out at 81, 400, 900; cigarettes
250.000.000 which at $3.50 per thousand
works out at $375,000; cigars, 120, ,000, 900,
which at $3.50 per thousand works out at
$432, 900; total, s., ,23S. 900. We estimate the
entire special license tax nominally $1,000.
This will give US a total revenue Of &, 252,-
600. One-third of that equals about s75O,666
A fair estimate of the annual cost of ad-
sinking fund on bonds to be issued $l50, 200;
total required, $l50O0o.
Even with free trade with the United
States there would be an additional reve-
toms duties on goods coming here from
foreign countries. II Congress will author
ize Porto Rico to issue s, 900, 900 of forty
year per cent. bonds the above will pro-
vide for them, viz, for interest. $l0O. 900.
and for sinking fund $4,000. a total OF $780,
600. Therefore We infer that IL will be un-
necessary to adopt for this island the full
revenue rates OF the United States. One
third of those rates will give ample re-
| ceipts to cover all the above. Porto Rico
has no bonded or other debts Therefore
| s., 100000 of bonds TO be issued for internal
| improvements would be conservative.
I'VE call your attention to the fact that
| 1t has been the custom OF all countries to
make internal improvements by the system
OF bonded indebtedness which divides the
| expenses among succeeded generations. We
do not desire TO have the burden of internal
| improvements placed on US solely. IL II
must be so then We ask that IL be done by
a system of internal taxation that will not
prevent the increase OF our commerce with
| the States of the American Union and that
| will not starve US.
1.-The fact cannot be disputed that our
| people are in sore distress. All commerce
is now hampered. The investment OF capi-
| tai Is stopped. The farmers have not the
means to plant or gather their crops.
Building and improving are impeded- Cap
| ital refuses to come here for investment in
either manufacturing or agricultural pur-
poses for the reason that the sovereignty
| of the United States over this island has
| deprived us OF free trade with Spain and
| with Cuba, which formerly took our ex-
| ports at fair prices and enabled US TO live
I'VE now ask right In equity that
| free trade with the United States be given
US. We ask bread as a right from our
mother. Do not, we pray, give US stone.
We ask for an immediate decision"