New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04
A SOVEREIGN POWER
THE TINTED STATES AND IT'S
NEW POSSESSIONS.
POLICY STATED BY THE SENATE COM
urrEE on PUERTO RICO IN RE-
PORTING ITS BILL

PORTING ITS BILL
WASHINGTON Feb. a--Ihe D. .o-5a1- cor,-
r--tFc stands and Puerto h'oo go 80 -
- -,rsderation Of the oiil PRIV. o.,
- -o,-s-,n,ent for the isiahu " -..o..,o- -.
~ bfl stands in all esseliA-@' D.t++oo - ,-s
= as left by the cormlluee a' us
Sane % = ,z-as,esday The rate or DUTY pro-
e--e e. ..,ae brought from Puerto RICO TO
..-sl ctotes and for articles taken from
-nlIeo - - Puerto Rico is % per cent
ts,- United States 10
~ raugiey law rates.
.7pposEs OF THE BILL
- tbe chairman Of the COM
raa q report which has been ADOPT
.fe COMMITTEES, and VIII g suD'i ~, leo WI
r. i,.u 10 the Senate On -hiOi-O-'
says: .zo -.
1T - 5riI government for Puerto RICO, TO con-
poia-' .-T -he laws and ordinances now IN
80 IN that island can be revised anu co1tl "a
ard a more permanent ~, 10 - he amounted bv
framed by OoliI4--s
H. I -es- -,, for 2 Commission Of this charac-
:. --o~ifes7 when il Is considered that the
- 5,7{riaI systems and codes OF proceed
- as well as the pollucal coLCltIohs gen
orally TOW existing II Fuet - ale II ir1nos
-i5ev different from ours as 70 nlSAe ~ i1iIpos
49, - AZ such work inteigently ana COM
-,-ahersirelv without that WldeI anu 4IoIE a. a.
Ilrate knowledge that can pc ~. 80 it,,a
visiting the islaEd anu St-D' S
tiCn as i there exists z.- oo,,.i5sra
5esrg1,ss the legislation now unoer consloera-
a -a-7s7 70 stand only temporarily, the
Ton = @ - eo1Igbt 10 limit il TO only such
.+g-ges in existing laws ana cohultlons Is SP
near necessary quickly TO acheNe poses ma. ma
are thought 10 Dc esseDl-04 ~ 0
11yosr.erfty Of the island
P.r-s-Is-oil-- stated. these propositions are:
1870 substitute q civil for military gov
efGlcon5-To accord to the native Puerto Ricans
ss much participation therein as II may De Tor
-. bes+ interests Of all concerned to give them.
Tbir6-To avoid far as possible radical
changes in the laws. courts and codes Of pro-
cedure and yet make such notifications and
alterations are necessary 10 dispense with
he most Objectionable features Of Spanish gov
eminent and judicial administration
FoIr-.h-TO provide a legislative authority
+heY can deal with all domestic subjects OF leg1s-
Fgfrb-To extend the navigation laws Of the
tinted States 10 the island and enact such
tariff internal revenue and other provisions as
are necessary TO afford revenue for the sup
part Of the government and TO meet the expenses
Ct such public instruction and PUBIC improve
rneurs as should be undertaken, and in this
behalf authorize 70 q limited extent, the rails
ing Of funds by issuing municipal and insular
bonds IL anticipation Of revenues.
Stxrh-To retire Puerto Rican coins now in cir
ezlation and substitute coins OF the United
States therefor.
irg Of public ard quasi-public franchises
NO EXTENSION OF CONSTITUTION.
The questions that gave the committee most
concern were. first to whether or not the
Constitution should be extended 10 Puerto Rico;
and in the second place, what provision should
be made with respect 10 tariff duties and in
ternai revenue taxes
Here are cited acts Of Congress with relation
70 the estab lishment Of territorial governments
II Louisiana. Mississippi and other Territories
ana the report continues:
There was no extension Of the Constitution OF
the United States or Of the laws Of the United
IL in any nf
and in the case OF Louisiana there was no par
ticipation in the local government allowed TO the
people Of the Territory. All the officials, includ-
ing The legislative authority, as well as the
Governor and judges, were appointed by the
President.
creating 70 Territories) TO show that there is
abundant precedent for not extending the pro-
visions Of the Constitution 10 territory OF the
United States for which Congress may be called
uICu TO legislate- That il IS within the con-
stituti0nal power Of Congress either TO extend
or withhold the Constitution in all cases IL may
deem advisable will apear from the authorizes
hereinafter cited in support of the proposition
that Congress has constitutional power to legis-
late according 10 the provisions OF TINS Dill Win
respect 10 import duties 10 which provisions at
teution is now called
THE OBJECTIONS TO FREE TRADE
The bill, as introduced. provided for free trade
between the United States and Puerto Rico
THIS proposition was objected TO on various
grounds II urged that
First-It was in violation Of the policy Of pro-
lection.
second-It was inimical TO the interests Of the
United States, with which Puerto Rlcan prooucls
would come into competition
THRIFT would be a precedent that would
have 10 be followed in other cases that might
hereafter arise where the competition resulting
might be -+il mora injurious TO American in
terests
These were Il last the principal objections
urged before the committee. The committee
carefully considered all Of them, with the re-
suit that they do not regard the objections as
Vel taken
after citing the productions Of Puerto Rico,
the report says:
50 far as the objection is concerned that what
Is Gone with respect 70 Puerto Rico will be a
precedent that must be followed in dealing with
the Philippines and other islands we may ac-
cure, the committee think il enough TO say that
sucn a result need not necessarily follow. In
Ll= opinion OF the committee each case stands
OF rs OWL merits, and Congress is not bound in
one py what II may see fl TO do in another. Its
power is plenary, and il may do as ii likes.
II was decided. however, TO impose the duty
and provide for duty on goods entering Puerto
hleo SO as 10 provide revenues for the island.
urther, the report says:
ne committee recognize that in not extend
T ne constitution and making it apply 10
-No h-cos and especially by the provisions
ne report in this biz with respect 70 tariff
---a. 49, raise important questions as TO the
1+1- ia power Of Congress TO enact such
-=zlslatioL- notwithstanding all that has been
81 - ne contrary, a majority Of the commit
- - ne opinion that Congress has such
ir ~. - = hol thought necessary to do more
- his report than simply indicate the grounds
upon which they hold that opinion.
POWER TO ACQUIRE TERRITORY.
Speaking for the majority Of the committee II
= ne longer open 10 question thai the United
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