New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-16
PUERTO RICO'S CLAIMS.
DR.. CARROLL SPECIAL COMMISSIONER,
SPEAKS FOR FREE TRADE WITH
THE UNITED STATES.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

THE UNITED STATES.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: You characterize, in your editorial col
umns Tuesday, February Is. as "uncommonly
generous the proposal OF the Foraker bill TO
give the people Of Puerto Rico "a chance to
build up prosperous commerce. and turn all
the proceeds from it, including revenue, to their
own exclusive USE and free them entirely from
contributing TO the expense of the general Gov
eminent
/ do not understand that the people of Puerto
Rico have asked. or are asking for uncommon
ly generous treatment. They have asked for
free commerce, and willing to take their
place with New-Mexico, Arizona and Oklahoma
.n the matters OF application of customs duties
and proceeds of internal revenue. If this is
simply generous" why the attempt to be "un-
commonly generous" when the objects of the
generosity did not ask or expect it? 1t is be-
cause Puerto Ricans regard it Indispensable
10 the building up of a prosperous commerce"
that they ask for free trade. You are propos-
ing TO give them less and call it "uncommonly
generous" treatment. l do not see that il Is
''uncommonly" or even ordinarily generous"
They believe that capital. without which their
island must be totally ruined. Will not come to
sheir relief unless free commerce is declared at
once as settled policy. This is the generous"
ching they ask for.
SO favored Cas it is proposed to favor Puerto
Rico). The taxes collected at their ports went
snto the general Treasury, and as likely as not
nothing given in return, not even a harbor
Improvement, but local government was or
ganiEed. which had TO pay all its running ex-
penses from local taxes"
Are you not mistaken in this? I have before
me the several laws creating the Territories of
New-Mexico. Arizona and Oklahoma, and find
Judges Of the courts and of the members of the
legislative Assembly, including expenses of
courts and Legislature, provided for out OF
the general Treasury. The act creating the Ter
Titory Of Oklahoma makes specific appropria-
lions under these heads for the remainder of
she fiscal year" directing that the money shall
he disbursed by the Secretary OF the Interior
in the same manner that appropriations are
dsbursed in the other Territories Of the United
States" List Congress. Sess I, Chapter 49,.
Section &c
This is all Puerto Rico asks. Give it free
commerce, turn the proceeds OF customs duties
and Of the internal revenue collected in the ISL
and into the general Treasury, and pay there
from the expenses of the insular government.
Put the island on the footing as Oklahoma.
and 1 Will warrant that Puerto Ricans will not
complain.
Under Spanish dominion. Puerto Rico had all
The proceeds or customs duties, direct taxes,
licenses etc, and from them paid nearly 800, 900
pesos for colonial oversight, pensions, etc, at
Madrid. and large sums for the support Of the
army and navy, the Church, etc. 1t not only
made both ends meet but had money to lend
the mother country on several occasions. II is
able, under ordinary conditions to pay it's own
way. and asks not what you call "uncommonly
generous" treatment. but simply ordinary Jus
1Ice. I hope it viii get it.
II. x CARROLL
Special Commissioner of the United States to
Puerto Rico.
Plainheld, n. J., Feb. IA, 1900.
I'VE have elsewhere discussed the plea for
free trade with Puerto Rico, and the contention
that under Spanish rule the island got better
treatment than the United States proposes TO
give #, end have disposed Of them the basis
of facts furnished by DR.. Carroll the writer of
the above letter, himself AS to the demand
that Puerto Rico shall be put the foot
ing as Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma,
that is precisely the thing that should not be
done Those Territories are Territories Of the
United States. under the Constitution of the
United States and in a way time to be-
come States of this Union Puerto Rico IS not
such a Territory, is not under the Constitution,
and is not and should not be put in the way Of
becoming a State in this Union. To put it in
such a way would not be simply ordinary JUS
tice" but uncommonly and amazingly generous
treatment-so generous as to be foolish and in
sane. We hope # viii not get t.-Ed-l