The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-28

The Porto Rfcnn Bill.
Before Republican members OF the House
Of Representatives answer the roll call,
and vote upon the oil, sugar, tobacco.
and rum trusts proposition to subject an
American territory to famine and Incl
dentally trample the Constitution OF the
United States under foot. they would do
well to ponder the words Of a man much
respected in their party. and one who has
been Identified in a distinguished manner
with its achievements under the NJ Kinley
Administration. The Hon. Jacob s. Sehur-
man Chairman Of the first Philippine Com
mission. and President Of Cornell Univer-
sity. in an interview in Detroit a few days
ago, said:
should the present Congress adopt a tariff
for Porto Rico against the recommendations II
tie Commissioner and Of the President. and
against every mans sense Of justice and geneI-
nsity, the orators of the Democracy can say with
truth during the next campaign that the trusts
rent down to Washington and Erapp.ed the Re
publican party by the throat and made il chose
~ their advantage
President Schurman warns the legisla-
tive agents and creatures Of the trusts and
monopolies OF the dangers to their party
IN the next Presidential canvass involved
IN the crime they are urging it TO commit.
II we had only those dangers to consider, It
would be the part Of wisdom to promote
he design: for nothing could be better
adapted to secure the overthrow OF Hanna
.sm at the polls in November. 1t happens
however. that we must think Of the awful
conditions in Porto Rico. conditions solely
due TO the blasting curse Of Dingleyism,
which is driving an American island p0pu-
atiOn OF a million souls TO death by starva-
lion Republican Representatives who in
tend to vote for the murder Of the Porto
Ricans, as well as for the violation OF the
plain letter OF fundamental national law
must understand what they are doing
They dc understand There is not an in
aivid9al among them who has not read the
pregnant words OF Governor-GeneralD Davis,
in his most recent report 70 the Secretary
Of War. He said;
II cannot in any words at my command over
tiate the urgency and gravity Of the industrial
paralysis ROW existing in Porto Rico.
The only remedy for the industrial condition
l can suggest De- The opening az markets fox the
Accumulated surplus q productions and the
tablshmeat of such trade conditions by Coz
Eressiorsl legislation as will give confidence to
investors and encourage lhe Development Of the
natural resources
Until this is done the paralysis must continue
and the poor and helpless in increasing numbers,
must be ted or they vill starye 10 death"
We appeal, not TO Democrats or Republi-
cans in the House Of Representatives. as
such. but to the honest Americans IN that
body to join hands and fight and throttle
this Infamous and murderous biIl-this
filthy spawn Of the trusts and monopolies,
who count & victory and happiness to con-
sign the people Of Porto Rico TO starvation,
IT, thereby, they can gain a small addition
TO their loot from the American people.
No man will give his voice for the vile
Iniquity unknowing its offensive genesis
A few weeks ago President Mckinley in
his annual message TO Congress. said: Our
plain duty is to abolish all customs tariffs
between the United States and Porto Rico
and give her products free access to our
markets" The Secretary Of War urged
the same policy in even stronger language. /
The Ways and Means Committee Of the
House prepared and reported bill giving
effect TO the executive recommendation,
end consistent with the rights OF the ISL
aud under the Constitution. All the Ad-
ministration forces were agreed that no
tariff could legally be enacted against
American territory. Then the oil, sugar.
tobacco and rum trusts suddenly descend
ed on the Capital and gave notice at Re
publican headquarters that unless the
Constitution were violated and the Porto
Ricans in their condition OF famine ignor-
ed. they would refuse contributions to the
Republican corruption fund Of 1900.
How quickly Henderson. Payne. DalzeIl.
Grosyenor. and their kind experienced a
change OF heart How ready they were to
howl for the devastation OF Porto Rico. for
which a day before they had unctuously
professed sentiments Of equity and pity
Previously they had, or thought they had.
cousciences and some more or less elastic
sense OF respect for the Constitution. But.
after the trust mandate was registered.
principles evaporated Immediately. and we
see the result in the most insldioGs and
perhdious attack upon the foundation stone
o. our Institutions ever Witnessed since
this country became sovereign State
Under these conditions what Is the duty
OF an American Representative in Con
gress. IN relation TO the Payne bill? Every
man on the floor today viii know that It
violates both the letter and the spirit OF
the Constitution On that proposition the
arguments and citations cf the Demo-
cratic leader. Ar. Richardson. AID OF that
honest Republican. Mr.. LittlcGeld. have
been conclusive beyond the possibility OF a
doubt. VIII members OF the ma 1r.ty who
could not be bought to defy the bessie law
Of their country or twenty-five per cent
basis now consent to commit the crime be-
cause Il is reduced to the proportions OF
but fifteen per cent?
We are unable TO believe that persons
with brains enough TO enter Congress viii
50 stultify themselves. The act would be
as foolish as degrading. Nothing is more
certain thsn that. should the Payne bill
become a law. Il viii be wiped of from the
statute books as soon as the Supreme
Court can pronounce upon It. That Is a
matter OF common knowledge. The only
hope that the trusts could have in the