The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1900-02-20
coNGREssMAN PAYNE.

Whatever differences there may have
been as to the policy of annexing the
Philippine Islands, ! know of no opposi
tion anywhere To the annexation of this
gem of the Antilles.
This bill hy its terms relates only to
the island of Porto Rico. 1t cannot be
taken as Il prccctlent-of any Legislative
action in reference to the Philippine Is
lands when the present instruction shall
have been overcome, except in so far as
we assert in it our view of our power un.
der the American constitution.
'-All agree that the first and most i'm
portant duty we owe to the people OF
Porto Rico is to open up markets fol
them. In no other way can we allay thu
feeling of discomfort likely to arise among
Il people who have realized so little in the
change from Spanish oppression of 400
years to the prosperity and liberty which
follow the American flag.
THE original bill, introduced on tho
18th day of January last, provided that
the customs laws of the United States
and the internal revenue laws be extend
ed to Porto Rico The idea was to give
the producer of sugar the free entrance
of this staple into the United States, saw
ing a duty of over $50 ton. Under that
bill the duty saved upon tobacco woulG
be 80 cents per pound for the main por
tion of the crop and for the wrapper.
S1.S5 per pound.
Not Enough Revenue.
"After consultation with General Da
Wis, the present military governor, who
has made n careful study of the cond
tions in Porto Rico, it was found thai
this action would not produce sufficient
revenue to meet the expenses of the gov
eminent. He estimated that not moro
than S1,000.000 could be collected from
both customs duties and internal revenu,
tax. This sum would not pay the bare
expenses Of the government, without an
propriating dollar for the public school.
or roads.
''The substitute was then brought for
ward, which imposes duty equal to oul
own tariff upon all articles imported from
abroad other than those of the United
States into Porto Rico and duty equa
to % per centum of the rates Of our owl
| tariff laws on all articles imported into
Porto Rico fromthe United States or from
Porto Rico into the United States The
best estimates that can be obtained show
that this Will produce revenue of 81,
100000 from customs duties, which, add
ed to the internal revenues Of the is
| lands. will produce $2,500,000, a sum suf
tcient TO pay all the expenses Of the gov
eminent, including the postal service ant
also S325,000 for the public schools.
The total estimate of General Dayi
for the expenditures is $1,950,000 Tn,
original bill, therefore, it would seem
! means bankrupt treasury; the substi
tute, a surplus of 100000, which will
meet some OF the pressing needs for tn,
| establishment OF common schools. Th
remission of % per centum of the dutie
on sugar and tobacco which are nov
| paid means an annual increase of incom
to these people of $2,300000. Thi
means the lifting of mortgage from
many a small plantation, better wage
for the laborers, more money in circula
ton and greater general prosperity.
| means hope instead OF despair. 1t mean
1 encouragement to the other agrieulturists
| who win be stimulated by the prosperit,
| Of their neighbors TO restore their owl
broken fortunes"
Ban Francisco, Feb. 19.-The battle
ship Wisconsin, now building at the Tn
ION Iron works, is fast nearing oompls
tiep. She win probably be Sssdy fer he