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 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 few days
ago. said:
SHOULD the present Congress adopt tariff
for Porto Rico against the recommendations OF
the Commissioners and of the President. and
against every mans sense Of justice and gener-
psity the orators Of sthe Democracy can say with
truth during the next CAMPAIGN that the trusts
r-ent down to Washington and gr6ppied the Re
publican party by the throat and made it chose
to 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
If we had only those dangers to consider, it
would be the part of wisdom to promote
the design for nothing could be better
adapted to secure the overthrow of Hanna
ism 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 popu-
sation OF million souls TO death by starva-
lion. Republican Representatives who in
tend to vote for the murder of the Porto
Rieans, as well as for the violation OF the
plain letter of fundamental national law,
must understand what they are doing.
They do understand. There is not an in
aividaal among them who has not read the
pregnant words of Governor-General Davis,
in his most recent report TO the Secretary
Of War. He said:
81 cannot in any words al my command
,tate the urgency and gravity of tine industrial
paralysis existing in Porto Rico
The only remedy for the industrial condition
I can suggest is the opening Of markets for the
Accumulated surplus Of productions and the
tablishment OF such trade conditions by Con.
gressiOnal legislation will give confidence to
Investors and encourage The Development Of the
natural resources.
Until this 3 done the paralysis must continue.
and the poor and helpless, in increasing numbers,
must be ted OF they viii starve to 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 bill-this
filthy spawn of the trusts and monopolies,
who count It victory and happiness to con-
sign the people of Porto Rico to starvation,
if. thereby. they can gain small addition
to their loot from the American people.
No man will give his voice for the vile
fniquity unknowing its offensive genesis.
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 recommendations,
and consistent with the rights of the ISL
and 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. Dalzell,
Grosyenor, and their kind experienced
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
consciences and some more or less elastic
sense O., respect for the Constitution. But
after the trust mandate was registered,
principles evaporated Immediately. and we
see the result in the most insidous and
perfidicns attack upon the foundation stone
OF our Institutions ever witnessed since
this country became a 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 will know that It
violates both the letter and the spirit of
the Constitution. On that proposition the
arguments and citations OF the Demo-
cratic leader. Mr.. Richardson. and OF that
honest Republican, NJ. Littlefeld. have
been conclusive beyond tSe possibility of a
doubt. VIII members OF the majority who
could not be bought to defy the bessie law
OF their country on a twenty-five per cent
basis now consent to commit the crime be-
cause it is reduced to the proportions OF
but fifteen per cent?
We are unable to believe that persons
with brains enough to enter Congress will
so stultify themselves. The act would be
as foolish as degrading. Nothing is more
certain than that. should the Payne bill
become law, 1t will be wiped of from the
statute books as soon as the Supreme
Court can pronounce upon 1t. That is a
matter OF common knowledge. The only
hope that the trusts could have in the