Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-04-13

tion. 1t locks as II IN the case OF Puer-
| 60 Rico the Constitution has followed
the flag very closely and as II the
Puerto Rlcans instead OF having taxa
ton without representation, were about
TO enjoy representation without taxa
ton THOMAS FITCH
Salt Lake city, April 10. 1900
The Deserot News, IN giving place to
the foregoing. neither disputes nor en-
dorses the statements OF arguments Il
contains on the tariff question This
paper has not entered any complaints
against the bin which has Just become
a law, but simply mentioned some Of It's
provisions and the positions taken by
the advocates and opponents Of the
measure.
What the law really establishes has
not been made clear by the press dis
patches. The synopsis given on Thurs
day is upset by the summary received
today. when the bin is received IN rs
entirety. as amended by the Senate
adopted by the House and signed by the
President, It will be safer 70 discuss
than appears at present
The constitutional rights and priv
ieges of the Puerto Ricans form
question that Is still open to dispute as
It has not been determined finally,
whether the Constitution is actually
extend over the new possession or not.
But It appears that Puerto Rico, under
the civil government now established
WIN not enjoy as much liberty as IS ex-
tended by the home Territorial system.
just as we stated on Thursday
The people elect but one House OF the
Legislature. They have no representa-
ton in Congress not even BY Dele
gate. The Commissioner whom they
may elect Is to be received al the de-
partments In Washington, but will not
possess the same privileges as sup
posed by Mr. Fitch lie will have no
seat or voice in the House Of Repre-
sentatlyes.
We do not know who has been flying |
all to pieces" over a "prohtless abstrac-
tion;" certainly not this paper or any Of |
its correspondents. Mr. Fitch probably |
alludes to some OF the strong antago-
nists Of the bin. The constitutional |
questions that have been discussed dur
ing the debate on the Puerto Rlcan bin |
we regard. however, as something more
than "prohtless distractions" We no.
tlce that so eminent an expounder Of |
the Constitution as ex-senator George |
q. Edmunds, has taken strong ground |
against the proposition that the Consi-
tuition does not extend by It's own force
over Puerto Rico. He contends that |
the people Of that part OF our domain
are to be treated, ION the basis Of alb
solute civil equality OF right and cir
with the citizens OF our
states and home Territories. He says;
Congress IS the creature Of the Con-
stitution and not the reverse" and he
argues that II the Constitution was ex-
tended over Puerto Rico merely by act
Of Congress, Il would be only "statu-
tory Constitution and nothing else, and |
a repeal Of the statute would extinguish
It,"
AS 20 the benefits 70 the Puerto
Ricans Of the tarlrf law now enacted
we have nothing to dispute II provides
for only temporary duties on given ar
ticles In two years there Is to be abb
solute free trade This may be effected
Just as soon as a local system Of taxa
zion Is established. rendering the tariff
for revenue now imposed unnecessary.
The law appears 10 have been passed
for the good of the islanders, and we
think Il viii be found TO work in that
direction All the same, the questions
involved in the relationship Of the new
OF this country to the Re-
public Of the United states, are GER
tainly Of sufficient Importance to de-
mand serious consideration.