The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-03-08
An INFAMOUS COVENANT.


The assurance that President Mckinley
adheres to his original view, that there
should be free trade between the island OF
Puerto Rico and the United States is re-
Deated from Washington with owl-like
solemnity. In this, as in other coniunct-
ures OF his official career the president
has kept his fine ear glued to the earth
that the fointest rumbllngs of dscord-
ant public sentiment might not escape
him. He has heard something drop as the
ganlin OF the street would say. New Eng
land States and those OF the Middle West
are In open revolt The former are APP
plauding Littlefield Of Maine, who declares
that the constitution follows the flag; that
territory acquired by The United States Is
territory out OF which will some day be
carved a State and entitled to treatment
and government ms such and not a vassal
colony 20 be treated as monarchy would
dependency. The Middle West has an
exponent OF It's revolt in the person Of
Congressman Lorlmer OF Illinois. who.
like Littlehrld, could find no authority m
the constitution Tor discrimination against
Puerto Rico and no motive for 1t, except
in the wickedness Of trust greed Add 10
all this revolt the protest Of that stanch
administration organ, the Chicago times
Herald which boldly declares the presi-
dents consent to a compromise measure
Imposing any tariff restrictions whatever
on Puerto Rlcan goods, to be a "Momen-
tous Mistake, aud the unrest of the official
head Of the republican party can he
easily imagined. No wonder. therefore
that the president now comes forward with
the UNIQUE exclamation that he consented
TO compromise which merely reduced,
but did not eliminate. the tariff on Puerto
Rican goods, In order TO effect an early
decision OF the courts on an act of leeis-
lation which he knew In advance 10 be
unconstitutional. But II the presidents
explanation is unique, what must be said
of Secretary Root'se That worthy stems
TO the front with the statement that he
framed the Puerto Rican tariff blll be-
cause he was assured that Il was "the best
possible legislation" attamable under the
circumstances. What becomes OF the presi-
dents message declaration. in which no
frankly gave out to the country that there
Should be no discriminating tarln imposed
upon Puerto Riean goods aeeklng the omen
markets OF the United States? What he
comes of the highest obligations of ius.
tice and good faith" pronunelamento of
Secretary Root? Both are paving the way
Tor the chief executives signature to the
Puerto Rican iarin scheme, which both
are assured Will pass the senate. If II
aces not, the consideration which formed
mo basis OF the compromise measure. ana
or the president ana his soerStary's aband-
eminent Of a great principle. will have
iaiied VIVA, is that constellation?
simply this, as all the country knows
We the president Of the United States ana
me secretary OF war, will withdraw oh. (
lection TO tarlff bill DISCRIMINATING
sssAst The products OF Puerto Rico. pro-
vided you will give us for expenditure ~
me relief Of the island, at our own volt
lon and discretion, all duties collected OF
ruer'o Rlcan trade with the United
Since The time named In the cowardly
covenant. The passage OF the pnsrto
niean olli n the house was but ratiHca. 1
uon OF this diagraceful compact. Tho re
publican party. despite the vigorous ana .
umely protests OF honorable members Is
responsible for this iniquIty and whatever
me eventual fate Of the contemplate trade
IA 'ne senate, responsibility for It can no,
ne escaped II the bill passes the 4 H.
aye, which Is very likely, notwithstanding
'ne tremendous obieciops Of strong !,
puoheans ihroushout the country. Mr. ne.
Ainley viii sign. with the approval Of bis