Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-15
Conference on the Proposed Tariff for
Porto Rico.
PRESIDENT NOT 10 PRESS HIS VIEWS
VIII Sign Whatever Bill the Con-
gress Passes.
THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION

IlOuICeu tudl ut WOulu HOl continue CO
press his views as to the free admission OF
Porto Rican goods to this country. This
means the passage of the House bill impos-
ing tariff of % per cent of the DingIey
duties on Porto Rican products.
While still retaining his original views the
President will do nothing to widen the diff
ference of opinion between himself and
Congress.
Representatives Payne, DalzeN and Gros-
venor, leading republicans of the ways and
means committee Of the House. had long
conference with the President this morning
regarding the Porto Rican tariff. The sub
ject is bothering the republicans a great
deal The differences in opinion are not
confined to Washington, and it is known
that letters and kilograms are being re-
cei"ed daily for and against the proposition
of the republican congressional leaders.
This is the tirst important matter where
the President and the republicans in Con-
gress have been at material variance.
Heretofore they have been united on every
thing. 1t was natural that the leaders
standing which would not leave the party
open to attack and which would leave no
sore spots.
The Conference Today.
Messrs. Payne, Dalzen and Grosvcnor full
ly explained to the President the views
which led the committee to decide to i'm
pose a tariff on Porto Rican goods They
firmly maintained that the position taken
Is not dangerous one for the republicans
The President reiterated the position
taken in his message in December last
that the products of Porto Rico should be
admitted to this country free of duty, and
that the island should be put on practically
an equal footing in the sisterhood of states
and territories At the same time the Pres
ldent did not desire to be put in the light
OF opposing the wishes of majority of
his party in Congress and the country. He
would therefore put nothing in the way of
the imposition OF the small duty now con-
temolated.
1t is well known that the difference of
opinion could have gone to the extent of
threatened veto, but those who know the
Presidents inclination to bow 10 the wishes
and Will of the people say that he has taken
the path which he has followed since he
entered public life and becoming chief ex-
ecutive. He will not obstina tely and almost
sifgie-handed press his opinions. His party
can take the responsibility of it's action on
Porto Rico and he will share this responsi-
bllity,~ 1nasmuch as he will sign the meas
ure to be passed and see that it is car
ried out.
Cabinet Officers Views.
prominent member of the cabinet this
afternoon applauded the Presidents deter
views as to a Porto Rican tariff. He de-
clared that the republican party would be
abundantly able to defend its position upon
this matter, and If the question of votes
were considered, would gain instead of
lose. He declared that the mass of the peo-
PIE of Porto Rico ought to be satisfied.
The imposition of % per cent of the Ding
ley tax, he said, would be no heavier than
the 10 per cent ad valcrem charged by
Spain on products Of the island marketed in
that country. Congress is favoring the
poor people of the island when 1t fails to
impose the internal revenue taxes on the
people. If these taxes We're put on the
same as In this country, the tax would fall
heavily on the poor They would not and
could not feel the tariff tax. The payment
of this would fall largely upon the land
owners-the makers of sugar and tobacco.
IL sugar and tobacco We're admitted free,
the plantations would become exceedingly
valuable in the fact that they paid no tax
on their products.
More advantageous than everything else,
however, was that the bill provides that
the money collected as tariff duties is to
be kept in a separate fund for the use of
the needs of the island. This insured an
honest administration for the island and
the expenditure of all that was paid in.
Under the Spanish regime the people did
not know how much they got back of the
money paid in by them.
The cabinet official went on further to
say that if the internal revenue taxes had
been imposed on the island it would have
been necessary to hire many officials to
collect this, thereby putting the govern
ment to an expense. But in the collection
of the tariff duties there will be no addi-
tional expense. The customs officials at
the various ports will care for that without
extra cost.
The New Philippine Commission.
By request of the President, Senator Nc
Laurin of South Carolina visited the White
.;&l.
President Mr.. McLaurin was offered place
on the new Philippine commission, the
President saying that he had decided to
put southern democrat on the body, and
knew no one he had rather offer 1t to
than the junior senator from South Caro-
lima.
Senator McLaurin has taken the matter
under advisement, but it is said that he
has practically declined the offer. What
he said to the President was construed as
deciination. and the offer will be made to
one of several prominent southern men
now in the Presidents mind. Senator Nc
Laurins determination to remain in the
Senate Is based on political and personal
reasons. His wife's health is not good, and
he does not see how he could take his FAM
lily with him to the far east
Representative Underwood suggested a
southern man to the President for place
on the Paris commission, but all these
Senator Carter introduced large num-
ber Of Montana people to the President.
TOday's Nominations.
The President today sent the following
nominations to the Senate: James Allison
Of Kansas. to be commissioner to the inter-
national exposition at Paris.
Army: Volunteers-Hth Infantry-Lieut.
Col. A. S. Cummins, to be colonel; Maj. G.
L. Bryan. to be lieutenant colonel; Capt. L.
c. Scherer, to be major; First Lieut. q. F.
Collett to be captain; Second Lieut.. r. H.
Brewer, to be first lieutenant.
Thirty-sixth Infantry-To be secand Heu-
tenants, Sergt. Mail. NJ. Craig, First Sergt.
!. F. Costello, Sergt. ]. A.. Huntspan, Sergt
G. r. Young, Sergt. Maj. g. ]. Oden. To be
first lieutenants, Second Lieut.. Edw Nc
Gowan.
Regulars-Corps of Engineers-Maj. W. s.
Stanton, to be lieutenant colonel Can't. G..
w. Goethals, to be major; First Lieut.. c.
Keller, to be captain; Second Lieut., F, C.
Boggs, tr., to be first lieutenant
Subsistence department = Capt. D. L.
Brainard. to be major.
Departure of Gen. Shaftcr.
General Shafter returned here yesterday
from short visit to New York. He at
tended the Presidents reception last night,
and left today for San Francisco.