The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-02
The Puerto Rican Bill.

The passage by the house of the
Puerto Rican bill closes the most in
teresting debate that has occurred at
this session. Albeit largely academic, the
discussion evoked theories OF the con-
stitution and its application to territory
acquired by conquest or purchase that
have never been as thoroughly ventl-
lated before.
On the constitutional question the
Republican position is the only one
that is either tenable or tolerable. In
main as Puerto Rico and the Philip
pines have been do not by that act ac-
quire all the privileges and immunities
OF citizens Of the United states. They
come within the Jurisdiction of con-
gress merely. and 1t has the right to
make such regulations for their gov
eminent and such dispositions OF rev.
enue for their benefit as 1t secs fit.
This being established. the question
what rate OF duty IL any. should be
imposed upon trade between these
countries and the United States be-
comes matter of expediency solely.
Doubtless a great majority Of our peo-
pie would have been glad to see all
duties on such commerce wiped out.
The men who voted for the collection
~ af he
our laws on trade with other countries,
or at least many OF them, would have
preferred IT, But II was a practical
condition that confronted them, and
they had to meet II in a practical way.
The industries OF Puerto Rico are lam
gushing and Its people are destitute be.
cause Of the uncertainties OF the situa-
tioh. The island has no revenues and
no means Of raising any Money II
must have. for its courts its schools.
Its civil government its public improve
ments. Where was that money to come
from? Either IL must be raised by tax
alton on the islanders or their business,
or IT must be taken from the treasury
Of the United States
II IL not our purpose to make these
new possessions dependent infants but
to help them to help themselves. The
people of Puerto Rico are in no con-
d.tion to bear direct taxation or to have
our internal revenue system extended
over them. Ruin and starvation are
threatening them. Therefore this small
tax has been laid upon commerce tenn
porarily. All the conditions surround
ing IL emphasize the purpose and the
necessity
The duties collected are 70 be but Is
per cent OF those imposed on Imports
into the United States. Even this small
lmpost is 20 last for two years only.
by which time there is hope that Puerto
Rico win have achieved sufficient In
dustrial prosperity TO supply its needed
revenue In any other form that may
may BE- collected on commerce with
Puerto Rico are explicitly Sc; aside and
appropriated fer the use OF the Puerto
Ricans themselves This disposes alb
solately Of the charge Of a selfish in.
ter.st ON our part and establishes the
character OF the act as purely relief
measure
With this explanation the people viii
see the necessity and the moderation
~ the action that congress has taken.
To ASSERT that the constitution at once
extends and applies In its fulaess and
| entirety TO all territory. however and
whenever acquired. would have been
disastrous in practice and absurd IN
theory, To leave Puerto Rico penniless
aud starving would have been criminal
| The Republican party has deal, with a
CRISIS by legislation appropriate 70 a
crisis; sound IN principle and limited Ia
! nfe 10 the duration OF the circumstances
that called for It, IT win unqnestion-
ably have the support and approval OF
the people Of the nation.
!
Perhaps the postal department may
| help 90 stir our local authorities 10 a
| llselier interest In the placarding o.
streets ana the numbering Of houses ir
1 S-.ag.ta .,N1ral