The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-04-24
TARIFF FOR COLONIES.
by Mr.. Robert Porter n
Philadelph

In Q recent address In Philadelphia, the
well known tariff expert. MIR. Robert
Porter, discussed tariff for our oolonlss az
follows: see
Mr.. Porter opened his address with
the declaration that The tariff ..poiicy Of
our new posses sions must first Of all be
framed to fit the country and the condi-
tions Of the people for which 1t intsndsd.
Unless this fundamental Idea 10 rigidly
followed there Will be endless complica-
tions and trouble"
Continuing, hs said:
"The territories which we have &C.
quired By conquest or purchass .and the
island which we have pledged ourselves
to pTotsot sgair 81 foreign aggression
though distinctly regulating Sovereignty
therein cannot be exploited for the ad-
vantage Of the United States. A policy
Of this sort which disrsgarded the rights
Of the inha bitAnts, would be following
the had exampl OF SEaiD."
Mr.. Porter then discussed briefly the
spanish custom system and applied to
SPANS colonial dependencies. its mis-
iakss and the ruinous results which fol-
lowed, and the didicultiss which the
United States found itself confronted
with when thess colonies passed into Its
hands. He declared 1t was not his In
tention to discuf the questions raised
by the settlem emit Of the tariff policy for
Puerto Rico, but saids
"To one dealing only with the practi-
cal side Of the question It would seem
strange that We should have NO other
alternative but to put around these Is
lands without any preparatory work. the
Constitution and laws Of the United
States. There IL no doubt In my mind
that under the Treaty Of Paris, Congress
was invested with full power to lsgislate
with respect to these islands and their
N ha hffa al N auah M a. Fraa -
deem wise, restrained only BY the general
spirit Of our Institution"
"The tariff policy" he continued, "of
our new possessions and Of Cuha-ths
government Of which We have been called
upon to adminjs.er-mus be more or
less modified by the future political rela-
lions OF these islsnds to the United
States. II Cuba, Porto Rico or the Phil
ippines were tomorrow declared part and
parcel Of the United States, subject TO
our Constitution and laws. what would
be the economic RESULT Porto Rico,
around whose unhappy had has recently
played all the thunder and lightning Of
sharp party debate, would be least
affected. From an economic point Of
view, the difference Of absolute free trade
between the United States and Porto
Rico and small rate Of duty is hardly
worth discussing. From y revenue stand
point, a small rate of duty for limited
period has decided advantages,
''It must be apparent to any Intelligent
person who has followed this Porto Rico
ds bate that there IL NO economic or fiscal
issue. The Presidents first proposition
Of absolute reciprocity OF trade would
have been Q simple solution Of the quss-
ton II the machinery for internal and
local revenue could have been put in
motion simultaneously TO the abolition
Of tariff duties. The plan to give the
Pres ident free hand In the matter and
authorize him to reduce the duty on
some Porto Rioo products imported into
the United States and make others free,
and to continue In force In the island a