Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-03
seth CONGRESS-
CONTINUED from page ~

are taxed under the power which the
treaty of Paris was manipulated so as
to give to Congress-the power which
has been thus abused.
The omnipotence of Congress over
the civil rights and political status of
100000 of people is grated on a
treaty, and the treaty is now alleged to
supercede even the constitution and 10
have become the supreme law of the
land. Against a claim so monStrous
and shocking to every sense Of consti-
tutonal law the people of the states
in the union will enter their solemn
and efficient protest"
Adverting to the proposed tariff on
Puerto Rican products, Bate declared
that the original bill provided for free
trade, but the trust took alarm and
the long and Shiny tentacles of the &C.
topus soon reached into the committee
room and all was lost.
The demand of the octupus-the
sugar interest was complied with. and
the Presidents recommendation was
sidetracked-trade in 10000 tons OF
Puerto Rico sugar, the prop
erty Of planters without inllu-
ence' with the committee was
submitted to the tax, while 300oo0 tons
of Hawaiian sugar, the property OF a
sugar king, is admitted free of all
duty.
THE debate on this bill has unveiled
the fact that the treaty of Paris has
given Spain the same trade privileges
that the United States may use-free
trade, if there is free trade between
the island and the states; while the
IN, los
with many foreign nations, stands
ready to open wide the Philippine door
into the United States. In that diem
ma this bungling treaty, | mean no dis
respect to it's trainers, has placed the
Republican party. 1t was that discoV-
cry which FASTENED the sugar and to-
bacco interests, as advanced counters.
to the committee room with the ulti-
matum of no more money for political
campaign unless barbed wire fence
was placed around the industries which
heretofore have put 50 much money
where it would do the most good
Cullom, Ill. addressed the Senate
briefly in support of the bill. After
discussing the situation in Puerto Rico.
noting especially the appropriation for
the islands inhabitants he said: THE
fact is the amount collected on the inn
ports from Puerto Rico which was
largely paid by the bankers and agents
of the American Sugar Refining 60.
and the tobacco trust, as l am in
formed, goes back to relieve distress
and help build up that country.
mo man can truthfully say that if
this bill shall become a law. Congress
is not dealing most literally with the
people Of Puerto Rico. 1t imposes no
hardships upon these people-it pro-
vdes the least possible rate Of duty
upon a few things in order to raise
little money to run their government
and that little only for a little while,
until they can get Il start in taking
care of themselves and by their own
system of taxation at which time alb
soute free trade is to be established
between the United States and the
island.
Let the truth be known. This whole
free trade scheme is nothing on earth
but a deception, a delusiOn and a snare
to make our people believe that we are
Expressing poor Puerto Rico. Any can
did man, I think. must admit that this
bill is in the interest of the people of
Puerto Rico"
Depew, n. Y. then began the deliv-
cry of his announced speech. He Wig
orously supported the pending measure
and was given cordial hearing.
He said in closing:
The whole question Of taxation is re-
mitted by this bill to the people and
government of Puerto Rico. Here is
the charter of Puerto Rico self GOV
eminent. 1t is the spear which pune
lures the huge ana Swaying balloon of
tyranny. oppression ana violations Of
the constitution and declaration Of in
dependence SO IabOriously blown out
and expanded in the last few weeks
While standing on the collapsed can
vas. and viewing its tragic notices
listen to the plain and passionl, -
words Of this bill
Section 9-And whenever the Lcgis-
lative Assembly of Puerto Rico shall
have enacted and put into operation a
system Of local taxation to meet tn
necessities of the government of Puer-
to Rico by this act established and
shall by resolution duly pass So notify
the President. he shall make prpcla-
nation thereof. and the rcupon all tar
iff duties on merchandise and articles
going into Puerto Rico from the United
States or coming into the United Stat s
from Puerto Rico shall cease, ana from
and after such date all such mcrchan-
disc and articles shall be entered At
the several ports of entry free If duty;
and in no event shall any such duty
be collected after the 1st day Of March
1902
In n word, what is all this content N
about? What Is the apple Of discor!
which is flashing some friends to fury
The President prop sd free trade. and
this bill gives free trade in all the nee
essaries Of life. III all implements aul
manufactures required for the rcsusi-
tation, development. and working of
industries. and a tariff amounting. on
the average. to 6 per cent upon their
market value on luxurieS.
This tariff comes off by operation OF
law in two years. and as much sooner
as the people Of the island. through
their own Legislature. decide to ab1l-
ish it. because they can raise the reVe-
nues necessary for the support of theil
government. their roads. and their
schools and for their general welfar
by direct taxation.
The Republican party stands upOr
the action of jefferson. Monroe. Jack
son, Polk. Pierce and Seward. tina
Congress has the mower 70 govern