The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-24
How Puerto Rico Benefits.

noW fucTto NlSO DCncIltSs
There is less being heard now from
Democratic sources about the. cruel
wrongs which have been done to the
people OF Puerto Rico by Republican
congress which gave them an autono-
nous government. which relieved them
from all share In the burdens of the
federal government. and which RENTS
to them the proceeds of all customs and
internal revenue collections for their
into working effect. and the Puerto
Ricans are realizing what they have
gained by a transfer OF their allegiance.
A manifesto recently issued by the
dominant political party in the islands
summarizes some of the exactions from
which they have secured relief as fol-
lows.
I'VE have no longer the stamped paper;
nor the dues on transfer of property;
nor the personal certificates; nor the
passport: nor the export duty: nor the
tax on professions. nor the import duty.
which Is now insignificant, and which IL
IL left to us to abolish: nor the tribute
To the crown of Spain; nor the tribute 10
the veragua race; nor the tribute TO the
ministry OF colonies; nor war tribute In
time of peace. and navy tribute without
navy: nor pensloned people (who were not
Puerto Ricans): nor mounted police
tguardia civiD; nor military courts TO try
ordinary and political offenses: nor al
caldes appointed by the government: nor
military governor"
on the other hand. Is pointed out
what the island has gained by the
Puerto Rican bill. which passed con-
gress despite the most strenuous OPP
position from Democrats. The follow
ing are few OF the advantages which
the Puerto Rlcans have already real
lied. and which they thoroughly APP
prceiate;
but we have the inviolabllity OF our
homes and the habeas corpus; the courts
Of justice. composed OF Puerto Rican
magistrates; the divorce law. which
guarantees domestic peace: uniform cur
fencys regularity In the exchange. postal
money orders. uniformity in the postal
stamp; the municipalities will be auton-
omous. we have suffrage; the extension
OF which IL left 10 us; we have Puerto
kican troops: an insular police composed
~ Puerto Rieaus: free justice, for which
the judges are responsible. without the
Inconvenience OF the prejudements: and
quick procedure. the modification OF
which Is left 70 us: and we have represen-
tnuon tn ihe executive council. even n
not exactly 20 the extent we deserve; ard
We have a house 81 representatives 70 leg
slate for the island"
Not sinsle intelligent Puerto Rican
could be found who would consent to
exchange the system OF government
under which the island Is az present
for the territorial system OF Arizona.
New Mexico or Oklahoma. The i'm
perlalism" which has produced such
satisfactory results In Puerto Rico pro-
poses to Institute parallel system for
the Philippines. Under II the individ-
ual inhabitants Of those islands will
have more OF liberty, more Of civn
rights and more n a share IN govern
ment than they could possibly have
under any system which they could
have for Themselves. and which mrs.
~ necessity be administered by men
who have never had practical expert
ence q any form q government. save
one made on the spanish model. which
the Fuertc Rlcans arr delighted 20 he
able 70 discard
n the people q the Philippine islands
could have an intelligent comp-ehsn-
sion o. wha, IS designed for them: n
they could Nc made aware Of the sys-
tenn which Is in force in Puerto Rico.
and understand that precisely such
system would be given them. they
would welcome American rule with the
heartiest thankfnlness But they are
constantly deluded by large share
OF the American press. and BIZ the
public utteranees Of the leaders Of one