The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-26


difficulty but is by no means ominous
of party schism. 1t is a situa ion which
calls for conference and concession
rather than for dogmatic assertion Of
stubborn opinion. Before Tuesdays
vote is reached basis of compromise
will undoubtedly be found which will
restore party unity and good feeling.
Speaking at Chicago on Thursday
last, President Schurman, OF Cornell
voiced frankly the attitude of those
opposed to the proposed revenue tariff
policy for Puerto Rico. 1T is to be
settled within the next few years" he
said, whether we shall treat the people
in the Philippine islands and the peo-
pie of Puerto Rico justly and gener-
ously, or whether we shall exploit them
for our own convenience and for the
enrichment of certain classes The cry
of our next political campaign will be
'anti-imperialism and ANTITRUST and
/ believe, sir, with reference to Puerto
Rico, that President Mckinley is right
and that congress is wrong. Perhaps
you will permit me to say that l see
no such danger before the Republican
party in the forthcoming campaign as
this. that its critics will say, if this
congressional measure now pending
goes through, that two of the greatest
trusts Of the country went to congress
and forbade it to pass the humans
tartan and equitable recommendation
Of the president of the United States.
We hold Puerto Rico, and we hold the
Philippine islands in trust for the bene-
fit of their inhabitants. We are now
on trial before the forum of the world
The world has witnessed great exper;-
ments. 1t has seen England lose her
thirteen colonies, now the United
states Of America, because she would
govern them for her interests and not
for theirs. and we shall lose, and de-
serve to lose, our empire, unless we
learn to govern them in their interest
and not in ours. But, Mr.. President. I
nave confidence in the good sense and
in the sense of justice of the American
people, and that they will back the
president Of the United States in his
Just and equitable recommendation re-
garding the islands of Puerto Rico"
similar though more emphatic pro-
nouncement is made by a paper very
close to the president, the Chicago
Times Herald. Popular sentiment re.
nected in the press of the Northwest.
"hich is the seat of Republican
strength in congress. demands" saws
Mr.. kohlsaats journal in double leads.
the abolition of all customs tariffs
between the United States and Puerto
RICO It takes no stock in any pretense
tho | free trade between the island and
our markets would be a precedent that
might return to plague us when it be-
comes necessary to deal with Cuba and
the Philippines. Congress can deal with
these knotty problems when they arise.
President Mckinley cannot afford m
mistake the clamor of the sugar ana
tobacco lobby for the voice of tba
American people. If the committee hill,
comes to him in it's present shape moth
ing short of an absolute and uncom. m.
promising veto will save him from the
ugly charge of sacrificing plain duty
to the sordid demands of two nro.
tected industries, already in bad oaor
with the American people. For politi-
cal erect the president could not wish
congress to do him a greater service
than TO give him an opportunity IN
smitc the 25 per cent. Puerto Rico com.
promise tariff with a Clean-cut, ringing
American veto. The mere hint of sucb
an intention would defeat this nm
worthy legislation for the estrange-
ment and spoliation of Puerto Rico"
Here are assertions, one by a man
holding peculiarly confidential rAlations
with the president, and the other bv =
paper whose owner is one of Mr.. Nc
kinley's most intimate friends c,p.
currently charging the tobacco and
sugar trusts with responsibility for
oVerturning the presidents free trade
Recommendation and of putting in
place of it revenue tariff. They imnlv
that the Republican leadership in con-
gress is under the control of these
trusts; that Mr.. Payne for instance,
who introduced originally a free trade
4
and took in hand the 20 per cent. tarisr
bill; General Grosvenor, Mr.. Lacey and
the other foremost Republicans who
have stood behind the pending measure
are either guilty of unworthy motives
or else lack the manhood to stand fort,,
for the right. We are not prepared IN
believe this, we don't think that Presi i.
| dent Schurman, Editor Kohlsaat or the
| other Republicans who oppose the o.
per cent. tariff can really believe this
we wonder II they realize what a
weapon they are putting into the hands
of the opposition.
AS 1t seems to us, the difference be .
tween those who advocate a fiat free
trade arrangement with Puerto Rico
and those who propose a low tariff rate.
all the proceeds of which are to be
turned into the Puerto Rican treasury
Is one which can be explained without
imputing corrupt motives to anybody
1t is 4 difference in method but not a
i'dinerence in intention. Nobody desirrs