The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-05-02
ARTHUR ROPES. General Editor
The Porto Rican Bill.

the Porto Rican bill as finally passed.
Some of these we're entirely erroneous.
A short synopsis of the bill, in respect
of its revenue and other features, is
here given.
The same custom duties are levied
on all goods entering Porto Rico from
countries other than the United States
as are levied on similar goods entering
the United States, except that coffee
entering Porto Rican ports is to pay a
duty of five cents pound. This duty
is to protect Porto Rican coffee from
the product of other countries, particu-
larly Brazil. Coffee enters the United
States free of duty.
All merchandise coming into the
United States from Porto Rico, or en-
tering Porto Rico from the United
States, is to pay fifteen per cent of the
present Dingley tariff rates; articles
which pay an internal revenue tax in
the United States must pay this inter-
nal revenue duty, also, while articles
from the United States going into
Porto Rico are subjected to any inter-
nal revenue there collected on that
class of articles.
One benefcent feature of the act ad-
mits to the impoverished islanders, free
of duty, such necessaries of life as
flour, bacon, Goldfish, fresh meats, ETC.;
also the articles, tools and materials
used in the production OF sugar, the
machinery and apparatus for making
and refining sugar, and long list of
agricultural tools and implements, and
other articles, including school furnit-
ure, which pertain to the comfort of
the people or are needed in the work
of the moral and material regen eration
of the island. In short, under the new
act, the P orto Ricans receive from the
United States free of any duty all these
important articles in addition to those
regularly upon the free list under the
Dingley law, while on other articles
they will pay but fifteen per cent, or
three.twentieths, of the regular Dingley
tariff rates; and, what is more import.
ant, they may put an end to the pay
ment of even this small duty at any
time they may desire, as the law spe-
officially provides that these duties shall
cease as soon as the Porto Rican legis-
lature shall have provided the neces-
sary revenue for the expenses of the
government of the island.
The duties collected under the &C.
are to be used, under the President,
for the government and benefit of
Porto Rico until the government of the
island has been organized; then the
revenue is to be paid into the local
treasury Of Porto Rico.
The governor is to be appointed by
the President and hold his Office for
four years, having the powers confert
red on governors of territories of the
United States, but is to make his re-
ports through the secretary of state to
the President.
An executive council, appointed by
the President and confirmed by the
Senate, consists of secretary, attorney
general, treasurer, auditor, commits
sioners of interior and education, and
five other persons to hold Office for four
years. The council is the upper branch
of the island legislature, five of whose
members shall be natives of Porto Rico.
The other branch, the house of dele
gates, consists of thirty-fve members,
elected biennially by the qualified
voters.
The judicial poweris vested in courts
already established, the chief justice
and associate justices and marshal to
be appointed by the President, judges
of the district courts and other officers
by the governor of Porto Rico. There
is also United States district court.
On the regular election day in No
vember, and every two years thereaf-
ter, Porto Rico may choose a commits
sioner to represent the island at Wash.
ington.
Now that the Porto Rican question
is becoming better understood by the
people, the very proper stand taken by
the Administration is duly appreciated.
The Democrats endeavored to forge
the Republicans to adopt the free trade
policy. Every effort was made to COM
pei the abandonment of the protective
principle, but without avail. Sugar,
tobacco, fruit, and any other agricul-
tural interest, can rest content and as
sured that, just as soon as it may ap.
pear that Porto Rican products inter.
fere in home markets with the home
farm crops, they will be fully protect.
ed. The principle of protection has
been retained, and that was the main
ohiant for which tho Adro;o;at.oA;o