The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-05-15
GRIGGS EARNING
HIS SALARY.
He Puts Out a Ruling Through
War Department.
WILL KILL AMERICAN TRADE.

WILL KILL AMERICAN TRADE.
European Goods VIII Bs Sent Direct To
Porto Rico Instead of Giving Ameri-
can Vessels Something
To Do. =
Especial Correspondence.)
Washington, May 1O.-Another Of the
hidden beauties of the Porto Rican bill
has come to light. Whether 1t was hid
den from everyone Or only the general
public cannot be said with certainty.
What is certain is that 1t rebounds to
the advantage Of the trusts and corpora
tions which seek to exploit the island
for their own benefit. But then, this Is
is only what was to be expected.
dound to the advantage of the rich and
strong. Perhaps this is because they
can pay for their discovery.
The discovery is that the Porto Rican
bill, so iar from reducing the Dingley
tariff rates, really increases them in
certain instances. The treasury depart
ment has decided that goods sent from
Europe to Porto Rico via an American
port, where they are transshipped, must
pay not only the full Dingley rates
but Is per cent additional. Goods sent
direct from Europe to Porto Rica pay
or ly the Dingley rate. This decision Is
given boldly without explanation or
argument. Although 1t comes from the
treasury department. 1t reads as though
written by Attorney General Griggs.
It's effect will be to enable the trusts to
put the screws even more firmly on
the Porto Ricans, and will be disas-
trous to the shipping trade Of the United
States to boot.
There Is only one line of steamers
plying from Europe to Porto Rico at
present and until this decision was
rendered no more were likely to be put
on. Any exports to the island from out
SIDE the United States would naturally
be sert to New York and then forward
ed by an American line-one Of those
which the wonderful shipping bill is
designed to encourage. But. accord
ing to the treasury department, q
penalty Of 16 per cent is exacted, In
addition to the Dingley rates, from
foreigners who desire to furnish car.
goes to our vessels. This is a wonder.
full regulation. AS Mulvaney would
say, it is "a very Solomon Of a regula.
tion."
1t is only in keeping with this re-
markable administration, however
and Is no worse bunco than any othel
scheme which the esteemed New Yorl
Tribune has recently set forth will
every appear ance Of anger. Accord
ing to this the army law of 1899 doe'
not provide for the reduction of th'
regular army to its dimensions prio
to 1898, as is now popularity supposed
Experts say that only the rank ant
file will be reduced to $4,000 men; tina
there is thimblerigging phraseolog!
. In the law which retains all the ad
disional officers in the service. Inves
tigation appears to confirm this as
sertion.
II will be remembered that in th
expiring hours Of the LVth congress
by tte agency of a conference com
, mittee a law was rushed through con
tanning a clause which provided tina
on and after July ], 1901, "all tn
, general, staff and line officers appoint
ed 70 the amy under this act shall b.
dischaig ged and the numbers restores
in each grade to those existing at tn
passage of this act. and the enlisted
force of the line of the army shall b
reduced to the number as provided 70
by a law prior to April 1, 1885,"
This was undoubtedly intended t
: compel, the reduction of the enlisted
strength to the old minimum unles
the present congress provides differ
emily, and also the muster out Of tn
volunteer soldiery. But few, IL any
of the additional regular officers re
quired for the Spanish and Philippin
: war will, can or are intended to be dis
charged under it's povisions.
II there were nothing else, the follow
ing proviso alone would protect three
fourths of the additional officers fror
muster out under the foregoing para
graph: "And, provided further that n
officer who has been or may be, promo
ted under existing law, or under tn
rules of seniority. shall be disturbed Il
, his rank"
1t goes almost without saying that a
officer who cannot be disturbed Il
his rank" cannot be discharged fror
the service. The foregoing Is the fina
proviso of the whole act Therefore
as TO officer can be discharged who ha
been promoted by law or seniority
, whether appointed "under this act o
some other act, and as all Of them, wit
!, the exception of the second lieutenants
have been promoted one or more grades
1t is agreed that all such will retail
!. their places. This Is pure casuism,
, course, but Attorney General Griggs ca
. be depended upon to construe 1t as ou
imperial president desires and the of
!, ficers will hold their places.
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M'KINLEY DECLINES.