BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-08-17
SAN JUAN, AUGUST ~, 1901.
Editorial Comment.

1t does not seem probable that there is
an Effective course of action open tc Sec
retary Gage in the matter of restoring the
customs duties which have now been spec
iically removed through due operation OF
the authority primarily exercised by the
United States congress in the passage OF
the Foraker law and subsequently, accord
ing to the provisions of that act, given
force and effect by the sovereign voice OF
the island legislature.
That the law will be carefully examined
by the Secretary of the Treasury aud the
most liberal construction possible placed
upon its terms, there can be no doubt, and
if legal warrant can be found for the res
toration of the five per cent duty on coffee
it will be done it is equally sure, but at
present it does not appear that such an
Interpretation of the law is reasonable
one. AS for presidential action, that can
not be hoped for, the chief executive has
no farther warrant of authority to set aside
the enactirenis Of congress than is posses
eod by any other citizen, he. is SIMPLY the
instrument through which the laws are en-
forced, not their. source, however much
power he may possess in originally shsp-
ing them.
Under the DINGHY act the president is
invested with authority to abate the duties
somwhat in certain specific cases and t.
make reciprocity treaties proposing 10 ex
tingush duties entirely, but such treaties
require the consent of the senate, and with
out this their provisions cannot be enfor-
ced.
AS it seems to US the present free trade
conditions must stand until congress meets
though we still hope that the American
authorities may be able TO SO literally cen
strue the law as to permit the continued
vying Of the tax.
Respecting any anticipated injury We may
receive from the free introduction Of the
Brazilian or other inferior cOffees here fo'
domestic use and sale that is not to be fear
I'd, oGr people will not use them, they
know and prefer their own product and
want 40 other, no matter how disguised
or how cheapiy offered Il is iu ihe ship
Ping Of this stuff out of the island as Por
TO Il can coffee, either clear or blended
with our own, that is cur peril and such
action should be prevented by every means
possible.
Olr merchants and planters should call
pubic meeting for the purpose of dis
sussng the pregnant question in all its
phases. boards OF trade shoald embody the
f,cs in suitable resolutions, and congress
be men -orialized to take action 10 our he
baf. Meanwhile Commissioner Dpgetau
at Washington should be thoroughly ms
tructed as to all matters involved as to
our needs and thus be enabled to present
them fully and convincingly before the com
mittees OF WAYS and Means, of the two
houses of congress in order that speedy
steps may be taken for The relief of our
mensced interests.
AS to boycots it is quesfionabfe whether
such oler. action is desirable or that II
could be made effective, we scarcely think
it will be necessary as in the presence #
such pronounced pubic opinion it is not
likely that farther lmportatious of Brazilian
or other coffee will he attempted by any one.
If it is attempted secretly publicity should
follow, a sure measure Of inviting an unpep.
ularity which no firm or individual would
care to deliberately invite.