The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-26
THE PORTO RICAN PROCLAMATION

The Presidents proclamation declaring
free trade between the United States and
Porto Rico is curiously worded. He does
not declare free trade nor the cessation
OF the tariff in so many words. but declares
that certain conditions OF the Foraker act
have been complied with and leaves the
rest to the operation of that act. The
effect is the same as If the President had
declared the existence of free trade in set
terms, but he does not assume that respon-
sibility. The provision of the Foraker law
on this subject is as follows:
Whenever the Legislative Assembly Of
Porto Rico shall have enacted and put into
operation a system OF local taxation 10
meet the necessities OF the government of
Porto Rico by this act established, and
shall by resolution duly passed so notify
the President. he shall make proclamation
thereof, and thereupOn all tariff duties on
merchandise and articles going into Porto
Rico from the United States or coming into
the United States from Porto Rico shall
cease, and from and after such date all
such merchandise and articles shall be en-
tered at the several ports of entry free of
duty.
Under this provision it was not necessary
for the President to announce that the
tariff between Porto Rico and the United
States was repealed; 1t was only necessary
for him to announce that certain acts had
been done which the Foraker bill provided
should work the repeal of the tariff. The
effect Of the Presidents proclamation is 10
make the Foraker act regarding the repeal
Of the tariff effective from the date of the
proclamation. These relate only
to the technical operation of the proclama-
IL = - ----1. e. ---
ccrned. the establishment of free trade
between the island and the United States.
the work is complete.
The Foraker law contains the following
provision:
That as soon as a civil government for
Porto Rico shall have been organized under
the provisioss of this act and notice thereof
shall have been given to the President, he
shall make proclamation thereof, and
thereafter all collections of duties ana
taxes in Porto Rico under the provisions
of this act shall be paid into the treasury
Of Porto Rico. to be expended as required
by lay for the geoAsrnment and benefit
treasury of the United States.
Under this provision the Presidents
proclamation works this important change
in the fiscal status of Porto Rico. viz.
That hereafter all duties and taxes COL
lected In the island will be paid into its
own treasury, subject to the control of its
own Legislature. instead of into the treas
ury of the United States. to be appropri-
ated for the island by Congress. This is
an important step toward the establish
ment of local government AS Porto Rico
is now a part of the United States, the
Dingley tariff rates apply on all products
brought into the island from foreign coun-
tries. with an addition of 5 cents pei
pound on imported coffee. All Of the rev
enue arising from these tariff duties will
be paid into the Porto Rican treasury for
the government and benefit of the island
This revenue may not be very large. as the
foreign imports into the island will not be
great. but it Will be a material addition to
the revenues of the island. Altogether
therefore, the Presidents proclamation
marks the beginning Of a new era of pros
perity and self-government for Porto Rico