The sun., 1901-12-18
PHILIPPINE TARIFF DEBATE.
DEMOCRATIC MINORITY WOULD
ABANDON ISLANDS.
Chairman Payne Tells ef the Necessity OF
Prompt Action and tpholds Tart
Commission BIu-Bln VIII de Placed
on Its Passage This Afternoon.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE House to-
day entered upon It's first formal considera-
ton Of legislation in the Fifty-seventh
Congress, devoting the session to a dis
cusaon Of the bill fixing tariff upon COM
merce with the Philippine Islands. after
the general plan Of tho Porto Hcan tam
act OF 1900.
II established the tariff rates promul-
gated by the Philippine Commission last
month and suspended till further action
the prohibition against foreign vessels en-
"a ging in the coastwise trade.
The debate was notable for the develop
ment OF the position Of part Of the Demo
cratic minority, represented by Messrs.
Shafroth OF Colorado and DE Almond OF
Missouri, In favor Of the abandonment
OF the Philippines by the United States;
Mr.. Payne (Rep.. n. ", chairman OF
the Committee on Ways and Means. opened
the discussion. The bill was necessary at
this time, he said, owing to the recent de-
cision OF the Supreme Court that the Philip-
pines were not foreign country and mat
customs dues on imports from that terri
tory TO the United States could not be col
lected,. It also gave sanction 70 the tar'n
Mr. Payne contr asted the duties
existing under the old Spanish regime
With those established by the Tat Com
mission and which went into ehect ON
Nov. IS. The reduction ranged from 20
70 rs per cent, and the scheme was put INTO
force only after a years discussion and
criticism. The act continued the Spanish
method OF taxation OF imposing duty
upon certain exports, such as hemp and
sigar. The amount Of this tax collected
since American occupation began was
81 100 600 II seemed TO the Commission,
in view OF all the conditions existent in the
Islands, that II would be better to continue
this export tax than TO burden the people
with n land or internal revenue taI, which
would be unfair and oppressive. IL was not
In violation Of the Constitution, which
forbids a tax upon articles exported IRON
any State. for no one would cohtena thai
the Philippines were a state. IL had seemed
at first III at with time the Committee on
Ways and Means could prepare a more
bill than that OF the Taft Com
mission. but further examination led TO the
conclusion that that act was az good as any
that could be prepared here.
the world to witness the spectacle pre-
pented In the dealing OF the United States
With the Filipinos. They were. he said,
In the language OF the Indiana orator
ours and ours forever;
ours. but not Of us; ours 10 tax II they sold
anNtnlnK O US OuIb W 'oN s'Sy tONS".
ANYTHING Of us. We taxed 'em a comm
and a goin' and at both ends OF the route:
We stood TO them In the relation OF sainted
stepmother. lLaughter.l
Gen. Grosvenor, (Rep., 0hio) attacked
the accuracy OF figures set forth by Mr..
rhayer. that contrast the tax paid by the
residents Of the United States and those OF |
he Philippines. He had asserted. Grosvenor |
said, that the tar on beer In the United States |
was twice what II was In the Islands. The
'arts were that In the United States the tax |
was 81 90 and in the Philippines 81 90 barrel |
of 27 gallons
Less than two years ago, Grosvenor said. |
he Democrats denounced the Porto Rcan |
arifY bill as the most cruel thing ever per-
,etrated upon any country. yet the results
n that were the most munifioent In their
lpplicafion ever received by a dependent
,ountry. Then there was not a school
,ouse In Porto Rico, now there were 10000
'hildreu learning to read the English Ian
Nj. DeArmond, Dem. MOI denied that
he United States acquired the Philippine |
Islands as one Of the necessary results OF |
he Spanish war. He said:
we acquired them in folly. IA a whim. |
rithout judgment, consideration or neces-
ity. without prospect OF profit or honor to |
he United States. We hold them as a |
menace to our institutions, at immense |
,ost 70 our people To hold them means |
rouble. pain, expense and sorrow. Why |
rot legislate along the line Of letting the |
Islands go, giving the people elf-govern-
nentf'
The House adjourned at S. The debate |
will close at 4 o'clock Tomorrow and the |
Dill will be placed on itR massage