Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1913-10-09
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ship has been to give the Dominican government
more money for its purposes than 1t ever
had before, even in the days when 1t did not
pay cent its indebtedness. The first real
roads in the republic outside Of the towns, have
been built with funds supplied by the receiver
ship, and other public Improvements have been
made possible
What the receivership has really done for the
Dominican government is shown by the fact that
whereas the customs receipts only about
100000 year before the receIvership, the
receipts for 1919 were S3,64286l This is the
highest figure attained, and collections for
the first four months OF the present calendar
year indicate that the total receipts for 1913 will
exceed $4,000,000.
w. E. Pulam Mr. Vicks predece ssor, effected
many reforms in the administration of the Do
mincan customs which will assist Mr. Wick
materially when he takes charge 1t was found
that one reason for the small receipts lay in the
dishonesty Of the collectors. The men whom the
American receiver expelled from the service
found difficulty in understanding why there
should be any objection TO their modest pecula-
tons. Similarly, 1t found that other men
In the customs service grating by permit
ting goods to enter without duty upon payment
of tribute to them. This, of course. many I'M
porters only too glad to do.
One of the remarkable features Of the effects
of the recevership is that receipts were increas-
ed through the reduction of the customs dues.
cut of so per cent made In the export
duties and reduction Of Is per cent in the Inn
pert duties. The result TO increase both
exports and imports.
The former receivergenera found that while
such articles champagne. silks and automo
biles. used solely by the rich. being admit
ted practically duty free the cotton cloths. which
the sole source of clothes for the poorer
classes, we're being taxed almost 100 per cent.
Mr.. Pulliam induced the Dominican government
to reverse this arrangement, with salutary effect
both upon the condition OF the poorer people and
upon the state of the treasury.
Though Mr.. Wick will be the head of the only
non-politcal government department in all Latin
America custodian of the customs receipts
he will really be tremendous factor In the po-
litical stability of the republic. With the Amer
lean minister he is the personihcation OF the
pledge OF the United States that The Dominican
government shall conduct Itself honorably in It's
financial obligations to foreigners The Office OF
the recevergeneral and the American legation
in Santo Domingo city are the bulwarks Of Do
minican stability, peace and good government
AS result OF this peculiar relation of the
United States to santo Domingo the Washington
authorities have been obliged to take friendly
hand In the settlement of the Dominican polit
cal troubles The rebellion which followed the
tyrannical rule OF Eladio Victoria and his die
tator-like nephew, Elfredo Yictoria--the latter a
soldier who got into power in the confusion fol-
lowing the assassination OF President Caceres--
was really settled through the intercession OF
the United States. commission OF which Brig.
Gen Frank Mcintyre chief OF the bureau OF
insular affairs of the war department. was one
Of the members, brought about the compromise
by which President Victoria and his nephew re-
tired from the government and the prelate Of