The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-10
IS WORSE THAN SLAVERY
Gross Abuses of Labor Practiced on the
Sugar Piantations-short Weight
at All OF the stores-Henry
Calls q Conference.

II
ultimo he reports that the military au-
thorities are getting along fairly well
with customs collections. Everything
received have been deposited with De-
ford & Co.. financial agents Of
the government, and the amount now
on deposit aggregates more than $780,
900. Spanish customs officers have been
put to work at the various ports end
this system works satisfactorily. The
men, he adds, are honest and II is
thought by prominent officers that the
government is getting everything it
should.
Military officers at San Juan contend
that the reports that have reached the
United States concerning the outbreaks
and disturbances OF the peace on the
island are without substantial founda-
tion. During the evacuation there were
more or less disturbances of a rather
personal and private character, but the
situation now, Mr.. Vanderlip writes.
is as peaceable as it is In the United
States. Within a few days special re-
ports have been received from the may
ors of each municipality and they all
unite in the statement that the condi-
tions are entirely peaceable and the
people law-abiding. There have peen
some troubles on the west end of the
island, by political agitators, mainly
among emigrants from Hayti. who are
said to have a special faculty for TO-
menting discord, but at the present
time there is nothing serious, even in
that district.
The military authorities have been es-
pecially active in capturing some or
ganized bands of bandits, and IT is re-
garded as an especially good omen that
the natives are rendering their aid in
ferreting out these pople. A number
of bandits are confined in prison, and
will receive civil trial Possibly. some
of these cases may result in the execu-
ton Of the offenders and, in fact. our
military authoritis are inclined to be-
lieve that IL this sort of punishment
is ordered at the opening trials. little
more of this kind of disturbance will
occur in the islands
The American troops have, on the
whole. been well behaved and have, ac-
cording to the commanding officers, CIV
en- practically no trouble at all. 1t has
been tremendous, task getting the
civil administration OF affairs into op-
Grafton again. Practically all civil ad-
ministration was at a standstill after
the fall of the island. An endeavor
has been made to put the Spanish off,
cials, so far as could be done. back in
to their places and have civil admins
tration Of affairs go on as nearly as
possible I'm the usual routine. At
Ponce, where there are, says Mr.. Van
derlip. some specially sharp politicians.
they revived an obsolete autonomist
scheme of municipal government and
were all ready to put 1t into force.
General Brooke. however. found il Of
most rigorous and paternal character
and declined to permit its adoption,
whereupon IL of the 80 members of the
council resigned.
The commanding general has just COM
pleted the selection of their successors
and municipal affairs there will soon be
adjusted. The American commanding
officers have been Withdrawing guards
from the sugar plantations and they
think this is going to have a good ef-
feet. The condition of affairs, IL is said.
is worse than slavery at some of
these plantations. The work was done
by poems. who received IS pesetas a
day on an average and were then SUBJ
jected to the very worst type of COM
pany store" Those stores give short
weights in everything sold. Among
several hundred alleged pound pack
ages OF rice. weighed by American off,
Gals, there was not one which weighed
over three-fourths of a pound. Our Of
ficers made the owners of the planta-
tions show some sort of fair treatment
guards and have heard nothing further
about riots. 1t is thought that the
withdrawal of the guards from the
plantations will work a great improve
ment and that has practically been ac-
complished throughout the island.
General Guy v. Henry. military gov
ernor of the department OF Porto Rico,
in a series of letters to the council.
gives further details of the policy
which the mayors are urged to main
tain in the interest of public health
and order. He points out that the re-
sponsibilities have increased with the
increase of their field of action. No
person is TO be imprisoned without spe-
cific charges being preferred; all per-
sons now in prison without such
charges against them are to be freed:
customs duties and money values must
be regulated by the United States con-
gress. but the towns are to be improv-
ed by the adoption of American stand
ards. with a view Of educating the peo-
pie In patriotism and self-reliance: re-
sort to military power is to be had OIL
ly when absolutely necessary, and SOL
diers who do not respect the civil au-
thority are to be severely dealt with.
General Henry appeals to Porto Ricans
to smother their political differences
and unite in behalf of this country.
In a second letter the military gov
ernor says:
II am anxious to have the people feel
that they can be directly represented
here for the purpose Of complaints.
grievances and recommendations. At
present there seems to be a feeling that
the island is ruled by one-man power.
which is a relic of the Spanish system. I
desire to learn. so far as possible. the
views OF the people and therefore IN
struct the council to inform the may
ors that they must send here on or Le-
fore December 1 two delegates from
each mayoralty, one liberal and one
radical. to be chosen by the respective
municipal councils.
I'm the case Of town where the two