The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-12-10
PORTO RICO REVENUES
Assislsnt Secretary vandersiip &-Aes an
Informal Report on THEM.

IN the United states from foEto tlco
next Monday has made preliminary and
informal report 60 Secretary Gage Of his
observations in that island Under date
Of the 9th ultimo, he reports that the
military authorities are getting along
fairly well with custome collections.
Everything received has been deposited
with Deford y Co financial agents OF the
government. and the amount now ON de-
post aggregates more than 800 900. Span.
ish custom officials have been put to work
at tho various ports and this system
works satisfactorily. The men he writes,
are honest. and 1t Is thought by promin-
ent military officials that the government
is getting every thing 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 is
land arc without substantial foundation
During the evacuation there were more
or less disturbances OF rather personal
and private character but the situation.
now. Mr. Vanderlip writes, rs as peace
ablc az It is In the United states within
few days special reports have been
received in the statement that the con-
ldltions are entirely peaceable and the peo-
pie law-abiding. There nave been some
troubles on the west end Of the island by
political agitators mainly among emil
grants from Hayti. who are said to have
a faculty Of foementing dlscord, but at
the present time there ls nothing serious
orites have been especially active IN cop-
turing some organized bands Of bandits,
/ and It is regarded as an especially good
onsen that the natives are rendering their
aid m ferreting out these people num-
Der OF bandits are confined in prison and
will receive clvl trial Possibly some or
these cases may result IN the execution OF
the offondrs. and. in fact. our mintery
authorities are inclined to believe that II
this sort Of punishment is ordered at tho
looening trials little more OF this kind OF
disturbance win occur in the island.
The American troops nave on the whole
lbeen well behaved and have according to
the testimony og commanding officers
given practically no trouble at all It has
been a tremendous task getting the civll
! administration OF affairs into operation
again. Practically all civil admlnis,ra-
tion was at a standstnl after the fall OF
the island. An endeavor has been made
to put the Spanish officials, no far as
could be done, back into their places and
have the clvn administration Of affairs 70
on as nearly as poaible In the usual rou
tine. At Ponce. wnsre there are, say'
Mr.. vanderilp, some specially sharp poll
tlcians they revived m ts5,oiuto autonoH
list sclsme OF municipal government an'
were all ready 10 put Il into force Gen
eral Brooke however. found It ~ mos
rigorous and pa tornai character and dc
clIned TO permit it's adoption. VIII oret'poi
II OF the 30 members Of the counsel re-
signed The commanding general hai
Just completed the selection Of their sue
cessors and municipal ahNira there VII
soon be adjusted.
Tho American commanding ofncer
have been Withdrawing guards from th
sugar splantations. and they thin X this !
going to ave good effect The G, 1nditioi
OF AFFAIRS, 1t Is stated is worse thar
slavery at some OF these plantations Ia
work was done BY ''peons". who rees'v
55 pesetas a day on an average and were
then subjected to tho very worst TYP OF
company store"
Those stores give short weights In ov-
erything. Among several hundred alleg-
ed pound packages of rico weighed by
American officials, there was not one
which weighed over three fourths Of a
pound. Our officers made the owners Of
the plantation show some sort OF fair
treatment 10 tho poems. refused the re-
quest for guards and have heard nothing
further abouts riots. II is fought that
the withdrawal OF the guards from the
plantations VIII work a great improve
plished pactically throughout tho island.