The record-union., 1898-12-13

| Munoz Rivera, leader of General
Brooke's Cabinet, had betrayed them,
insomuch as he had used his influence
to bring about a decision against their
demands. =
Munoz is an element Of political dis
cord. Six months ago he theatrically
declared that. he would die wrapped in
the flag of Spain, but he was the first
Porto Rican to swear allegiance TO the
United States. He is the present Secre-
tary of State, and since October 17th
the head Of General Brooke's advisory
board on insular affairs. He is cap
able man, determined, energetic, force
ful, and a schemer He is ambitious,
and he probably long ago determined to
become the political ruler Of Porto Rico.
The other members of the Cabinet
are Hernandez Lopez, Salvador Car
oonel and Dr. Coil y Tosti. These men,
with the exception Of DR.. Coil Tosti,
who was recently appointed on the re-
| signation of Julian Blanco, former Sec
retary of the Treasury, have been Cen
eral Brookes advisers since October
18th. They are adj Liberals, of the
same party as MunoZ, and they owe
much to Munoz in the past. General
Brooke was of necessity dependent on
these men in forming opinions on local
affairs; consequently it was possible for
them, in a measure, to influence his
| Judgment
There is a mild hammered man named
lglesias in Porto Rico who is called a
socialist and anarchist He advocated
an eight-hour labor day; that the State
| should maintain women for a period
preceding and following childbirth, and
| similar propositions. He works in the
interests Of labor. He brought about
strikes among the working classes for
| higher wages; he had been imprisoned
under Spain, and he is in prison to-day.
The recent strike among the typeset-
ters in San Juan for an increase in
wages was Of his doing. Typesetters
were paid 30 pesetas a month. They
considered that they should have more,
and they struck for it. They have
been absolutely orderly, and have in no
way whatever disturbed the peace
| There are old charges against Igle-
sias, made some time during Spanish
1control, in which it is said that he ma
| lgned Munoz and the Government of
| Spain. Soon after the typesetters'
oeAAhC III san Juan tISlcSidS was SUM
moned before Munoz and ordered by
him to leave the island forthwith This
| Iglesias properly declined to do. Soon
| afterward he and the editor of paper
who supported him were in Jail, where
they have now been for five days with
out trial or charges being preferred.
Such measures strongly remind the
Porto Ricans of the old days of Span
ish rule, and the cases mentioned are
not the only ones of arbitrary imprison-
ment without the preferment of charges.
General Brooke is about 10 leave
Porto Rico. He has much to contend
| is worried by the hard work ha has
done. The best element IN rorto E:co
ere olive to his efforts in their behalf,
and are truly sorry to see him go. The
| last thing he did was to repeal the royal
duties on transfers of property, which
have been most unfair and discrimin-
ating contribution upon the people.
General Guy V. Henry, formerly of
Ponce, will succeed him as Governor in
the Military Department of Porto Rico.
Men will watch Governor Henry's ac-
tions with much interest for signs of
radical change in the present policy of
administration. The men who want
this radical change are daily growing
III numbers, and the news that comes
from TIE States that President McNin-
ley had decided to put American officers
in all high civil posts is generally We'll
accepted.
Each day seems to see more Ameri-