The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-13
D|SCORD n PORTO RICO.
POLITICIANS ARE SORE AT MUNI.
CIPAL APPOINTMENTS.
General Brooke II UpkeIA for De-
clfning - Grant Autononist Con-
stitustosal Privilege to Couneil

correspondence OF the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN DE- PORTO RICO, Dec. g.
The past week In San Juan has shown
certain developments in the general situa-
ton OF the island and drifting straws have
been seen which indicate the current of
growing discontens.
There has been much trouble al over
the island since the American government
assumed a military protectorate, concern
Ing the appointment OF mayors and coun-
ci,men 10 the different municipalities. OF
which there are III all seyenty-two. Men
SO appointed and those already In Office
have been resigntng and sQuabbiing among
themselves and expressing their displeas-
tire at the appointment OF some colleague.
The fact that Gen. Brooke declined to
grant TO the council OF Ponce the privf-
leges OF tf:e autonomist constitution which
they were arrogating to themselves Is
what rankles and is ever present In the
minds Of the defeated autonomists. The
accordance Of this privilege would have
been for them great victory. The best
judgment here sustains Brooke I'm this
action. II the privilege was granted TO
one council IL would have to be granted
to ali and each one Of Porto Rico's seven
ty-two municipalities. acting with the pow
er and latitude contemplated by the
autonomist platform would have brought
much confusion to the island.
lHe AUtUuOinist party Sel& up a pfOsoDS-
ed howl of discomfort in which. among
other things. they declared that Munoz
Rivera the leader of Gen. Brooke's cab
met, had betrayed them in so much as he
had nee1 his influence to bring about the
decision against their demands. Munoz
Is an element of political discord. Six
months ago he theatrical,y declared he
would die wrapped In the nag OF Spain
and he was the first Porto Rican to swear
x.exi 90
the present secretary of state and since
October II the head OF Gen. Brooke's ad-
visory board and the insu!ar affairs. He Is
a capable man and schemer He proba-
bly, long ago determined to be the political
ruler OF Porto Rico. The other members
OF the cabinet are Hernandez Lopez. Sal
vador Carbonel and DR. Coily Tosti These
men with the exception of DR.. Tosti who
was recently appointed on the resignation
OF Julian Blanco. former secretary of the
treasury. have been Gen. Brooke's advis-
ers since October Is They are all liberals
OF the same party as Munox and they owe
much to Munoz In the past Gen Brooke
was Of necessity dependent on these men
In forming opinions on local affairs con-
sequently IL was possible for them in
measure TO influence his Judgment
There is q mild hammered man named
Igiesias in Porto Rico who is called
socialist and anarchist. He advocated an
eight-hour day; that the state should
maintain women for a period preceding
and following childbirth and similar de-
mands. He works In the interests of labor
he brought about strikes among the work.
ing classes for higher wages. he has been
imprisoned under Spain and he Is in
prison today. The recent strike among
the typesetters In San Juan for an in
crease I'm wages was of his doing. Type
settlers were paid IS pesetas a month
There are old charges against Iglesias,
made some time during Spanish control in
which It Is said he maligned Munoz and
the government OF Spain. Soon after the
typesetters struck Iglesias was summoned
before Munoz and ordered by him to leave
the island forthwith. This Iglesias proper
~ declined to DO. Soon after he and the
editor OF a paper who supported him
were In JAIL where they have now been
for five days without trial or charges be-
Ing preferred. Such measures strongly re-
mind the Porto Ricans of the old days
OF Spanish rule and the cases mentioned
are not the only ones of arbitrary i'm
prisonment without the preferment OF
charges
Gen. Brooke Is about to leave Porto
Rico. He has had much TO contend with
here and while his health Is good he Is
wearied by the hard work he has done.
The best element in Porto Rico are alive
to his efforts In their behalf and are sor-
ry to see him go.
The last thing he did was to repeal the
royal dues on property. Gen. Guy Y.
Henry viii succeed him as governor in
the military department OF Porto Rico.
Each day seems 10 see more Americans
on the streets OF San Juan. The men
came first. then came the most venture
some Of the woman: now are coming
tiynid wives and even children.