The record-union., 1898-12-25


for the Conditions That Follow.
| Correspondence of the Associated Press)
SAN JUAN porto Rico), Dec. "a
General Guy V. Henry, Military Gov
ernor, has addressed two letters to the
President of the Insular Cabinet and
its members, announcing his future
policy.
He declares that as far as possible he
wishes to give independence of action
to the Mayors and Councils in the va
rious towns, and to hold them respon-
sible for the conditions that follow. He
lays especial stress upon the necessity
of cleansing the towns, and providing
for them an adequate policy.
1t is his intention, he says, to ap-
point to the Council only men who are
selected by the people or recommended
by the Council itself. In reference to
the methods of elections he is as yet
in doubt, but intimates that the suf-
frage will not be restricted to those
who can read and write, as only IA per
cent. of the people would be able to-
vote under this rule.
A man in office, General Henry an
nounces, will not be removed except for
cause. Should such removal become
necessary, he expects the Council to-
effect it, and will act himself only upon
the failure of the Council to do SO.
General Henry asks the Mayors how
many instructors they can pay who
can teach the English language. He
thinks that those unable to teach in
any other tongue than English can do
their work by object lessons. Ameri-
can women for teaching, he says, can
be obtained at $50 a month in gold, and
are well worth it.
The General declares it his purpose
to introduce a few American policemen
to teach native policemen their duty,
and to encourage them to exercise some
authority, (which at present they do
not seem desirous of doing"
General Henry announces that men
should not be putin jails unless charges
are brought against them. THE injus-
tice of holding men in Jail without
| charges" he says, "or putting them in
jail and holding them there without
trial, which seems to be the custom in
this country, cannot be too strongly
impressed upon the people, and will not
be allowed
Regarding military rule, General
Henry says: TT is the intention that
soldiers, so far as possible, shall pre-
serve law and order, but soon the
United States soldiers will not be need-
ed. The idea now is to educate the peo-
pie to take care of themselves. This,
of course, will take time but every
official resorting to violence in order
to protect himself in the performance
of his duty will be upheld by me. Sol
. diers who do not respect the civil au-l
thority will be severely dealt with
In his second letter General Henry
asks that the Mayors and Councils of
the various towns send delegates each
to San Juan to meet him on December
10Th. His purpose, he declares, is "tO.
give the people every latitude consist
ent with discipline and good order. D
wish to know What their views are,
and to grant their desires as far as
possible
While in Ponce General Henry att
tended a meeting of school children,
who were addressed on the subject OF
Christmas in the United States and
Christmas presents. The children were
asked what they would best like for
their Christmas presents. They an
swered that they would prefer teach
ers to anything else. This occurrence
has been reported to Mr.. Mckinley.
There is as yet no evidence of opposi-
tion to this general idea, but one al
ready begins to hear Porto Ricans opin-
ions against the desirability of substi-
tuting English for Spanish in the
schools
General Henry is going to put an
American army officer at the head OF
the San Juan department of street
cleaning and city sanitation. The act
ual work Of this department will still
remain under the jurisdiction of the
San Juan City Council, but the Ameri-
can officers will infuse in them new
ideas. good methods, and, above all,
energy This measure is one greatly
needed, and the results reasonably ex-
pected therefrom will make San Juan
much more agreeable as a residence to
Americans.
San Juan is an overcrowded city, and
army and navy officers have had much
difficulty in obtaining good quarters for
their families, and rents are advancing
rapidly and unduly. In the rural dis
tricts of P Rico flour costs to-day
about $15 barrel The reason of this
is traceable to duties and high munich
pal taxation, and it is these latter
which the new government will change.
There are many people in the coun-
try districts who are literally half
starved. General Henry will give re-
lief to these sufferers, even if he finds
it necessary to issue them rations. A
knowledge of this state of affairs would
serve to dispel some of our Illusions OF
fat and happy islanders scratching the
soil for bountfful living.
General Henry reduces the budget for
next year from four million pesos. as
under the Spanish regime, to ], ZOO, 600
pesos. He asks for authority to apply
the custom-house revenue to the inn
provement of roads and cleaning Of the
city.
Imprisonment for Life.
CtTITT T,TCOTHE (O) Dpc d - The