Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-07
PORTO R|CAN
GOVERNMENT
People Are Glad That It Will
Soon Be Civil.
TIRED OF THE MILITARY
Gen. Henry'S Order Regarding Tax
alton of Lands Causes Great
Deal of Dissatisfaction,
TIRED OF THE MILITARY

San Juan de Porto Rico, Jan. 27.-(Cor-
~respondence of the Associated PressD-
A feeling of satisfaction prevails in Porto
Rlco today. The cable announcement of
a colonial commission to administer the
affairs of Porto Rico and other former
Spanish possessions is regarded as a
movement toward the establishment of
a civil government. The writer has
spoken to the leading public men in Porto
Rico and they all talk enthusiastically of
the commission. They are anxious to be
rid of the military government.
In an interview held a few days before
the announcement of the communication
Munose Rivera, secretary of state, spoke
bitterly Of the disadvantages of the mill
tary government. He authorized the re-
porter to quote him as saying that if the
American government did not soon ter
inmate the military government and give
the people of Porto Rico a civil one to be
conducted by themselves that he would
favor a party of separatists. When ask
ed what he meant by the term 'separ-
atists' he said political separation was
meant. In speaking yesterday of the ac-
ton Of the president, Senior Rivera de-
clared that now there would be no cause
for complaint.
The protest against the military gov
eminent is not directed against the Off
GERS here who constitute it, but rather
that the reforms which Gen. Henry has
accomplished have not been worked out
by the Porto Ricans in their own way,
but by those who are ambitious to lead
their country in it's new and freer politi-
cal life. 1t is true that liberals like
Munose Rivera, who have been the ruling
power in Spanish times and radicals like
Matienzo Of Ponce and Rosy of a
Juan who have expected the United
States to favor their party, because here
tofore opposed to all that was Spanish,
have been disappointed that the govern
mental machinery has not been turned
over to them completely. Munose Rivera
has been on the point of resigning several
times, because of his limited power while
on the other hand the radicals have view
ed with silent suspicion and dissatisfac-
ton what they regarded as the over
shadoWing influence of their political OPP
ponents whose leaders form Gen. Henry'S
cabinet.
The recent order of Gen. Henry estab-
fishing a uniform rate of taxation on
lands has been received with some OPP
position on the ground hat the first-class
as classified by the order would impose
an intolerable burden upon some very
poor lands. 1t is said that the order was
framed by DR.. Coll Y Toste, the secretary
of finance, who elaborated upon Gen.
Henry's suggestion and the former is
made the object of criticism. In juStitica-
ton of the measure the doctor makes the
following defense:
1.-The general order of Gen. Henry es-
tablishing a system of taxation on LANDS
in Porto Rico is the most equitable we
have had since the last century for it
dispels all doubts and allows no escape to
those who with their plants and CLAIMS
every year endeavOr to elude the pay
ment of their taxes. They are almost al
WAYS the same Individuals. There is TO-
day an urgent necessity Of regulating
this tax without it's being burdensome &c
land holders and the most equitable way
OF doing it is the one ordered by Major
General Henry. It is advisable that the
order shall become operative from july
l. next. when our fiscal year begins anC
thus enough time is allowed the commls-
sioners and sub-commissioners OF the
different towns to make out their follS
correctly.
."The tax upon cattle breeding should b;
done away with as the pasture on Wh1cf
they Craze is already taxed ana because
if is to be desired that all kinds OF tax
ton upon cattle is abolished IN ofder 1t
,,ad,,ce the price of fresh meat and place
If within reach of the poorer classes, Wh'
TODAY are compelled to live upon a ole
of inferior salt fish. This land tax VII
WELD revenue of about l~,00o,ooo pesos
considerably less than the taxes pays ps
lands during the last 10 years TO the sla.'
and municipality