The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-06
ghe aoaiehta a1u gao aa1eamesdau lormno nsr g. 1889

by the people of this island is described
by competent lawyers who are familiar
with it, as thoroughly modern and sci
entific, so far as it relates TO matters OF
internal business. trade, production and
social and private rights in general. The
cities of the ISLAND are governed under
charters which probably require very lit
tie or no change. So that, with relation
TO matters Of local concern and private
right, it is not probable that much, if any,
legislation is desirable, but with refer
ence to public administration and the re-
lations of the islands to the federal gov
eminent there are many matters which
are of pressing urgency. The same ne
cessity exists for legislation on the part
of congress to establish federal courts
/ and federal Jurisdiction in the island as
has been previously pointed out with ref
erence TO Hawaii. Besides the admins
| tration of justice there are subjects OF
public lands; the control and improve
ment of rivers and harbors; the control
of the waters or streams noAnavigable,
which. under the Spanish law belonged
to the crown of Spain and have by the
treaty Of cession passed to the United
States; the immigration of people from
foreign countries; the importation OF con-
tract labor; the imposition and collection
of internal revenue; the application Of
the navigation laws; the regulation Of the
current money; the establishment OF
postoffices and post roads; the regulation
OF tariff rates on merchandise imported
from the islands into the United States;
the establishment Of ports of entry and
delivery; the regulation of patents and
copyrights; these, with various other sub
jects which rest entirely within the pow
er of the congress. call for careful consid-
FREE TRADE WITH PORTO RICO.
1t must be borne in mind that since the
cession Porto Rico has been denied the
principal markets she had long enjoyed
and our tariffs have been continued
against her products as when she was
under Spanish sovereignty. The markets
of Spain are closed to her products ex-
cept upon terms to which the commerce
Of all nations is subjected. The island OF
Cuba, which used to buy her cattle and
tobacco without customs duties. now I'm
poses the same duties upon these products
as from any other country entering her
ports. She has therefore lost in her free
intercourse with Spain and Cuba with
out any compensating benefits in this
market. Her coffee was little known and
not IN use by our people, and therefore
there was no demand here for this, one
Of the United States should be opened
up to her products. Our plain duty Is
to abolish all tariff customs between the
United States and Porto Rico and give
her products free access to our markets.
THE HURRICANE IN AUGUST.
As a result of the hurricane which
swept over Porto Rico on the 18th OF
August, 1899, over 10000 people were re-
Quoted to absolute restitution. without
homes and deprived of the necessaries
of life. To the appeal Of the war de-
partment the people of the United States
made prompt and generous response. In
addition to the private charity of our
people, the war department mas expend-
ed for the relief Of the distressed $780,
1928 which does not include the cost of
transportation.
CIVIL RULE FOR MILITARY.
It is desirable that the government Of
the island under the law of belligerent
right, now maintained through the exec
utive department, should be superseded
by an administration entirely civil in its
nature For present purposes I recon-
mend that congress pass a law for the
organization of a temporry government, I
which shall provide for the appointment
by the president, subject to confirmation
by the senate, of a governor and such /
other officers as the general administra- /
ton of the island may require and that /,
for legislative purposes on subjects of a /
local nature not partaking of a federal I
character, a legislative council. composed /
partly Of Porto Ricans and partly of cit !
liens OF the United States, shall be NOM
mated and appointed by the president, /
subject to confirmation by the senate. /
their acts to be subject to the approval ,
of the congress or the president prior 7.
to going into effect. In the municipah- /
ties and other local subdivisions I rec /
ommend that the principle Of local self !
government be applied at once so as to /
enable the intelligent citizens Of the Is (
land to participate in their own govern
ment and TO learn by practical expert
ence the duties and requirements of
self-contained and a self-governing peo-
pie.
NOT READY FOR SELF-RUIE.
I have not thought it wise to commit
the entire government of the island to
officers teselected by the people. because
1 doubt whether the inhabitants are
trained and experienced such as to fit
them to exercise at once so large a de-
gree Of self-government, but it is my
Judgment and expectation that they viii
soon arrive at an attainment Of expert
ence and wisdom and self-ccntrol that
will justify comforting upon them much
larger participation in the choice Of their
nsular officers.
THE FREE SCHOOL FOREVER.
The fundamental requirement for these
people. as for all people, is education. The
free schoolhouse is the best preceptor for
In the introduction Of mod
arn educational methods care. however.
must be exercised that changes be not
made too abruptly and that the history
and racial peculiarites Of the inhabitants
shall be given due weight. Systems Of
education in these new possessions found
"a on common sense methods, adapted to
existing conditions and looking to the ~
lure Improvements and industrial adj }
,ancement Of the people will commend TO
hem in peculiarly effective maner the
blessings Of free government.
ANF0US MATTERS