Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-05

self.government will undoubtedly very
soon exist, and will be facilitated by the
measures which | have recommended.
Government of Porto Rico.
recommend that legislation to the
same end be had with reference to thego
eminent of Porto Rico. The time is ripe
for the adoption OF temporary form of
government for this island, and many sug-
tions made with reference to Alaska are
applicable also to Porto Rico. The sys-
tenn of civil Jurisprudence now adopt
ed by the people OF this island is described
by competent lawyers who are familiar
with it, as thoroughly modern and scien-
tine, so far as it relates to matters of i'm
ternal business. trade, production and So
cial and private rights in general The
cities of the island are governed under
charters which probably require little or
no change. Sothatwith relation to matters
OF local concern and private right, it is not
probable that much, if any. legislation is
desirable but with reference TO public adj
minlstratlon and the relations the ISL
iinds to the federal government. there are
many matters which are of pressing urss-
ency. The same necessity exists for Legs
lslation on the part of congress to establish
federal courts and federal jurisdiction in
the island as has been previously pointed
/ out by me with reference to Hawaii. Be-
sides the administration Of justice. there
are the subjects of public lands: the con
troll and Improvement of rivers and har-
bors; the control of the waters or streams
not navigable. which, under the Spanish
law, belonged to the crown of Spain, and
have by treaty of cession passed to the
I United States: the imnli ration of people
from foreign countries: .theimportation of
contract labor: the imposition and collec-
ton of internal revenue: the appl cation
of the navigation laws: the regulation of
the current money: the establishment of
post Offices and post roads. the regulation
! OF tariff rates on merchandise imported
| from the island uto the United States: the
establishment of ports of entry and deliv-
cry: the regulation of patents and copy
rights these, with various other subjects
which rest entirely within the power of
the congress. call for careful consideration
and immediate action.
II 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 UNI
der Spanish sovereignty. The markets OF
4 Spain are closed to her products except
! upon terms to which the commerce of all
nations is subjected. The island of Cuba
\ which used to buy her cattle and tobacco
4 without customs duties, now imposes the
I same duties upon these products as from
4 any other country entering her ports. She
i has therefore lost her reeintercourses with
4 spain and Cuba without any compensa-
ting benefits in this market. Hercoffee
was little known and not in use by our
people. and therefore there was no de
4 mand for this, one of her chief products.
\ The markets of the United States should
he opened up to her products. Our plain
duty is TO abolish all customs tariffs be
b tween the United States and Porto Rico
and give her products free access to our
markets.
HE HURRICANE.
As u result OF the hurricane which swept
4 over Porto Rico on the sth of August.
ls99, over 100000 people were reduced 10
/ absolute restitution. without ZONES. and
deprived of the necessaries of life. 10 the
appeal OF the war department the people
of the United states made prompt and
generous response. In addition TO the
private charity of our people the war de
partlnent has eNpendedt tor the reliefef the
distressed 1852. :.}4.62. which does not IN
clude The cost of transportatio Tits de
sirable that the government of the island
under the law OF belligerent right now
n, aiutained through the executive depart
ment, should be superseded by an admin
iStration entirely civil in its nature f'ol
Il
gress pass a law for the organization OF a
temporary government, which Shall pro
vide for the appointment by the president
4 subject to confirmation by the senate. oil >
/ governor and such other officers a, tie
/ general administration OF the island may
4 require, and that for legislative purpose.
on subjects OF a local nature not partak
ing of a federal character Il Legislative
council, composed partly of PORTO Ricans
4 and partly OF citizens OF the United States
shall be nominated and appointed by the
president. subject TO confirmation by The
senate, their acts to be subject TO the ap
/ prevail of the congress or the presiden,
/ prior TO going into effect the munich
palities and other local subdivisions
recommend that the principle OF loca
self government be applied at once so as
to enable the Intelligent citizens of the
\ island to participate i'll their 5wn govern
| ment and to learn by practical experience
the duties and requirements of Il self
contained and a Safeguarding people.
4 have not thought it wise TO commit III,
4 entire government Of the island to officers
selected by the people because | doubl
whether in habits, training aud experi
enee. they are such as to fit them to eN
ercise at once so large degree of self
government. but it is my Judgment and
expectation that they will soon arrive a,
an attainment of experience and wisdom
and self-control that will justify conferr
ling upon them a much larger participa
/ ton in the choice of their insular officers
The fundamental requirement. for these
people, as for all people, is education The