Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1899-12-07

district, providing for the appointment
| Of judge and other proper officers, and
| methods of procedure in appellate pro-
| ceedings, and that the government Of
| this newly acquired territory under the
federal constitution shall be fully de-
fined and provided for.
ALASKA.
A necessity for immediate legislative
relief exists in the territory of Alaska.
Substantially the only law providing u
civil government for this territory is the
act of May z, 1884. This is meagre in
| it's provisions, and is fitted only for the
administration of affairs in a country
sparsely inhabited by civilized people
and unimportant in trade and produce
ton, as was Alaska at the time this act
was passed. There is no authority, ex-
cept in congress, 10 pass any law, nomat-
ter how trivial. I see no reason
| why more complete form of territorial
organization should not be provided, en-
bodying a system of laws providing for
the Incorporation and government Of
towns and cities having certain popu-
lation, giving them the power to estab-
fish and maintain a system of educa-
ton to be locally supported, and ord
inances providing for police, sanitary
and other purposes.
PORTO RICO.
recommend that 1egisla ton to the
same end be had with reference to the
government Of Porto Rico. The time
Is ripe for the adoption Of temporary
form of government for this island The
system Of civil Jurisprudence now
adopted by the people of this island is
described by competent lawyers, who
are familiar with it, as thoroughly
modern and scientific, as far as it re-
lates to matters Of internal business,
trade, production and social and pri-
waite rights in general. The cities of the
island are governed under charters,
which probably require little or no
change. So, that with relation to mat
tiers of local concern and private right,
it is not probable that much, if any, leg
islation is desirable; but with reference
to public administration and the rela-
tons of the island to the federal govern
ment, there are many matters which are
of pressing urgency. Since the cession
Porto Rico has been denied the prin-
cipal markets she has long enjoyed, and
our tariffs have continued against
her products as when she was under
Spanish sovereignty.
The markets Of the United States
should be opened up to her products
Our plain duty is to abolish all customs
tariffs between the United States and
Porto Rico, and give her products free
access to our markets.
It is desirable that the government
of the island under the law of belligerent
right, now maintained through the de-
partment of executive, should be
superseded by the administration en-
tirely civil in it's nature. For present
purposes l recommend that congress
pass a law for the organization of a
temporary government which shall pro-
vide for the appointment by the pres
ident, subject to confirmation by the
senate, of governor and such other
officers as the general administration Of
the island require, and that for legis-
lative purposes, upon subjects of a local
nature, not partaking of a federal
character, legislative council, COM
posed partly Of Porto Ricans and part
ly 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
approval of the congress or the president
prior to going into effect. In the munic
qualities and other local subdivisions, T
recommend that the principle of local
government be applied at once so as to
enable the intelligent citizens of the
island to participate in their own gov
ernment and to learn by practical ex-
perience the duties and requirements Of
a self-contained and governing peo-
pie. I have not thought it wise to
commit the government of the island
to officers selected by the people, be-
cause I doubt whether in habits, train
ing and experience, there are such as
to fit them to exercise at once so large a
degree Of elf-government, but it is my
judgment and expectation Slat they
soon will arrive at an attainment of ex-
perience and wisdom and self-control
that will justify comforting upon them
much larger participation in the choice
Of their insular officers.
CIVIL SERVICE.
Concerning the order of May 20, 1892
amending the civil service laws, the
president says: The principal purpose
of the order was to except from COM
petitive examination certain places in
volving fiduciary responsibilities or
duties of a strictly confidential, scientific
or executive character, which it was
thought might better be filled by nom
competitive examinations, or in the dis
cretion of the appointing officer than by
open competition. All of the amend
ments had for their main object a more
efficient and satisfactory administra-
ton of the system of appointments es-
tablished by the civil service law. The
results attained show that under their
operation the public service has i'm
proved. It is believed that the merit
system has been greatly strengthened
and it's permanence assured.
The 14th of December will be the Tooth
anniversary of the death of Washing
ton. I have been glad to learn that in
many parts of the country the people
will fittingly observe this historic ami
versary.
IN CONCLUSION.
Presented to this congress are great
opportunities. With them come great
sl-.r