New-York tribune., 1899-03-12

institution rich with many associations and
more numerous fees The fees have been re
duced to a fair equivalent for the services per
formed and it is the purpose of the authorities
supported by the Insular Cabinet, to make these
officials simply the ministerial officers that they
are in the United States Heretofore they have
been the lawyer the scrivener, the notary and
oftentirnes the Judge, all combined. BY the new
order of General Henry the notaries are no"
allowed 81 30 a page for documents where the
consideration is under 1000 pesos) In docu-
mcnts where the consideration is in excess or
1000 pesos. they will be allowed one-hali OF
per cent upon the amount. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
alone will now cost but 30 centavos where pc
fore they cost several pesos. Until TINS reform
was brought about. the free exchange OF prop
erty and the transaction Of business requiring
a notary's services was threatened. Americans
oftentimes asserted that the demands OF the
notary amounted to a practical appropriation OF
the property partnership in the enterprise
The story is current here Of American who
had occasion to consult notary in San
Juan be- fore the occupation. The notary drew up
the papers relating to an option on large tract
of land i'm the island and after the execution
and copy Of the same, in accordance with the
SPANISH law. presented bill for his fees. The
American almost tainted when he saw that the
bill amounted to nearly one fourth OF the value
Of the land As no relief could then be obtained
frl m the Spanish authorities. the victim decided
10 take the notary into partnership, and he gave
him a share in the enterprise in consideration of
his fees The deal proved successful. and th"
notary made Zee that many Of the greatest
American lawyers would envy.
Not long ago an American received a letter
from a lawyer in British Columbia, asking for
q couv of the will Of an Englishman who died
fe, wears ago in small town on the west
coast Of the island He left valuable estate
and several heirs The latter wanted copy of
the will which was recorded in the place of the
death together with a certificate Of the death
and burial When the American wrote to the
notary who had a copy of the will, asking for a
COPY thereof and rendering the fees. he received
q reply that inasmu,h as neither he nor the
partics whom ne represented were mentioned in
the will II was impossible under the Spanish
laws 10 furnish him with the desired copies
The general public was not supposed to have
any right TO the inspection or copy OF these
records The matter was called to the attention
Of General Henry. who promptly issued an order
commanding all notaries to furnish copies Of all
public records to any person interested, upon the
payment Of a reasonable fee.
An excellent custom prevails among the
notaries of Porto Rico. among those in Spain,
II contributing regular allowance to a fund
for the benefit II the widows and orphans of
deceased members Of this body. The fund is
created here by a tax Of > centavos. paid by the
notary for every sheet Of paper used in his
records. The paper Is stamped and sold by the
Government. which allows the proceeds to the
proper fund.
Considered in all respects the notary Of the
Spanish times is an interesting study and his
passing away is cause Of melancholy reflections
by the Spaniards in Porto Rico. who are at
tachcd ~ the old system