The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-08-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASnINGTON, July IL Secretary
Root arrived in Washington today, and
will tomorrow b3 sworn in as Secretary
Of War. Everybody is trying to ind out
how much, if any, found alton there is
for tho story about his Intending To in
augurate general shake up of the much
criticised bureaucratic methods OF the
War Department, and to introduce a
more modern system. Mr.. Ro IT has the
art of saying nothing down TO perfection,
and he is practicing it, Most OF these
stories doubtless have their origin in tie
well known need fots,changes in the
business methods of this department.
Secretary Root has the repitation, in his
profession, of being atee to get mt the
bottom f things ;HsAglekS&s the next
man, and it will not kk11sffsrising il he
recognizes many weaN s1(s in his ex-
pc fences with the drlkartlfient.ll business
III the next two wetke, and has some
change to recommend hFs 4he time the.
President returns lT8nf shis vacation.
General Miles can give hin, a number of
pointers, and he is cnAi5tel with the in
lention to do so.
A matter which has given the adrnia :
ista,ion "a great deal OF y fOti()le and
which threatened TO citise IIon6 81 less
scandal before beingdep3sed ~. |1ifG
to have been settled by an ontni0n ~ ~
Attorney General, Giren stls 33lo Hr6n1R.
of the Secretary of Wsf, tliAt ta1tfti He
Secretary Of War ortiaeS FceSide6 ~
any authority t) grant :ilerptll colI 81 8
sions of public nature in Porto Rrok.
The ttnrp.y tsalrsur
that previous to the treaty pSfeare wish'
Spain the privilege D. .rdlitjn< suclf con,
cessicns was cAc,lAvely that of the
Spanish crown, and ;hat by that treaty
it was passed To the United States, and
can now only beaisposed of by Congress.
There is some disappointment among
those who eXpectHi 10 get profitable con-
ceSSiOnS, becauS6of this opinion, but il
is vsrv safe to Saysthat it is not shared
either by the lirn8ideut or the new Sec
retiry OF War, SdEh of whom are. doubt
less, very glad u escape the task Of de-
ciding who shoula have the concessions
sought for. 1t wQNld have been thank
less task at b-st, bud one full Of political
dangers. sss
must gigantic j1bof vaccination ever at
HN-Hlt ltlC Ol
Porto Rico, u, AArl Ames--;s in Wash
ington. lie 1tSs very interestingly of
That island. Hesaj!; Porto Rico is
cal RsialtalEt, s@traIe, 81 ,.ut there are sew
immediate correclioii. The government
is still top-rc;ivy ANA needs simplifying.
The mistake has been made OF trying to
galvaniZe Il defunct Spanish system of
laws and yoke it abreast with our pro-
gressive American policy. The natives
are by no means iiJ for Self-government
as yet, and while it is always advisable
to supelsede II military government rs
quickly rs prudent by civil authority, the
time iSr't Iipc yet to do away with mill
tary rule OH the island. Two things,
however, should be done at once. The
Spanish money now in circulation there
should b. withdrawn and replaced with
American currency, even II some loss
resulted to our government. Tue next
most pressing need is the ahollshment of
the tariff. The idea of keeping up im
y 1T duties between this country and any
Ut its uoSsessionS is an absurdlty, and it
is working greviouS hardship OH the
people OF Porto REQ A system OF i'll
Uernal revenue fairly adjusted and hon-
eStly collected, will give To Porto Rico
all the revel Tie it needs for the expense
of administering the government.