The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-12-08
THE DENlsoN REVIEW. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8. 1899.

will soon recognize the fact that they
have not lost their gift of benediction in
this worldwide journey to their shores.
Needs of Alaska.
A necessity for Immediate legislative re-
lief exists in the territory of Alaska. The
whole vast area of Alaska comprises but
one judicial district, with one marshal
and one district attorney, yet the civil and
criminal business has more than doubled
within the past year and is many times
greater, both in volume and Importance,
than it was in 1884. | see no reason why
a more complete form of territorial organ
ization should not be provided. Follow
ing the precedent established in the year
1905, when u temporary government was
provided for the recently acquired terri
tory then known under the name of
Louisiana, 1T seems to me that it would
be advantageous to confer greater execu-
tive power upon the governor and to es-
tablish, as was done in the case of the ter
ritory of Louisiana. Il legislative council,
having power to adopt ordinances which
shall extend to all the rightful subjects of
local origin, such ordinances not to take
effect until reporte to and approved by
the congress. if in session, and if that
body is not in session, then by the presi-
dent. In this manner a system of laws
providing ror the incorporation and gov
eminent of towns and cities having Ger
tain population, giving them the power
to establish and maintain Il system of
education to be locally supported, and
ordinances providing for police, sanitary
and other such purposes could be speed
lily provided 1 believe a provision of
this kind would be satisfactory to the peo-
pie of the territory. 1t is probable that
the area IS too vast and the population too
scattered and transitory to make it wise
ut the present time to provide for an
elective legislative body, but the condi
tions calling for local self-governmeIt
will undoubtedly very soon exist, and will
be facilitated by the measures which /
have recommended
Suggestions as to Porto Rico.
l recommend that legislation 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; and many
suggestions made with reference to Alas
XII are applicable also to Porto Rico
The system of civil jurisprudence now
adopted by the people of this island is de-
miliar with it, as thoroughly modern and
scientific, 50 far as it relates to matters of
internal business, trade, production and
social aud private right in general.
The cities of the island are governed
under charters which probably require
very little or no change. So that with
relation to matters of local concern
and Of private right, it is not probable
81, 4
but with reference to public ..dministra-
tion and the relations of the islands to the
federal government there are many mat
tiers which are of pressing urgency. The
same necessity exists for legislation to es-
tablish judicial jurisdiction in the island
as has been previously pointed out by me
with reference to Hawaii Besides the
administration of justice there are the
subjects of public lands, the control and
improvement of rivers and harbors, the
control of the waters or streams not nav-
gable which, under the Spanish law, be-
longed 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 contract labor; the imposition and col
lection of internal revenue; the applica-
ton of the navigation laws the regula-
ton of the current money; the establish
ment of postoffices and post roads; the
regulation, of tariff rates on merchandise
imported from the island into the United
States; the establishment of ports of en-
try and delivery; the regulation Of patents
and copyrights; these, with various other
subjects, which rest entirely within the
power Of the congress, call for careful
consideration and immediate action.
1t must be borne in mind that since the
cession Porto Rico has been denied the
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, except upon terms
, to which the commerce of all nations ID
I subjected. The island of Cuba, which
used to buy her cattle and tobacco without
customs duties, now imposes the same
duties upon these products as from any
other country entering her ports. She
has. therefore lost her free intercourse
with Spain and Cuba without any com
pensating benefits in this markA. Her
coffee was little known and not III use by
/ our people, and therefore there was no de-
mand here for 1t, one of her chief pro-
ducts. The markets of the United States
should be opened up to her products. Oul
plain duty is to abolish all customs tariffs
between the United States and Porto
Rico and give her products free access tc
our markets.
AS result Of the hurricane which
swept over Porto Rico on the Sth of Au
! gust 1899, over 100, 900 people were reduced
to absolute restitution, without home.
and deprived of the necessaries of life. Te
the appeal Of the war department the PEG
pie of the United States made prompt AM
generous response. In addition to tn,
private charity of our people the war de
partment has expended for the relief o
the distressed $780,, 342 SO, which does no
include the cost of transportation.
Favors Installation of Civil Government
1t is desirable that the government O
the islands under the law of belligeren
right now maintained through the OK
ecutive department., should be superseded
by an administration entirely civil in it.
nature For present purposes 1 recon
mend that congress pass law for the or
ganization OF q temporary government
| which shall provide for the appointment