The San Francisco call., 1899-04-01
PLATFORM OF
PORTO RICANS
Carefully Prepared by
the New Party.
Correspondence of the Associated Press,


SAN JUAN. Porto Rico, March o.
A new political party has been born,
'the Republican party of Porto Rico
Though the party was organized by
the radicals under the leadership Of
Manuel Rossey, it has for its object the
association of all political elements on
this island, and they have agreed upon
q platform which is pronounced to be
faultless in it's Americanism. The plat
form in part is as follows:
That is the highest duty Of every citi-
zen to uphold the integrity OF the country
and the laws of the land. That we
pledge ourselves as men, animated by q
common cause, aiming at . common OBJ
Ject, 10 do ali in our power for our Gov
ernment. We indCFSe and commend the
able, patriotic and true American spirit
manifested by Hon. William Mckinley,
President of the United States, in releas-
ing us from the mlsrule Of Spain, and we
pledge our taith1ulnesS 10 adhere 10 the
new principles Of our new country and
have for our aim harmony, unity and
good government, relying with confidence
upon the hope OF q speedy settlement OF
our national affairs.
The name OF our party shall be The
Republican Party of Porto Rico"
We declare our sincere loyalty to the
American flag and American ideas, and
hereby pledge ourselves to strive TO be-
come worthy of the great nation of which
We hail with pride our annexation to
the United States.
We believe the people of Porto Rico
could be trusted with the civil govern
ment of the island, but as that authority
only emanateS from the Congress of the
United States il is but our duty to await
their action, and while under military
government awaiting actioneby Congress
we desire that all civil offices should be
filled by men capable, honest and of un-
questionable loyalty to the Government
of the United States and disposed to act
sing!y Tor the best interest of this island
and our common country without distinc-
ton, thereby affording US an opportunity
TO demonstrate our fitness for Self-goV-
ernlnent. with all the burdens and re-
sponsibilities which it entails, and which
viii hasten the day when our island will
have place among the States of our
Union.
Succeeding pIanks declare in favor Of
q universal suffrage; oppose the intro
ouction into the island Of foreign labor;
express devotion to liberty of thought
conscience and speech, including the
freedom Of the press, and deprecate any
union of church and state. Free
schools and the teaching Of English are
demanded. A change in the present
system of taxation and free trade be-
tween Porto Rico and the United
States are advocated. The exchange of
the provincial money for money Of the
United States is advocated on 4 gold
basis; 'as il is right and proper that
very dollar paper or coin, issued by the
Government be as good as any other. q"
The establishment of an American sys-
TEN Of courts is favored. The platform
concludes thus:
We congratulate ourselvCS and our
country on being under the pI Dtection of
the American flag, the recognized emblem
Of liberty, and will lend every effort to
advance civilization, to teach loyalty, to
love American institutions and honor
Washington, Lincoln and Mckinley
whose names are household words in the
land.
1t is said by the organizers of this
party that the name Republican" is
used in its general sense, and has no
relation to the party Of that name in
the United States
1t is understood that General Henry
IS in entire accord with the establish
ment Of the new American party.