The record-union., 1899-12-06

the islands to the Federal Government
there are many matters which are of
pressing urgency. The same necessity
exists for legislation on the part OF
Congress to establish Federal Courts.
and Federal Jurisdiction in the island
as has been previously pointed out by
me with reference to Hawaii.
Besides the administration of justice
there are subjects of public lands; the
control and Improvement of rivers and
harbors; the control of the waters or
streams not navigable, which, under
the Spanish law, belonged to the crown
of Spain, and have by the treaty of ces-
sion passed to the United States; the
immigration of people from foreign
countries; the Importation of contract
labor; the imposition and collection of
internal revenue; the application of the
navigation laws; the regulation of the
current money; the establishment of
Postoffices and post roads; the regu-
lation of tariff rates on merchandise
imported from the. islands into the
United States; the establishment of
ports of entry and delivery; the regu-
lation of patents and copyrights; these,
with various other subjects, which rest
entirely within the power of the Con-
gress call for careful consideration and
immediate action. 1t must be borne in
mind that since the ceSsion Porto Rico
has been denied the principal markets
she had long enjoyed and our tariffs
have been continued against her pro-
ducts 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 is 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 in her free intercourse
with Spain and Cuba, without any COM
pensating benefits in this market. Her
coffee was little known and not in use
by our people and therefore there was
no demand here for this, one of her
chief products. 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 mar
ketS.
RAVAGES OF RECENT STORM IN
PORTO RICO.
AS result of the hurricane which
swept over Porto Rico on the 18th of
August, 1899, over 100000 people were
reduced to absolute restitution, with
out homes and deprived of the nece5-
saries of life. To the appeal of the War
Department the people of the United
States made prompt and generous re-
sponse In addition to the private
charity of our people. the War Depart
ment has expended for the relief of the
distressed $780,, 3342.63, which does not
include the cost of transportation
SHOULD BE CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
1t is desirable that the government
of the island under the law of belliger-
ent right, now maintained through the
Executive Department, should be SUI
perseded by an administration entirely
civil in its nature.
For present purposes 1 recommend
that Congress pass a law for the or
ganization OF temporary government
which shall provide for the appoint
ment by theJPresident, subject to con-
firmation by the Senate, of a Governor
~---
administration of the island may re-
quire, and that for the universal pur-
poses on subjects of a local nature, not
partaking of a Federal character a leg
islative counoibj composed partly of
Porto Ricafls and partly 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
EDUCATION THE FUNDAMENTAL
REQUIREMENT
In the municipalities and other local
subdivisions recommend that the
principle Of local government be
applied at Oyces $50 as to enable the
intelligent citizens of the island to mar
ticipate in their own government. and
to learn by practical experience the
duties and requirements of a self-gov-
erned people
L nave not thought it wise to COM
NIT the entire government of the island
to officers selected by the people be-
cause | doubt whether the inhabitants
training and experience are such as to
fit them to exercise at once so large a
degree of elf-government, but it is my
judgment and expectation that they
will soon arrive at an attainment of
experience and wisdom and self-controI
that will justify comforting upon them
much larger participation in the
choice of their insular officers.
The fundamental requirement for
these people, as for all people, is e6u-
cation. The free schoolhouse is the best
preceptor for citizenship. In the in
PRODUCTION of modern educational meth
DDS care must be exercised that the
change be not made too abruptly. and
that the history and racial peculiarities
of the inhabitants shall be given due
weight Systems of education in these
new possessions founded on common
sense methods, adapted to existing con-
diticns and looking to the future move
ment and industrial advancement Of
the people will commend to them in a
peculiarly effective manner the bless
ings of free government.
CLOSING REMARKS.