Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-18
PORTO RICO'S NEEDS
Views of a Prominent Citizen Of
the Island.
NOT READY FOR SELF GOVERNMENT
Should Be Given an American
Code of Laws.
ARBITRARY POWER USED

\ prominent citizen of Porto Rico whose
connection with official affairs in the island
renders the use Of his name inadvisable, in
discussing today the best form of govern
reut for Porto Rico said that unquestiona-
tly the people are not ready for self-gov-
eminent nor capable of it. They are not
ready for territorial government vet. but
they are very much opposed to direct mill
tary government and military courts.
They would prefer. he said, and it
would. in my judgment. be best for all par
tics, for the President as Commander-in-
CHEF to promulgate d code Of laws, such
eS has been prepared by the insular COM
mission at his suggestion, and then ap-
point civil governor or three commits
Slou"rs, who could then enforce the laws
and bring about prosperity. We have ex-
E'"ted to hear from day to day that those
laws We're promulgated ever since they
We're completed. and the people accepted
this with great hope and satisfaction.
Fear of Delay by Congress.
We fear if the matter is referred to Con-
gress it will be so long delayed as TO cause
much loss and distress. While soma re-
forms have been brought about under the
military government. yet. altogether. the
people ale little better off than under Span
ism rule. being in the main under Spanish
laws and with the slight mixture of Amer
lean Jaws We nave many conflicts and much
complication, while the governor general
holds arbitrary power and control in indi-
viduaI cases, and much complaint is made
OF feEoritlsm and discrimination.
For instance, few weeks ago a prom
iHeut Porto Rican official was removed for
cause, clear and well established, SO as to
totally unfit him for the duties of the office
but 10 ease him down he has been awarded
pension of 50 go pesOs) per month for
HE from The funds OF the island. This by
the arbitrary order of the general and
without any law OF authority except his
O"u viii but in accordance with Spanish
precedent HUT others under similar con-
dlilDlS and more deserving have been re-
fused No one knows what may or may
not be done any day under such ! govern
meut.
The expenses of the island government
have not been lessened. but rather in
creased tIHe new civil secretary has fifty
seven clerks IN his office alone1 While
there could Ia saved over half OF the
amount consumed and give better govern
meut- This wgr-IJ save to the people more
than the total amount collected as customs
duties on the island. Of which 50 much is
heard.
In the Presidents Power.
This is. as We understand il. in ne power
q the President without waiting for Con-
g'ess- Congress has had the Hawaii laws
under Amusement now nearly two years.
with a code of laws proposed and reported
By a roImittee Of its own,aud yet uoIaw has
been passed. This island presents 20 Con
gross infinitely mose complex problems
Than Hawaii does How long will it take.
then, for Congress 10 act on our case In
the meantime We are all a sea and our in
ler-srs are being sacrlnced.
our people viii be satisfied with such
laws - the President Will have prepared
and promulgated on The American plan.
and With such American officials. for the
leading positions a. he may select. and VIII
greatly prefer tEis 10 selections by our
own people We do not think Porto Ricaus
could make laws successfully ON a system
OF which they know nothing. Then while
those laws are in operation Congress can
Investigate ana take its time TO declare our
status As provided by the treaty.
our propi, arr not ready for all The iul-
cations Of The Constitution. jury trials and
total loss OF customs revenue. The latter
could De much reduced if Internal expenses
" .rr reduced, Jut ought not TO lie cut off
altogether This would necesSi'ats iEcreaS-
ing direct taxation, which would De very
bIEdeusOme.
What the uass of the People Want
Al is only the few Interested politicians
who seek to succeed - the Spanish rank Of
office holders who object 10 the above plan
and few military gentlemen who prefer
their present soft snap 70 duty in the
Philippines. The sreaJ mass Of the people
ar anNtously waiting for the President 10
send Us a civil governor mot d military
man IN q ClFi.4s-L coat ana ldTnEI, Judges
and principal n:hc!alSr with "A fnlt code o1
American laws to relieve Us from Spanish
Law and spanish ways. equally ehjectt0ua-
h,e. whether administered ny Spariards nr
Porto Rcans with spanish education and
ideas
The masses Of the people feel that If the
laws come from. me United States and the
officials go enforce. control and -xD.air
them are sent as ty the President they
Nil! be genuine and AFFORD cu~ people the
same equal opportunities as ,lrs enjoyed
by The peopi" Of the states. They want the
genuine article and no halfway measures.
NJ half Spanish and half American laws
oar people are not attached To the old SyS
tem. either to the law or The manner nf
enforcement, but ask speedy dsliVerauce
-ayrr.rgm.