The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-22
UNIQUE ORDER.
Gov. Leary, of Guam, Believes Mar
riage n Success

Gov. Leary, of Guam, Believes Mar
ringe n Success.
WASHINGTON, Nov. H.-Gov. Leary,
of Guam, or the Isle of GUAM as 1t is
called in the official. gubernatorial SEAL
is having novel experiences for an Ameri-
can in an altogether unique community
but the infrequency of communication
with the outside world permits little in
formation to reach Washington regarding
this innovation in colonial establishments
Gov. Leary was always picturesque
character in the service, and his mission
in the lonely and scarcely known island
was regarded by those who knew him as
Slngulariy appropriate. 1t was expected
that an interesting experiment in cfviliza-
ton would begin when he assumed abso-
lutte control of the new possession, and so
1t has turned out, although the navy de-
partment, for some reason, has refrained
from permitting the details of his report
to get into circulation. That these reports
are highly interesting, and in some in
stances wholly unconventional, IS evident
from portions of one which has Just come
to Washington in this Gov. Leary in
closes two of his recent orders TO the
citizens of the Isle of Guam, which are
unlike any other orders ever issued by
naval officer
The report, which is dated Oct. II, gives
a terse resume of affairs in the captains
dominion since the last mail 1t shows
that the islanders are inordinateIy lazy,
having acquired the habit of their an
cestors of raising only such crops as will
keep their bodies and souls together, and
that they cannot be easily induced to
value money or exercise their earning
power. With minimum of exertion they
are satisfied if they do not starve The
whole island is full of examples of neg
lected opportunities, which are so dis
Zoe fJ,I 70 A
set out to bring the people of Guam to
a realization of the natural wealth of the
island, and to make all under his juris-
dfction as productive as possible He tells
the navy department that he does not
want any more marines sent to him. as
he cannot provide food for them, and
does not need them for his defense. as
he has nothing to fear from the natives
He begs, however, for more officers to
assist him in carrying out his plans for
improving the condition of the population
He says he wants an Ice machine, none
of the water on the island being of no
table temperature. He has established the
seat of government al Agana, six miles
from Port st. Louis d'Apra. and over this
distance his men have had to haul all the
materials for the buildings they are erect
ing. as well as all supplies.
But the interesting part of the report
relates to the reforms begun, of which
the governor says:
Having disposed of the priests. rapid
progress will be made. and no further re-
sistanCe will be encountered"
The other order, dated Sept II, is more
radical 1t demands that concublnlge.
which was general all over the island
must stop Immediately. In this order
Gov. Leary moralizes as follows to the
natives:
THE existing custom of raising families
of illegitimate children is repulsive to
ideas of decency. antagon;stic TO moral
advancement incompatible with the gen
orally recognized GUS oms of civilized So
ciety, violation of the accepted prin-
ciples of Christianity and a most degrad-
ing injustice 70 the innocent offspring.
who is not responsible for the condition Of
his unfortunate existence"
The governor, in conclusion, command
ed immediate wedlOck for the whole adult
population and made the license and civil
ceremony free until Nov. 3. AS a result,
the officers in charge of licenses and mar
riages were worked half TO death, until
nearly everybody on the island was legal
ly married. There was a rush TO obey the
order, and in fact the people have shown
n disposition to be obedient to any sug-
gestion from their governor.