Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-05

ECruter executive power upon WV SUI
ernoi and 20 establish, as was done In
the case OF the Territory OF louisiana
legislative council having power 10
adopt ordinances which shall extend 70
all the rlghtful subjects OF local legls-
latlon. such ordinances not 70 take ei-
feet untll reported TO and approved by
the Congress II In session. and II that
body is not In session, then by the
President.
In this manner n system OF laws pro-
vlding for the incorporation and gov
eminent OF towns and cities having a
certain population. giving them the
power to establish and maintain a sys-
TEN OF education TO be locally sup
ported and ordinances providing for
police. sanitary, and other such pur-
poses should be speedily provided. q,
| believe provision Of this KIND
would be satisfactory TO the people OF
the territory. II Is probable that the
area IL too vast and the population too
scattered and transltory to make II
wise at the present time TO provide for
an elective legislative body but the
conditions calling for local self gov
eminent will undoubtedly very soon ex-
list and will be facilitated by the meas
ures which have recommended.
LEGISLATION FOR PORTO RICO,
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 refer
ence 10 Alaska are applicable also 10
Porto Rico.
The system Of civil Jurisprudence now
adopted by the people OF this island Is
described by competent lawyers who
are familiar with IL. as thoroughly
modern and scientific. 50 far as il re-
lates TO matters Of internal business.
trade production and social and 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 private
right, II IL not probable that much IL
any legislation is desirable, but with
reference 20 public administration and
the relations OF the islands to the fed
eral government there are many mat
tiers which are Of pressing urgency.
SOME OF PORTO RICO'S NEEDS.
The same necessity exists for legis-
latlon on the part Of Congress to es-
tablish federal courts and federal juris-
diction In the island as has been pre-
Wously pointed out by me with refer
ence TO Hawaii Besides the admins
tration OF justice there are subjects OF
public lands; the control and improve
ment 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 cesslon 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 postofices 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-
Iation Of patents and copyrights: these,
with various other subjects which rest
entirely within the power OF the Con-
sress, call for a careful consideration
and immediate action.
Ph ~ INlRAN 2lAhh >.
II must be borne in mind that since
the cession Porto Rico has been denied
he principal markets she had long en-
loyed and our tariffs have been con-
Ilnued 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 Is sub |
iected. 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 inter |
course with Spain and Cuba without |
any compensating benefits IN this mar
tet. Her coffee was little known and |
not In use by our people and therefore |
here was no demand here for this. one |
II her chief products.
The markets Of the United States |
should be opened up 10 her products.
Dur plain duty is 10 abolish ali Gus
oms tariffs between the United States
md Porto Rico. and give her products
rec access 10 our markets.
THE WEST INDIES HURRICANE.
As result OF the hurricane which
,wept over Porto Rico on the 18th OF |
august 1899, over 100000 people were
'educed 70 absolute destitutlon. with
'ut homes, and deprived Of the neces-
aries OF life. To the appeal OF the war
department. the people Of the United
states made prompt and generous res
ponse. In addition TO the private char
" OF the people, the war department
las expended for the relief OF the dis
ressed, sS92, Si26S, which does not In
Jude the cost Of transportation.
READY FOR CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
II Is desirable that the government
I the island under the law OF bellger-
nj right, now maintained through the
XecutVe department, should be super.
eded by an administration entirely civ.
In Its nature. For present purposes
recommend that Congress pass a law
or the organization OF a temporary
overnment, which shall provide for
he appointment by the President sub.
ect TO confirmation by the Senate. OF
governor and such other officers as
he general administration Of the island
lay require and that for legislative
imposes and subjects OF a local nature
OF partaking OF federal character,
legislative council, composed partly
Porto Ricans and partly OF citizens
the United States, shall be nominate
! and appointed by the President, sub
act 10 confirmation by the Senate
heir acts to be subject to the approx
Of the Congress and President prior
, going into effect.
In the municipalities and other local
lbdlvislon ] recommend that the prin-
pile Of local f-government be APP
lied al once SO as to enable the intel
gent citizens OF the island TO particl-
ate In their own government and 10 |
arm by practical experience the du-
es and requirements OF self con-
lined and a self-governing people
have not thought It wise to COM
10 the entire government Of the island
officers selected By the people, be-
luse ] doubt whether IN habits, train
Y and experience. they are such as 10
them 10 exercise al once so large a
gree OF self.government. but Il Is my
ldgment and expectation that they
III soon arrive az an attainment OF ex-