Evening star., 1899-12-05
LEGISLATION FOR PORTO RICO.


ment of Porto Rico. The time is ripe for
the adoption of a temporary form of gov
ernment for this island; and many sugges-
tions made with reference to Alaska are
applicable also to Porto Rico.
The system Of civil Jurisprudence now
adopted by the people of this island is de-
scribed by competent lawyers who are ia
niliar with 1t, as thoroughly modern and
scientific, so far as II relates 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.
it is not probable that much, if any, legis-
lation is desirable; but with reference to
public administration and the relations of
the island to the Federal Government,
there are many matters which are of press
ing urgency. The same necessity exists for
legislation on the part of Congress to es-
tablish Federal courts and Federal juris-
diction In the island as has been previous
ly pointed out by me with reference TO
Hawaii Besides the administration of JUS
tice there are the subjects of the public
lands: the control and improvement of riv-
ers and harbors; the control of the waters
or streams not navigabie, which, under the
Spanish law, belonged to the Crown of
Spain and have by the treaty of cession
passed to the United States; the immigra-
ton of people from foreign countries; the
Importation of contract labor; the imposi-
ton and collection of internal revenue the
application of the naviga ton laws; the reg
ulation of the current money; the establish
ment of post-off1ces and post-roads: the
regulation of tariff rates on merchandise
imported from the island into the United
States; the establishment of ports of entry
and delivery; the regulation of patents and
copyrights; these, with various other sub
iects which rest entirely within the power
of the Congress, call for careful considera-
tion and immediate action
1t must be borne in mind that since the
cessior Porto Rico has been denied the
and our tariffs have been continued against
her pro iucts when she was under Span
ish sovereignty. The markets of Spain are
closed to her products except upon terms
to which the commerce of all ma tions is
subjected. The island of Cuba. which used
to bu, her cattle and tobacco without Gus
toms duties, now imposes the same duties
upon these products as from any other
country entering her ports. She has there
fore lost her free intercourse with Spain
and Cuba without any compensating BEN
efts it, 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 mar
kets Of the United States should be opened
abolish all customs tariffs between the
United States and Porto Rico and give her
products free access to our markets.
AS a result of the hurricane which swept
over Porto Rico on the Sth of August. 1893
over 100000 people were reduced to abso-
lutte destltution. without homes. and de-
prived CT the necessaries of life. To the
appeal OF the War Department the people
OF the United States made prompt and gen.
erous response. In addition to the private
charity of our people. the War Department
has expended for the relief of the dis
tressed SS92 34263. which does not include
the cost of transportation.
1t Is desirable that the government of the
island under the law of beliigerent right,