Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-06
PORTO RICO

For the government OF Porto Rico, the
President recommends that Congress pass
a law for the organization OF a tempo
rarv government, which shall provide Tor
the appointment by the President, SUD-
fect 40 confirmation by the Senate, Of a
governor and such other officers as the
general administration Of the island may
require. and that for legislative purposes
upon subjects OF a local nature, not par
taking of a Federal character, a legisld-
tive council, composed partly Of Porto
Ricans and partly Of citizens OF The
United States. shall be nominated and
appointed by the President, subject 10
Confirmation by the Senate, their acts TO
be subject 10 the approval OF the con-
gress or the President, prior 10 gong
into effect. In the municipalities and
other local subdivisions, he recommends
that the principle of local selt-goVern-
meht be applied at once, so as 10 enable
the intelligent citizens of the island TO
participate in their government, ana TO
learn by practical experience the duties
and requirements Of a self-cOntained and
self-goyerning people.
LYNCH-LAW MUST GO.
The love of law and the sense OF ODE
dience and submission TO the lawfully
constituted judicial authorities are eni-
bcdded in the hearts OF our people, ami
any violation of these sentiments and
disregard Of their obligations justly
arouses public condemnation.
THE guarantees OF life, liberty, and OF
civil rights should be faithfully upheld:
the right OF trial by jury respected ana
defended The rule OF the courts should
assure the public of the prompt trial OF
those charged with criminal offences. and
upon conviction the punishment should
be- commensurate with the enOrmity OF
tho crime.
Those who, In disregard OF law ana
the public peace, unwilling to await the
judgment OF court and jury, constitute
| themselves judges and eXecutioners
should not escape the seyerest penalties
| for their crimes.
| What / said in my inaugural address
of March T. 1897, l now repeat: The coll
| sututed authorities must be cheerfuily
and vigorously upheld. Lynchings must
| not be tolerated IN a great and civilizc
| country like the United States. Courts
| not mObs must execute the penalties of
the law The preservation OF public or
der, the right Of discussion. the integrity
| OF courts, and the orderly administrator
OF Justice must continue forever the rock
of safety upon which our government
securely rests
! CIVII-SERVICE ACTION.
"The executive order of May g. 1896, eN-
| tending the limits OF the classified ser
| vice brought within the operation OF the
| civil-seryice law and rules nearly all OF
the executive civil service not previously
| classified.
..some OF the inclusions were found
wholly illogical and unsuited TO the WORK
of the several departments. The appiI'
cation OF the rules 10 many OF the places
so included was found TO result in IRE
ton and embarrassment. After long anc
very careful consideration, II became CYL
| dent TO the heads Of the departments, re-
| sponsIble for their efficiency, that II
order TO remove these difficulties ant
promote an efficient and harmonious adj
ministration, certain amendments were
| necessary These amendments were pro