The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-12-06
HAWAII,

shall be passed as speedily as possible
erecting these islands into a judicial
district. providing for the appointment
OF O. Judge and other proper officers, and
methods OF procedure in appellate pro-
ceedings, and that the government Of
this newly acquired territory under the
federal constitution shall be fully de-
fined and provided for.
ALASKA.
A necessity for immediate legislative
relief exists in the territory of Alaska.
| Substantially the only law providing
civil government for this territory is the
act Of May z, 1884. This is meagre in
its provisions, and is fitted only for the
administration of affairs in a country
sparsely inhabited by civilized people
and unimportant in trade and produce
ton, as was Alaska at the time this act
was passed. There is no authority, eX-
cept in congress, TO pass any law no mat
ter how trivial. I see no reason
why more complete form of territorial
organization should not be provided, en-
bodying a system of laws providing for
the incorporation and government of
towns and cities having a certain popu-
lation, giving them the power to estab-
fish and maintain a system of educa-
ton to be locally supported, and ord
inances providing for police. sanitary
and other purposes.
PORTO RICO.
I 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 q temporary
Al..,,
system of civil Jurisprudence now
adopted by the people of this island is
described by competent lawyers, who
are familiar with it, as thoroughly
modern and scientific, as far as it re-
lates to matters of internal business,
trade. production and social and pri-
vate rights in general. The cities of the
island are governed under charters,
which probably require little or no
change. So, that with relation to mat
ters of local concern and private right,
it is not probable that much, if any, leg
islation is desirable; but with reference
to public administration and the rela-
lions of the island to the federal govern
ment there are many matters which are
of pressing urgency. Since the oession
Porto Rico has been denied the prin-
cipal markets she has long enjoyed. and
our tariffs have continued against
her products as when she was under
Spanish sovereignty.
The markets of the United States
should be opened up to her products.
Our plain duty is to abolish all customs
tariffs between the United States and
Porto Rico, and give her products free
access to our markets.
1t is desirable that the government
of the island under the law of belligerent
right, now maintained through the de-
partment of executive, should be
superseded by the administration en-
tirely civil in it's nature. For present
purposes 1 recommend that congress
pass a law for the organization of a
temporary government which shall pro-
vide for the appointment by the pres
ident, subject to confirmation by the
senate, of a governor and such othe,
officers as the general administration o.
the island require, and that for legis
latiVe purposes, upon subjects of a loca
nature, not partaking of fedora
character, a legislative council, com
posed partly of Porto Ricans and part
ly of citizens of the United States, shall
be nominated and appointed by th'
president subject to confirmation b.
the senate, their acts to be subject to tn
approval of the congress or the presiden
prior to going into effect. In the munic
. ipalities and other local subdivisions,
|. recommend that the principle of lOca
. government be applied at once, so as T.
enable the intelligent citizens of TIL
= island to participate in their own gov
: eminent, and to learn by practical ex
/. perience the duties and requirements o
, a self contained and self-gov erning PEG
pie. l have not thought it wise t
> commit the government of the islam
: to officers selected by the people, be
cause 1 doubt whether in habits, train
ing and experience, there are such a
= to fit them to exercise al once so large
degree of self government, but 1t is m
Judgment and expectation ~hat the
soon will arrive at an attainment of ex
perience and wisdom and self-oontrC
that will justify comforting upon theI
> a much larger participation in the choic
of their insular officers.
CIVIL SERVICE.
= Concerning the order of May 20, 1S9
a amending the civil service laws, tn
: president says: The principal purpos
II of the order was to except from CON
:. petitive examination certain places In
II volving fiduciary responsibilities
q duties of strictly confidential, scientif
q or executive character, which 1t wa
a thought might better be filled by nor
p competitive examinations, or in the dis
d erection of the appointing officer than b
Il open competition. All of the amend
~ ments had for their main object mo
q efficient and satisfactory ADMINISTERS
O ton of the system of appointments e'
i tablished by the civil service law. TT
; results attained show that under the
n operation the public service has in
# proved. 1t is believed that the mer
II system has been greatly strengthens
# and its permanence assured.
J. The nth of December will be the loot
\. anniversary of the death of Washing
l. ton. 1 have been glad to learn that
g many parts of the country the poop
l. will httingly observe this historic ann