Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-12-14

1 Wdb PROVIDED LOT the 6GCe0tyy 0G0V1600
territory. then known under the name q
| Louisiana. Il seems to me that Il would
be advantageous to confer greater execu-
,ish. as was done IN the case Of the terri
tory OF Louisiana. n legislative council
having power TO adopt ordinances which
Of local legislation. such ordinances not
to take effect until reported to and ap.
proved by the congress IL In session, and
president. In this manner system flaws
provtding for the incorporation and gov
( ernment Of towns and cities having a GER
/ tam population. giving them the power
TO establish and maintain system of ed
ucation to be locally supported, and ordi-
n nance providins for police. sanitary and
| provided.
l believe q provision of this kind would
tory. 1t is probable that the area is too
vast and the population too scattered and
transitory to make it wise at the present
body, but the conditions calling for local
self-government will undoubtedly very
soon exist and will be facilitated by the
| measures which have recommended
Porto Rico.
For Porto Rico he advises legislation that
Will give them a temporary form Of gov
ernment. recounts the work done by tho
military government, now in control, and
It must be borne III mind that since tho
cession Porto Rico has been denied the
pr rI markets she had long enjoyed
her products as when she was under Span
ish sovereignty. The markets Of Spain arc
closed to her products except upon terms
subjected. The island of Cuba, which used
| 70 buy 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's
fore lost her free intercourse with Spain
s mapSet any Hs2 apeae t1.
known and not in use by our people. and
therefore there was no demand here for
kets OF the United States should be opened
abolish All customs tarifrs between tho
products free access to our markets.
AS a. result Of the hurricane which swept
over Porto Rico on the sth Of August, 1899.
Lutte destitution, without homes. and de-
prived Of the necessaries of life. To tho
appea! of the war department the people Of
Gus response In addition to the private
charity OF cur people the war depa art
tressed ssss,s42.ss. which does not III. include
the cost Of transportation.
It is desirable that the government Of the
now maintained through the executive de-
ministration entirely civil in its nature:
congress pass law for the organization Of
a temporary government. which shall pro-
vide for the appointment BY the president.
governor and such other officers as tho
general ADMINISTRATION Of the island may
require and that for legislative purposes u
Of. federal character a legislative coun:
Gil, composed partly Of Porto Ricans and
Re nominated and appointed by the presi-
dent, subject to confirmation by the sen:
ate. their acts to be subject TO the approval
going into effect. In the municipalities and
other local subdivisions recommend that
the principle Of local f-Eoyernmsnt b
gent citizens Of the island to participate IN
their own government and to learn by
ri tie dats. ana
sSSgGyer n.s people t have ent Ss
the people, 81 .f Z whether
in habits. training and experiences they are
such as to At them to exercise at once so
ny jud sEen a ana espeetation that they
ence and wisdom and self-control that win
!ar s psstieipation INT IN the Choice Of thei'
| insular officers.
Education Ia Needed.
The fundamental requirement for these
people. as for all people Is education: The ne
citizenship In. the Introduction Of mod
ern educational methods care. however.
msd be 5a he
racial peculiarities Of the Inhabitants shall
be given due weight Systems Of sd !sa..
adaped to
listing conditions and looking to the future
movement and Industrial advancement OF
peculiaY!y effective manner the blessings Of
free government
The Civil Service.
Changes in the working Of the civil service
provisions are explained. and of the.
Some Of II the ne inclusions were found wholly
illogical and unsuited to the work Of the
several departments. ). The l,e application of
was found to result in friction and em-
barrassment. After long and very care
full consideration 1t became evident to the,
Iheads of the departments responsible for
Their efficiency that in order to remove
these difficulties and promote an efficient
amendments were necessary. These amend
tive order dated May 20. 1889.
except from competitive examination cer-
tain places involving fiduciary responsible
tiles or duties of a strictly confidential.
was thought might better be filled either
by non-competitive examination. or in tho.
discretion Of the appointing officer. than
comparatively few in number. The order
provides for the filling of much larger
number Of places, mainly in the outside
service of the war department. by what 10,
known as the registration system. under
regulations to be approved by the pres-
ident, similar to those which have pro-
duced such admirable results in the navy
yard service.
Objects of Amendments.
| All of the amendments had for their
main object more efficient and satisfac-
tory administration Of the system of APP
pointments established by the civil service
law. The results attained show that under
| their operation the public service has inn
proved and that the civil service system
| Is relieved of many Objectionable features
which heretofore subjected 1t to just ortiz
icism and the administrative officers to the.
charge of unbusinesslike methods in the:
conduct Of public affairs. It is believed
that the merit system has been greatly
strengthened and its permanence assured.
1t will be my constant aim in the admin
istration Of government in our new possess
| sions to make fitness, character and merit
essential to appointment to office, and to
give to the capable and deserving inhab-
ttants preference in appointments.
The 18th OF December will be the. one huns
dredth anniversary of the death of Wash.
| tngton. For hundred years the republic
has had the priceless advantage Of the lofty
standard Of character and conduct which
he bequeathed to the American people. It
is an inheritance which time, instead OF
fSv~