The Van Buren press., 1899-12-09

SIates should be opened 10 het Prouueto,
Our rIain duty Is to abolish all customs
tariffs between the United States ana for-
to Rico, end give her products Tree ac'
cess to our markets.
The Porto Rican Hurricane.
As result of the hurricane which swept
over Porte Rico on the Sth OF August 1871
over 100000 people were reduced 10 apso- So
ute destitution without homes and de-
prived of the necessaries of life: 10 the
appeal of the war department the peopls
OF the United States made prompt anu anu
generous response In adaiti6a Ion var 70 dee de.
partment has expended for the rellet OF
the distressed 1892 2i2. .65, which does not
include the cost of the transportation.
Government of the Islands.
IT is desirable that the government OF
the island under the law OF DellBereht
right now maintained through the GA,
ecutive department, should be superseded
by an administration entirely elvll III us
nature. For present purposes recon-
mend that congress pass law loi tiie
organization of a temporary government
which shall provide for the appointment,
by the president, subject to confirmation
by the senate, of a governor ana sncn
other officers as the general administrd-
ton of the island may require, and that
for legislative purposes on subjects OF q
local nature, not partaking OF fedefai
character legislative council, composed
partly of Porto Ricans and partly of citt-
zens of the United States shall be noml-
mated and appointed by the president
subject to confirmation by the senate thelr
acts to be subject to the approval OF the
congress or the president, prior to go
ing into effect.
For Municipalities.
In the municipalities and otherlocal sub
divisions | recommend that the principle
of local self-government be applied at
once so as to enable the intelligent ely
zens of the island to participate in their
own government, and to learn by praeti-
cal experience the duties and require
ments of Il self-contained and a selt-SoV-
erning people. l have not thought 1t wise
to commit the entire government OF tie
island to officers selected by the people,
because ! doubt whether in habits, train
ing and experience they are such as TO nj
them to exercise at once so large de-
gree of government, but 1t is my
judgment and expectation that they will
soon arrive at an attainment of expert
ence and wisdom and self-control that
will justify comforting upon them much
larger participation in the choice of their
fnSulaT officers
The Fundamental Requirement.
The fundamental requirement for these
people, as for all people, is education, The
free school house is the best preceptOr
for citizenship. In the Introduction Of
modern educational methods care, how
ever must be exercised that exchanges
be not be made too abruptly, and that the
history and racial peculiarities of the IN
Guarantees should he Upheld.
and submission to the lawfully-constitut-
ed judicial tribunals are imbedded in the
hearts of our people and any violation of
these sentiments and disregard of their
obligations justly arouses public con-
demnation. The guarantees of life, llber-
ty and of civil rights should be faithfully
upheld; the right of trial by jury respect
ed and defended.
Those who in dSrapard Of Ia nd q
public peace, unwilling to await the judg-
ment of court and jury constitute them
selves judges and exeeutioners should
not escape the severest penalties for their
crimes.
Former Words Repeated.
What I said in my inaugural address of
March 4, 1887. | now repeat:
THE constitutional authorities be cheer
fully and vigorously upheld. Lynchings
must not be tolerated in a great and civ
iliZed country like the United States,
courts, not mobs, must execute the penal-
ties of the law. The preservation of pub
lie order, the right of discussion, the in
tegrity of courts, and the orderly adminis-
tration of justice must continue forever
the rock of safety upon which our gov
ernment securely rests"
The 1900 Celebration.
In accordance with the act of congress
providing for an appropriate national cell
ebration in the year 1900 of the establish
District Of Columbia | have appointed a
committee consisting of the governors of
al the states and territories of the United
States who have been invited to assemble
in the city of Washington on the 2lst of
December, 1899, which, with the commit
tees of the congress and the District of
Columbia, are charged with the proper
conduct Of this celebration.
Proposed Memorial Bridge.
Congress, at its last session, appropriat-
nI - III ~. Il
of the army to continue the examination
OF the subject, and to make or secure de-
signs, calculations and estimates for a
memorial bridge from the most conven-
ground, or adjacent thereto, across the
Potomac river to the most convenient
point Of the Arlington estate property"
In accordance with the provisions of this
net the chief of engineers has selected
four eminent bridge engineers to submit
competitive designs for bridge combin-
ing the elements of strength and dura-
b!lity. and such architectural embellsh-
r1ent OF adornations as will fifty apply to
the dedication "a memorial to American
patriotism" The designs are now being
prepared by the secretary of war
The Classified Service.
The executive order of May 6, 1886 ex-
tending the limits of the CLASSIFIED service
brought within the operation of the civil
service not previously classified.
Some of the inclusions We're found
wholly Illogical and unsuited TO the work
of the several departments. The appica-
ton of .he rules to many of the places so
included was found TO result in friction
and embarrassment. After long and very
careful consideration 1t became evident to
the heads of the departments response
Bile for their efficiency, that in order to re-
move these difficulties and promote an
efficient and harmonious administration,
certain amendments were necessary.
These amendments were promulgated by
me in executive order dated May %, 1893.
Purpose of the Order.
The principal purpose of the order was
to except from competitive examination
certain places involving fiduciary respon-
sibilities or duties of a strictly confden-
tial. scientific or executive character,
which II was thought might better be
filled either by non-competitiVe examina-
tion, or in the discretion OF the appoint
ing officer, than by open competition
These places were comparatively few in
number. The order provides for the filling
of much larger number of places MAIN
ly III The outside service of the war de-
partment, by what is known as the regis
tration SYSTEM, under regulations To be
approved by the president, similar to those
which have produced such admirable re-
suits in the navy yard service.
Efficiency the Mnin object.
All Of the amendments had for their
main object a more efficient and satisfac-
tory administration of the system of ap-
pointments established by the civil serv-
ice law. The results attained show that
under their operations the public service
is relieved OF many Objectionable features
which heretofore subjected II to just crit
icism: and the administrative officers to
the charge OF InhuslnesslilIe methods in
the conduct of putlic affairs 1t is be-
lieved that the merit system has been
greatly strengthened, and its pernanence
assured. 1t will be my constant aim In
the administration of government in our
new possessions to make fitness, char
acter and merit essential 10 appointment
to office, and to give to the capable and
deserving inhabitants preference in APP
poirtmcnts.
WashingtOn's Death Centennial,