Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-12-14

closed % her products except upon terms
% which the commerce Of oil nations Is
subjucted. The island Of Cuba, which
| used 30 buy her cattle andtobacco without
I customs duties now imposes the same
duties upon these products as frsn any
other country entering her ports. She
has, therefore lost her free intercourse
with Spain and Cuba without any COM
pensating benefits in this market. Her
coffee wa little known and not Ia uao by
our people and therefore there was no do
mnnd here for Il, \ Of hof chief pro
ducts. The markets Of the United States
should Be- opened up to her products. Our
plain duty Is 70 abolish all customs tariffs
between the United States and Porto
Rico and give her products free acceas 70
our markets.
As a result Of tho hurricane which
swept over Porto Rioo on Tho Sth Of Au-
gust 1892, over 10000 people were reduced
10 absolute destftuti0n, without homes
and deprived OF the nocossarlos Of life. To
the appeal Of the war department tho peo-
pie Of The United States made prompt and
generous response. In addition to the
private charity Of our people the war do
paFtment has expended for tho relief Of
the distressed saoe, a4s.es, which does not
include the cost Of transportation.
Fasers installation Of Civil Government.
II S desirable that tho government Of
the islands under the law Of bslliyeienf
right, now maintained through tho ex-
euutive department.. should DO superseded
by an administration ensirely civil In its
nature. For present purposes I recon-
mend that congress pass q law for the or
ganization Of q temporary government
which shall provide for tho appointment
by the president, subject 10 confirmation
by the senate, Of a governor and such
other officers as the general ndmipistra-
ton of tho island may require, and that
for legislative purposes on subjects Of q
local nature not partaking Of a federal
character a legislative council, composed
partly Ct Porto Ricans and partly Of citi-
gems Of the United States, shall be nomi-
mated and appointed BY the president,
subject 20 confirmation by the senate,
their acts being subject TO the approval Of
the congress or the president prior 10
going into effect. In the municipalities
and other local subdivisions 1t Is recon-
manded that the principle Of local
self-government be applied at once,
so as to enable the Intelligent
citizens Of the island TO participate in
their WI government and TO learn by
practical experience the duties and TO
quirements Of a self-contained and q self
governing people. I have not thought IL
wise to commit the entire government of
the island to officers selected BY the peo-
pie, because l doubt that their habits,
their training and experience are snoh as
to fit them to exercise at once SO large q
degree Of self-government, but Il is my
Judgment and expectation that they viii
soon arrive at an attachments Of expert
ence and wisdom and self-consroi that
VIII justify comforting upon them a much
larger participation in the choice of their
insular officers.
The fundamental principle for these
people, as for all other people, Is educa-
ton. The free school house Is the best
precept0r for free citizenship. In the in
Production Of modern educational meth
DDS, care, however, must DO exercised
that changes BIO not made too abruptly
and that tho history and racial peculiar
tiles of the inhabitants shall be given due
weight. Systems of education In these
new possessions, founded upon common
sense methods, adapted 70 existing condi-
tions and looking TO thofuturo movement
and industrial advancement Of the peo- /
PILE viii commendto them in q pecrllarly |
elective manner the blessings Of free
government.
Civil Service Amendments.
The executive order of May Q, 1898, OK
tending the limits Of the classified service, |
brought within the operation Of ths civil
service law and rules nearly all Of the civil
service places not previously classified.
Some Of the inclusions were found wholly
and unsuited 10 the work Of tho
several departments. The application Of
the rules TO many OF the places SO included
was found 10 result in friction and embar-
rassment. After long and ycry careful
consideration IL became evident 20 the
heads Of the departments, responsible for
thelr efficiency, that In order 10 remoyo
these difficulties amendments were noces.
These amendments wero promul.
gnted by mo In order dated March 90,
1899. Tho principal purpose Of tho
order was 10 except from oompoti-
tive examination certain places In
tlducinry responsibilities or
duties Of q strictly confidential, scientific,
executive character which 10 was
thought might better DO filed either By
non competitive examination, or In the
discretion OF the appointing officer, than
by open competition. These places were
comparatively few In number. Tho order
provides for the filling of q much larger
number Of places, mainly In the outside
service Of the war department, by what
Is known as the registration system,
under regulations to be approved By the
president, similar to those which have
produced such admirable results In the
navy yard service. All Of the amend
ments had for their main object . more
and satisfactory administration
Of the appointments established By the
civil service law. The results attained
show that under their operation the pub
lie service has improved and that the civil
service system Is relieved o. many objec-
tionable features which heretofcre sub
ieoted 1t to Just criticism and the admin
l~strative officers to the charge Of unbpst
nesslike methods in the conduct Of public
Affairs. As It Is the merit system has bean
strengthened and its permansnco
10 will be my constant aim in
The administration Of government Ia our
new possessions to make fitness, character
and merit essential to appointment 10 Of
Gee and to give TO the capable and deserv-
Ing Inhabitants preference In appoint
The 14th Of December will be tho 1o0th
anniversary Of the death Of Washington.
| have been glad to learn that in many
parts Of the country the people will fit
singly observe this historic anniversary.
In ooneiusion.
Presented TO this congress are great op-
portunities. With them comes great 70
possibilities. The power conided to US
Increases the weight Of our obligations TO
The people, and we must be profoundly
Of them as we contemplate the
and grave problems which confront
~. Aiming only at the public good, we
err. A right Interpretation Of the
will and Of duty cannot fail 20 In
sure wise measures for the welfare Of the
which have come under the au-
Of the United States and insure 70
he island tho honor Of this country.
Never has this nation had more abundant
than during the past year for thank
illness 70 God for manifold blessings and
~nercies. for which we make reverons no.
znowledgment.. WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
-. n aana L