The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-01
NEW AMERICAN PARTY
Has Been Organized by Radicals
in Porto Rico.
ROSSEY IS THE LEADER
Loyalty to the American Flag and to
American Ideas-A Demand for
free Trade With the
United States

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
San Juan de Porto Rico, March o.
The new political party has been born
1.-The republican party of Porto Rico
Though the party was organized by the
radicals, under the leadership of Manuel
Rossey, it has for it's object the associ-
alton of all political elements on this
island, and they have agreed upon a
platform which is pronounced to be
faultless in it's Americanism. The plat
form, in part, is as follows:
THAT it is the highest duty of every
citizen to uphold the integrity of the
country and the laws of the land. That
we pledge ourselves as men, animated
by common cause, aiming at COM
mon object, to do all in our power for
our government. We indorse and COM
mend the able patriot and true American
spirit manifested by Hon. William Nc
Kinley, president of the United States,
in releasing US from the misrule Of
Spain, and we pledge our faithfulness to
adhere to the new principles Of our new
country, and have for our aim har-
mony, unity and good government, re-
lying with confidence upon the hope Of
speedy settlement of our national at
fairs.
1.-The name of our party shall be The
Republican Party of Porto Rico
I'VE declare our sincere loyalty to the
American flag and American ideas, and
hereby pledge ourselves to strive to be-
come worthy of the great nation or
which we are now part.
1--WE hail with pride our annexation
to the United States.
1--WE believe the people of Porto Rico
could be trusted with the civil govern
ment of the island, but as that author
ity only emanates from the congress Of
the United States, it is but our duty to
wait their action, and while under mill
tary government awaiting action by
congress- we desire that all civil offices
should be filled by men capable, honest
and of unquestionable loyalty to the
government of the United States, and
disposed to act sngly for the best in
terest of this island and our common
country without distinction, thereby
affording us an opportunity to demon
strate our fitness for self government
with all the burdens and responsible
ties which it entails, and which will
hasten the day when our island will
have place among the states of our
union"
succeeding p1dHhS uecldFe III ldFOT VI
a universal suffrage; oppose the intro
duction into the island of foreign labor;
express devotion to liberty of thought,
conscience and speech, including the
freedom of the press and deprecate
any union Of church and state. Free
schools and the teaching of English are
demanded. change in the present
system of taxation and free trade be-
tween Porto Rico and the United States
are advocated. The exchange of the
provincial money for money of the
United States is advocated on a gold
basis; las it is right and proper that
every dollar or coin issued by the gov
eminent be as good as any other" The
establishment of an American system
of courts Is favored.
The platform concludes thus:
We congratulate ourselves and our
country on being under the protection
of the American flag, the recognized
emblem of liberty, and shall lend every
effort to advance civilization, to teach
loyalty, to love American institutions
and honor Washington. Lincoln and