Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-22


ED THEM TO GO TO WORK, TO
ACQUIRE POULTRY AND STOCK,
AND REQUIRES WHOLESALE
MARRIAGES AMONG ADULTS
If LET ALONE. HE WILL Sc
CURE RESULTS.
NEW YORK, November 21.--A spe-
cial to the Tribune from Washington
says:
Governor Leary, of Guam, or "The
Isle of GUAM" as it is called on the Off
cial gubernatorial seal, is having novel
experiences for an American in an al
together unique community, but the in
frequency of communication with the
outside world permits little information
to reach Washington regarding this
innovation in colonial establishments.
Gov. Leary was always picturesque
character in the service, and his mis-
sion in the lonely and scarcely known
island was regarded by those who knew
him as singularly appropriate. 1t was
expected that an interesting experiment
in civilization would begin when he
assumed absolute control of the new
possession. and so it has turned out,
although the Navy Department for
some reason has refrained from per-
mitting the details of his reports to get
nj 9
are highly interesting and in some in
stances wholly unconventional is evil
dent from portions of one which has
just come to Washington. In this Gov.
Leary incloses two Of his recent orders
to the citizens Of the isle of Guam
which are unlike any other orders ever
issued by naval officer.
The report, which is dated October
18th, gives terse resume of affairs in
the Captains dominion since the last
mail. 1t shows that the islanders are
Unfortunately lazy, having acquired the
habits of their ancestors of raising only
such crops as will keep their bodies
and souls together, and that they cam
not be easily induced to value money
or exercise their earning power. With
a minimum Of exertion they are salts
fed if they do not starve. The whole
island is full of examples of neglected
opportunities which are so distasteful
to Americans.
The Governor has set out to bring the
people of Guam to realization of the
natural wealth of the island and to
make all under his jurisdiction as pro-
ductive as possible. He tells the Navy
Department that he does not want any
more marines sent to him, as he can
not provide food for them and does not
need them for his defense, as he has
nothing to fear from the natives. He
begs, however, for more officers to as
sist him in carrying out his plans for
improving the condition of the popua
lion.
He says he wants an ice machine,
none CT the water on the island being
of potable temperature. He has estab
lished the seat of government at Agana,
six miles from Port Louis D'Apra, and
over this distance his men have had
to haul all the materials for the build
ings they are erecting as well as all
supplies.
But the interesting part of the report
relates to the reforms begun, Of which
the governor says:
Having disposed Of the priests, rap
i'd progress will be made and no fur
Their resistance will be encountered.
He explains the two orders, which
were printed in English in the custom
airy official form of the first English
printing press in the islands and dis
tributed broadcast. The first of these
is calculated to compel each adult ma
tive to contribute to the support OF the
government by engaging in food pro-
Guction. This order was dated Octo-
Der 4th, and directs all who have no
trade to plant cereals, vegetables, etc.,
under more or less severe penalties. 1t
Is stipulated that each citizen shall
have at least TWELVE hens and one
SOW, and continue in possession of them
indefinitely. They must bring eggs,
chickens and vegetables to sell to the
governors house and to the barracks
at stated intervals, and they must pay
their taxes and discharge other indeDt-
edness.
The other order. issued September
18th, was more radical. 1t demands
that concubinage, which was general
all over the island, shall stop immedi-
ately. In this order Gov. Leary moral
ICES as follows to the natives.
''The existing custom of raising fam
lilies CT Legitimate children is repul-
sive to ideas of decency, antagonistic
to moral Advancement, incompatible with
the generally recognized customs of
civilized society, violation of the ac-
cepted principles of Christianity and
most degrading injustice to the inno-
cent offspring, who is not responsible
for the conditions of his unfortunate
existence"
The Governor, in conclusion, COM
manded immediate wedlock for the
whole adult population and made the
license and civil ceremony free until
November Sd. AS result the officers
in charge of licenses and marriages
were worked half to death until nearly
everybody on the island was legally
married. There was a rush to obey
the order and, in fact the people have
shown disposition to be obedient to
any suggestion from their Governor.
VICE PRESIDENT DIED