Iron County register., 1899-12-14

products. The markets of the United
States should be opened to her products.
! tariffs between the United States and Por-
! to Rico, end give her products free ac-
! cess to our markets
/ The Porto fkican Hurricane.
| AS result of the hurricane which swept
over Porte Rico on the Sth of August, 1892.
| over 100000 people were reduced to abso-
| lutte destitution, without homes and de-
| prived of the necessaries of life. To the
appeal of the war department the people
| of the United States made prompt and
| generous response. In addition to the
| private charity of our people, the war de-
partment has expended for the relief of
| the distressed $S92, 242 .6S, which does not
| include the cost of the transportation.
Government of the Islands.
1t is desirable that the government OF
the island, under the law of belligerenr
right now maintained through the SX-
ecutive department, should be superseded
by an administration entirely civil in its
nature For present purposes / recon-
mend that congress pass law for the
organization of a temporary government
which shall provide for the appointment,
by the president, subject to confirmation
by the senate, of a governor and such
tion of the island may require, and that
for legislative purposes on subjects OF a
local nature, not partaking of federal
character, a legislative council. composed
partly of Porto Ricans and partly of citi-
zenS of the United States shall be nomi-
mated and appointed by the president
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 other local sub
divisions 1 recommend that the principle
of local self-government be applied at
once SO as to enable the inteilgent cit
own government, and to learn by practt-
cal experience the duties and require
mentS of a self-contained and a Self-goy-
erning people. 1 have not thought it wise
to commit the entire government of the
island to officers selected by the people,
because l doubt whether in habits, train
ing and experience they are such as to fit
them to exercise at once so large a de-
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 a much
larger participation in the choice of their
insular 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
habitants shall be given due weight.
Guarantees Should be 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, Eber-
upheld; the right of trial by Jury respect
ed and defended.
Those who in disregard of law and the
public peace, unwilling to await the judg-
ment of court and jury constitute them
selves judges and executioners should
not escape the SeVereSt penalties for their
crimes.
Former Words Repeated.
What said in my inaugural address of
March 4. 1897. l 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-
tratioa of justice must continNe forever
the rock of safety upon which our gov
ernmcnt securely rests
The 1900 Celebration.
In accordance with the act of congress
ebration in the year 1900 of the establish
ment of the seat of government in the
comnlttee 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 21st of
December, 1899, which, with the commit
tees OF the congress and the District of
Columbia, are charged with the proper
Proposed Memorial Bridge.
Congress- at it's last session, appropriat-
ed 5000 Ito enable the chief of engineers
of the army to continue the eXamina ton
of the subject, and to make or secure de-
signs, calculations and estimates for a
memorial bridge from the most conven-
lent POINT of the naval observatory
ground, adjacent thereto, across the
Potomac river to the most convenient
point Of the Arlington estate property"
In accordance with the provisions of this
lit II, .%Nxl
four eminent bridge engineers to submit
competitive designs for bridge con1bin-
ing the elements of strength and dura-
b;lity. and such architectural embellish-
r1ent OF adorna+ions as Will fitly 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 Nay 6, 1896. ex-
tending the limits of the c,dssined service
brought within the operation of the civil
service not previously classified.
SolCe of the inclusicns were found
wholly illogical and unsuited to the work
Of the several departments. The applica-
included was found to result in friction
and embarrassment After long and very
careful consideration it became evident to
Ihe heads of the departments RESPONSE
BILE for their efficiency, that in order to re-
move these difficulties and promote an
certain amendments were necessary.
These amendments were promulgated by
me in executive order dated May ~, 1899.
Purpose of the Order.
The principal purpose of the order was
to except fror, competitive examination
certain places involving hduciary respon-
sibilities or duties of strictly eorfiden-
which 1t was thought might better be
filled either by non-competitive examina-
ton, in the discretion of the appoint
these places Were comparatively few in
number. The order provides for the filling
of a much larger number of places, main
ly in 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 III the navy yard service
Efficiency the Main object.
All of the amendments had for their
main object a more efficient and satisfac-
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 it to just crit
icism; and the administrative officers to
the charge OF anhusinessli:ze methods in
the conduct Of putiic affairs. 1t is be-
lieved that the merit system mas Deen
greatly strengthened, and its permanence
the administration of government z in our
new possessions to make fitness, char-
acter and nleris essential TO appoint,nent
to office, and to give 10 tae capable ana
deserving inhabitants preference in ap-
poirtments-
WashinStOn's Death Centennial.
The lslh of December will be the one
hundreth anniversary of the death or
Washington. FOR hundred years the re-
public has had the priceless advantage or
The lefty standard of character and con-
duct which he pequeathed to the Ameri-
can people. Il is an mherit1nce which
time instead of wasting, continually H.
creases and enTiches. We may justly hope
that in the years to come the benginant
infi1Ience of the Father of His Country may
be even more potent for good than in the
l. a, oil.