Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1899-02-04
AFFAIRS N PORTO RICO.
The Natives Take No Pains to
Conceal Their Dislike for
Military Rule.
YIT MAKE NO SHOW OF RESISTANCE.
Gen. Henry Takes Their Side OF n Com
troversy and Revokes AN Order Issued
by Gen. Fred Grant-Important Lester
Written by Senior Munoz Rivera Free
Trade and More Active Union.


Written by Senior Munox Rivera Free
Trade and More Active Union.
San Juan de Porto Rico, Jan. f..1-
Although the Porto Ricans do not Of
fer the least resistance to the military
administration they make no secret
of the fact that they do not desire its
continuance. 1t is not that they object
to the Amcricanization Of the island.
but they earnestly wish for civil gov
ernment in some reasonable and prac-
ticable form. Under the old Spanish
regime. they will toll you, they en-.
joyed a higher degree of freedom than
they do now, although they seize with
enthusiasm every opportunity for put
ting themselves in touch with the in
stitutions and demands of the new
government, theyfeel pride in work
ing out their political salvation as
free people and not as subjugated
one. They love liberty, and the in
telligent element is convinced that un.
der civil administration the country
will swiftly adapt itself to the better
conditions offered by the United
States.
The Military Government.
The military government is thor.
ough and active. The whole island
is effectively patrolled, and quiet and
order prevails in every quarter But
the Porto Ricans sometimes complain
that the military authorities interfere
with the civil authorities without ade-
quatef reason. Quite frequently OF
late protests have been lodged at
headquarters against what the Porto
Ricans have described as intrusions
by United States officers in municipal
affairs, not falling within the scope of
their duties.
Unwarranted Military Dictation.
As already briefly cabled, the mayor
and city council of San Jaun remon-
strated last week--in fact almost re-
belled--at what they considered and
called an "unwarranted military die
tation."
An cnterprising Porto Rican, just
returned from the United States, has
obtained permission from the coun-
ell to place small business signs on
lamp posts around the plaza. The
signs were neat enough, but they of
Tended the sight of maSy of the Amer
leans, who complained to Gen. Fred
Grant, military commander of the dis
trict Of San Juan. Gen. Grant sent a
peremptory summons to the council
TO cancel the contract and to remove
the signs.
Porto Rican pride could not endure
this. The councillors regarded the or
der as a last straw, and rendered their
designations to Gov. Henry, the gov
ernor of Porto Rico. There was no
bad feelings. The councillors mere
ly said that they enjoyed 80 little
real authority they preferred to give
up their positions.
Gen. Henry Took Thsir View of tho Matter.
Gen, Henry, however, took their
view of the matter, and assured them
that there would be no further cause
for complaint on the score of military
coercion; and he promptly issued an
order directing the secretary of state
TO inform the alcades of towns that
"there is no authority for any officer
or soldier to enter council meetings
or to interfere with or dictate their
proceedings"
Patience and Good Nature.
Every suggestion of Gen. Henry has
been responded 10 with alacrity. and
as result there is marvellous change
in the order of things. Economics
have been effected in the various de-
partments, at the expense OF the army
of satellites and the formality dear to
the subjects of the kings The people
have accepted with good nature the
new sanitary regulations, although
these have wonderfully disturbed the
inclean and crowded tenements that
had been regarded with complacency,
and as a crowning test OF popular
patience, they put up with the postal
service, which is inexpressibly worse
than anything they We're ever subject
cd to before by the Spaniards.
Written by ssuov Mun"z Rivrr'.
An article recently appeared in FL
Liberal. the organ of the liberal
party, under the caption, Halt"
1t is known to have been written by
Senior Munoz Rivera. president of the
insular cabinet. 1t called the atten-
ton Of the military government in
eloquent terms to "the Incompatible
ty of the military rule with the de-
,clopment of the best interests OF the
country" The writer appealed to the
wisdom and fairness of the United
States government to treat Porto
Ricnns as docile citizens, and not as
prisoners"
The self-restraint and far-sighted-
ness that distinguish Rivera's appeal
will do more TO win converts to the
American spirit and the American sys-
tenn than the orders Of military conf
manders.
The Postal Service ID Unreliable to the Last
Degree.
il is next to impossible for any one
to transact business in this island, il
1t be necessary TO use the mails, for
they are unreliable to the last degree,
The letters mailed in the San Juan
post Office frequently do not reach
their destination in the island for ten
days, and a most irritating indiifer-
ence marks the proceedings OF the
local postal authorities.
The men Of Porto Rico are not re-
ligious. Only the women and children
attend church. Yet the church and its
orders have many pleasant associa-
tions for them.
Watch the Proceedings OF the American
Congress.
Great interest is taken in the action
OF congress and OF the government
at Washington regarding
Porto Rico. The new tariff is awaited
with much anxiety, interest being cen.
- AaI