The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-06

me with reference to Hawaii. BesIdes
the administration Of justice, there Are
the subjects Of the public lands; the
control and improvement OF rivers and
harbors; the control OF the waters or
streams not navlgable, which, under
the Spanish law. belonged TO the crown
OF Spain, and have by the treaty of
cesslon passed to the United States;
the immigration OF people from foreign
countries; the Importation of contract
labor: the imposition and collection OF
internal revenue: the application of
the navigation laws; the regulation Of
the current money; the establishment
Of pOstOflceB and postroads: the regu-
latlon OF tariff rates on merchandise
imported from the island into the Uni
ted States; the establishment OF ports
Of entry and delivery; the regulation of
patents and copyrights; these. with
various other subjects which rest an
tIrely within the power Of the Con-
gress, call for careful consideration and
immediate action. ~
II must be borne In mind that since
the cesslOn Porto Rico has been denied
the principal markets 'Hhe had long en-
toyed and our tariffs have been con.
tlnued against her products, as when
she was under Spanish sovereignty.
The markets Of Spain are closed to her
products except upon terms to which
the commerce Of all nations Is subject
ed. The island Of Cuba, which used
to buy her cattle and tobacco without
customs duties, now imposes the same
duties upon these products Us from
any other country entering her ports
She has, therefore. lost her free inter
course with Spain and Cuba without
any compromising benefits IN this mar
L NJ 4
not in use by our people. and therefore,
there was no demand here for this,
one Of her CHIEF products. The mar
kCts Of the United States should be
opened up to her products. Our plain
duty Is to abolish all customs tariffs
between the United States and Porto
Rico and give her products free access
to our markets.
Az q result of the hurricane which
swept over Porto Rico on the Sth of
August, 1880. over 100000 people were
reduced to absolute destitutIon, without
homes, and deprived OF the neCessRries
of life. To the appeal Of the war de-
partment the people OF the United
Spouse. In addition to the private
charity Of our people. the war depart
ment has expended for the relief Of the
distressed SS92,342 63. which does not
include the cost OF transportation.
It is desirable that the government OF
the island under the law OF belligerent
right, now maintained through the eX-
ecutive department, should be super
seeded by an administration entirely
civil In It's nature. For present pur-
poses recommend that Congress pass
law for the organization OF a tempo
rary government, which shall provide
for the appointment by the President,
subject to confirmation by the senate,
OF governor and such other officers as
the general administration OF the island
may require, and that for legislative
purposes on subjects Of local nature
not partaking Of u federal character, a
legislative council, composed partly Of
Porto RiCans and partly Of citizens of
the United States, shall be nominated
and appointed by the President. sub
iect to confirmation by the senate, their
acts to be subject to the approval Of
the Congress or the President prior to
going into effect.
Local Self Government.
In the municipalities and other local
subdivisions, l recommend 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 own government
and to learn by practical experience the
duties and requirements Of a self.con-
tanned and a self-governlng people.
have not thought It wise to commit the
entire government OF the island to Of
ficers selected by the people, because
doubt whether in habits, training and
experience, they are such as to At them
to exercise at once so large degree Of
f-government, but 1t Is my judy
ment 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 for
these people, as for all people. is edu-
cation. The free schoolhouse Is the best
preceptor for citizenship. In the intro
duction Of modern educational meth
DDS care. however, must be exercised
that changes be not made too abruptly
and that the history and racial pecul-
Iarlties OF the Inhabitants shall be
given due weight Systems OF educa-
tlon in these new possessions founded
upon commor-sense methods. adapted
to existing conditions and looking to
the future movement ana lUuuSlIIdl du-
VanceIpent OF the people, will commend
to them in a peculiarly effective man
ner the blessings OF free government,
The love OF law and the sense of
obedience and submission to the law
fully constituted judicial tribunals are
embedded In the hearts OF our people,
and any violation Of these sentiments
and disregard OF their obligations just
Is arouses public condemnation. The
guarantees OF life, liberty. and OF civil
rights should be faithfully upheld: the
right Of trial by jury respected aud de.
Tended The rule of the courts should
assure the public Of the prompt trial OF
those charged with criminal offenses.
and upon conviction the punishment
should be commemorate with the enor-
nifty OF the crime.
Those who. In disregard OF law and
the public peace. unwilling to await the
Judgment Of court and Jury, constitute
themselves Judges and eXecutionerS
should not escape the severest penalties
for their crimes.
What said In my inaugural address
OF March J. 1897 now repent;
"'The constitution authorities be
cheerfully and vigorously upheld.
I.ynchIngs must not be tolerated In a
great and civilized country Ike the
TgpJtnd St1tas Cnurta mot mObg, must