The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-06
LAWS FOR PORTO RICO.
Time is Ripe for Territorial Form
of Government.


1 recommend that legislation to the
same end be had with reference to the
government of Porto Rico. The time
is ripe for the adoption CT temporary
form of government for this island; and
many suggestions made with reference
to Alaska are applicable also to Porto
Rico.
The system of civil Jurisprudence
now adopted by the people of this is
land is described by competent lawyers
who are familiar with it. as thoroughly
modern and scientific. so far as it re-
lates to matters of internal business.
trade, production and social and private
right in general. The cities of the is
land are governed under charters which
probably require very little or no
change. So that with relation to mat
tiers Of local concern and private right,
it is not probable that much if any leg
islation is desirable.
But with reference to public admin
istration and the relations of the is
lands to the federal government there
are many matters which are of press
ing urgency The same necessity ex-
lists for legislation on the part of con-
gress to establish federal courts and
federal jurisdiction in the islands as
has been previously pointed out by me
Subjects to Be Considered.
Besides the administration of justice,
there are subjects of public lands: the
control and Improvement of rivers and
harbors; the control of the waters or
streams not navigable, which, under
the Spanish law. belonged to the crown
OF Spain. and have by the treaty of ces-
sion 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 mOne-r; the establishment Of
postoffices and>post roads; the regula-
ton CT tariff rates on merchandise i'm
ported from the islands into the United
States; the establishment of ports of
entry and delivery: the regulation of
patents and copyrights; these. with va
rious other subjects which rest entirely
within the power OF the congress. call
for careful consideration and inlme-
date action.
1t must be borne in mind that since
the cession Porto Rico has been de-
MED the principal markets she had long
enjoyed and our tariffs have been con-
tinued agains<, ner products as when
she was under Spanish sovereignty.
Markets Are Wanted.
The markets of Spain are closed to
her products except upon terms to
which the commerce of all nations is
subjected. The Island Of Cuba, which
used to bu.r her cattle and tobacco
without customs duties, now imposes
the same duties upon these products as
from any other country entering her
ports. She has therefore lest in her free
intercourse with Spain and Cuba with
out any compenzating benefits in this
market. Her coffee was little known
and not in use by our people and there
fore there was no demand here for this,
enc of her chief products.
The markets 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.
Sufferings of People.
As a result of the hurricane which
swept over Porto Rico on the 18th of
August, 1899, over 100000 people were
reduced to absolute restitution, with
out homes, and deprived of the neces-
saries of life. To the appeal of the war
department the people of the United
States made prompt and generous re-
Sponss. In addition to the private char
ity Of our people, the war department
has expended for the relief of the dis
tressed $685.. SO. which does not in
clude the cost of transportation.
1t is desirable that the government
of the island under the law of belliger-
ent rivht now maintained through the
executive department. should be super
seized by an administration entirely
civil in its nature. For present purpos-
es; I recommend that congress pass n
law for the organization of temporary
government, which shall provide for
the appointment by the president, sub
ject to confirmation by the senate, of
governor and such other officers as
the general administration of the ISL
and MAJ require and that for legisaa-
tive purposes on subjects of a local ma
ture not partaking of federal charac-
ter. a legislative council. composed
partly of Porto Ricans and partly of
citizens of the United States, shall be
nominated and appointed by the pres
ident, subject TO confirmation by the
senate, their acts to be subject to. the
approval of the congress or the presi-
dent prior to going into effect.
Local Self government.
In the municipalities and other sub
divisions l recommend that the prin-
ciple of local self-governmeIxt be ap-
piled at once, so as to enable the intel
ligent citizens of the island to -partici-
pate in their own government and to
learn by practical experience the duties