The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-12-14


duties upon these products as from any
other country entering her ports. She
has. therefore lost her free intercourse
with Spain and Cuba without any COM
pensating benefits in this market. Her
coffee was little known and not in use by
our people, and therefore there WINS no de-
mand here for 1t, one Of her chief pro-
ducts. 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.
AS result of the hurricane which
swept over Porto Rico on the 9Th of Au>
gust 1899, over 100, 600 people were reduced
to absolute restitution, without homes
and deprived of the necessaries of life. To
the appeal of the war department. the peo-
pie 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 $780,, 342 SO, which does not
include the cost of transportation.
Favors Installation of Civil Government.
1t is desirable that the government of
the islands under the law of belligerent
right, now maintained through the OK
scutivo department., should be superseded
by an administration entirely civil In It's
nature. For present purposes l recon-
mend that congress pass law for the or
ganization Of temporary government
which shall provide for the appointments
by the president, subject to confirmation
by the senate, of a governor and such
ouher officers as the general administra-
ton of the island may require, and that
for legislative purposes on subjects OF q
local nature not partaking OF federal
character a legislative council composed
partly of Porto Rlcans and partly of citi-
zons of the United States, shall be nomi-
mated and appointed by the president,
subject to confirmation by the senate,
their acts, being subject to the approval of
the congress or tho president prior to
| going into effect In the municipalities
| and other local subdivisions 1t Ia recon-
monded that the principle of local
self-government be applied at once,
SO rs to enable the Intelligent
citizens Of the island to participate in
their own government and to learn by
practical experience tho duties and re-
quirements OF self-contained and = self
governing people. 1 have not thought 10
wise to commit the entire government of
the island to officers selected by the peO-
pie, be,auss L doubt that their habits,
their training and experience are such as
to fit them to exercise at once SO large
degree of solf-government, but 1t is my
Judgment all expectation that they will
soon arrive as an attainment OF expert
ence and wis 'om and self-control that
will justify comforting upon them u much
larger participation in the choice of their
, insular officers.
The fundamental principle for these
| people, as for all other people, Is educR-
| ton. The free school house Is the best
l preceptor TO- free citizenship. In the In
production o modern educational mp
, DDS, care, however, must be exerQ 1
7 that changes be not made too abr
: and that tbs history and racial pecu. n
: tiles of the ihabitants shall be given due
r weight. Sy stems OF education in those
new possessions, founded upon -5omWor
sense methods, adapted to existing condl !
I tions and looking to the future movement
l and industrial advancement of the pee
pie, will com mend to them in a peculiarly
! effective manner the blessings of FREQ
: go ernment.
, Civil Service Amendments.
The executive order of Nay 6, 1895, Q
! tending the limits of the classified servi
@ brought within the operation of the oil
y service law and rules nearly all of the CT
1t service places not previously clas~
= Some of the inclusons were found Wholly
Is illogical, and unsuited to the work of the
2 several departments. The application of
r the rules to many of the plsg IS so included
+ was found to result in fric /LA and embar.
u rassment. After long and very careful
q consideration it became evident to tn
y heads of the departments, responsible f0s
l. their efficiency, that in order to remov
u these difficulties amendments were hece
D. sary These amendments were promu
Vt gated by me in order dated March 81
20 1899. The principal purpose Of the
~ order was to except from competf
n tive examination certain places Id
Il volving fduciary responsibilities
1t duties Of a strictly confidential, scientifes
IL or executive character which it va
thought might better be filled either b!
non competitive examination, or In
discretion of the appointing officer, Il s
nc by open competition. These plapes W
le comparatively few in number. III
is provides for the filling of much
n number of places, mainly In tn
ly service of the war department.,
IS is known as the registration
under regulations to be approx
w president, similar to those WI
e. produced such admirable resi-
IT, navy yard service. All Of I
I'd ments had for their main OBJ
of efficient and satisfactorys<adI
Id of the appointments O.
civil service law. Tie results attaine
al show that under their operation the pull
re lie service has improved and that the civ
th service system is relieved Of many OF
IN tionable features which heretofore
lie jectcd it to just criticism and the adj
3; istrative officers to the charge Of unb
a. nesslike methods in the conduct of pub
he affairs. AS it is the merit system has be
It greatly strengthened and its permanen
he assured. 1t will be my constant aim
IS the administration of government In
i'd new possessions to make fitness, charnct
ne and merit essential to appointment to o
he flee and to give to the capable and deser
he ing inhabitants preference In apboip
nd ments.
he The 14th of December Wilt