The Monticellonian., 1899-02-03

ing out their political salvation as free people and not as a subiugated one. They love liberty, and the in. tellgent 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. quate 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 enterprising Porto Riean, just returned from the United States, has obtained permission from the coun- cil to place small business signs on lamp posts around the plaza. The signs were neat enough, but they of ( ho tnht of of ha jeans, who complained to Gen. Fred Grant. military compt-der of the dis trict of San Juan. zen. Grant sent peremptory summons to the council to cancel the contract and to remove the signs.
 Porto Rfean pride could not endure this. The councillors regarded the or der as a last straw. and rendered their resignations to Gov. Henry, the gov ernor of Porto Rico. There was no bad feelings. The councillors mere ly said that they enjoyed so little real authority they preferred to give up their positions.
 Gen. Henry Took Their View of tine 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 dircting 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 to with alacrity, and as a result there is marvellous change in the order of things. Economies 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 unclean and crowded tenements that had been regarded with complaeency, and as a crowning test of popular patience, they put up with the postal service, which is inexpressibly worse than anything they were ever subject ed to before by the Spaniards.
 Written by senor Munoz Rivera.
 An article recently appeared in Fl Liberal, the organ of the liberal party, under the caption, Halt"
 It is known to have been written by Senor Munoz Rivera, president of the insular cabinet. It called the atten- tion of the military government in eloquent terms to "the incompatibili- ty of the military rule with the de- Selopment of the best interests of the country" The writer appealed to the wisdom and fairness of the United States government to treat Porto Ricans 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 com handlers.
 The Postal Servlca is Unreliable to the Last
 Degree.
 It is next to impossible for any one to transact business in this island, if it 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 most irritating indiffer- 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 departments at Washington regarding Porto Rico. The new tariff is awaited with much anxiety, interest being cen tered upon the course of the United States regarding the admission of Porto Rican sugar and tobacco free of duty. It is eontended that if the duty should be taken off the island would not only be the most prosper ous in the tropics, but would speedily become a large source of revenue to the American government,