The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-06-03
READY FOR
AMERICAN RULE
8s Hk
Porto Ricsns viii Gladly Accept
American institutions Soon
II Be Established.
REPORT OF COMMISSION
Marriage snd Divorce Laws VIII Be
Remedied and PBbi;e School
System Introduces.

WASHINGTON. June Z--Tne lnsu.ar
commission appointed by he war depari-
iDent 20 Investigate affairs Of Porto Rlco
ana repori upon all matters relating TO
currency. laws. taxation. judiciary pub
lie improvements. education and ciyil
affairs generally has made a unanimous
report 70 7he secretary Of war
The commigslonsrs say that an classes
and conditions u ghe Porto Rican popu-
alton arc ready ana willing 70 accept
American institutions and 70 be content
with them. and IN general they recon-
mend the establishment Of such laws.
general, district and municipal. AZ Will
give 10 the people Of Porto Rico sub
stanually the same protection and the
same laws which are now enjoyed by
the people Of the United States.
The report discusses the financial condi-
ton of The country and says that It very
largely the Ouigrowth of Spanish lnst'
tutlons. The currency amounts 10 about
sii $1,000. a larger sum than was In cir-
cIlaiion prior TO American occuapncy.
The report recommends that the Spanish
bank bills be redeemed and that the bank
be no longer permitted 10 Issue currency.
II also recommends that as soon as pos
slble the Porto Rlean money, which Is
now IN circulation, be suppiamed by
United States currency and tha; the ex-
change be made at the expense OF Porto
Rico.
The commission considers at some
length he question Of concessions and
franchises. and recommends such gen
.rous settlement Of the financial ques-
ZION as win give 10 Porto Rico every
opportunity for advancement and i'm
proyement and encourage the investment
Of moneys In the way OF building rail-
roads and other public improvements OF
all kinds. all to be regulated In such
manner as shall be to the best interest
Of th- people Of the island and all 10
be- under government control; all such
concessions TO be granted only after
proper advertisement In newspapers in
Porto Rico aud in the United States.
then sold TO the highest bidder AT public
sale. an 10 be subject 10 the control OF
the governments OF the Island, and al!
franchises 30 granted 20 be regulated
and directed for the beneii, OF the peo-
pie"
Il is advised that the marriage and d.
yorce laws OF the island be an once rene
died so as 10 make marriages compulsory
TO require a husband and wife. and those
now living together 20 make record OF
their cohabitation and legiiimizing all
such living together.
The report recommends the establish.
meni In the island OF the public school
system Of the United states.
Recommendation is made that there
shall be complete separation o: church
and state and all property.
Recommendation IS made for a thor
ough reform system OF the island, along
American lines The division OF the
country into districts similar to counties
In the states Of the United States is
suggested. The commissioners recognize
vested rights In the island and recom-
mend that they be protected. Another
American method referred % is that for
the recording OF deeds. the present sys-
TEN being cumbersome and expensive
Other recommendations are as follows:
Better postal facilities. the maintens
anca OF the postal and military telegraph
on the island as part Of the postal sys-
TEN: thar an early census OF the people
be taken.