St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-12-06
HAWAII.

Concerning Hawaii. the message says:
It Is manifestly important that an act
shall be passed as speedily as possible
erecting these islands into a judicial
district, providing for the appointment
Of a judge and other proper officers, and
methods Of procedure in appellate pro-
ceedings, and that the government of
this newly acquired territory under the
federal constitution shall be fully de-
fined and provided for.
ALASKA.
A necessity for immediate legislative
relief exists in the territory of Alaska.
Substantially the only law providinga
civil government for this territory Is the
act Of May 7, 1884. This Is meagre in
its provisions, and Is fitted only for the
administration of affairs in country
sparsely inhabited by civilized people
and unmportant in trade and produce
ton, as was Alaska at the time this act
was passed. There Is no authority, eX-
cept in congress, TO pass any law, no mat
ter how trivial. I see no reason
why more complete form of territorial
organization should not be provided, en-
bodying a system of laws providing for
the Incorporation and government Of
| towns and cities having a certain popu-
| lation, giving them the power to estab-
| fish and maintain system of educa-
ton to be locally supported. and ord
inances providing for police, sanitary
and other purposes.
PORTO RICO.
I recommend that legislation to the
same end be had with reference to the
government Of Porto Rico. The time
is ripe for the adoption of temporary
form of government for this island. The
system of civil. Jurisprudence now
adopted by the people Of this island is
described by competent lawyers, who
are familiar with it, as thoroughly
modern and scientific, as far as it re-
lates to matters of internal business,
trade, production and social and pri-
vate rights in general. The cities Of the
island are governed under charters,
which probably require 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 administration and the rela-
tons Of the island to the federal govern
ment, there are many matters which are
of pressing urgency. Since the cession
Porto Rico has been denied the prin-
cipal markets she has long enjoyed, and
our tariffs have continued against
her products as when she was under
Spanish sovereignty.
The markets Of the United States
Our plain duty is to abolish all custom:
tariffs between the United States ant
Porto Rico, and give her products fret
access to our markets.
1t is desirable that the government
of the island under the law Of belligeren
right, now maintained through the de
partment of executive, should b
superseded by the administration en-
tirely civil in it's nature. For presen
purposes I recommend that congress
pass law for the organization of
J temporary government, which shall pro
vide for the appointment by the pres
ident, subject to confirmation by tn
senate, of a governor and such othe
, officers as the general administration {
the island require, and that for legis
, lative purposes, upon subjects of a locf
nature, not partaking Of a federi
character legislative council, com
=, posed partly of Porto Ricass and part
, ly of citizens of the United States, sha
be nominated and appointed by tn
+ president, subject to confirmation b
the senate, their acts to be subject to II
approval of the congress or the presider
= prior to going into effect. In the muni'