The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-17
PORTO RICHN THXES.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
San Juan. Porto Rico, Dec. 31.-Dr.
Coll was installed as Secretary Of the
Treasury on November 16. Upon that
date the insular treasury held 76 cents
in copper, $3.50 in Venezuelan gold and
about 5000 in American bank bills. 1t
seems that II has been the custom in
Porto Rico to maintain what is called
a guarantee fund. This is a system of
deposits to guarantee the faithful per-
formance of both police and private
contracts. Amounts to be thus deposit
ed are regulated by certain laws and
receipts are issued to depositors by the
insular treasury for the monies thus
received. sums of monies in litigation
can also be attached and deposited in
this same fund until such time as the
Courts render Judgment concerning
their rightful ownership. When this
has been done the court issues an or
der upon the Treasury to pay back the
money according to the decision it has
reached.
DR.. Coll was greatly surprised TO find
the insular treasury in such a depleted
at least several hundred thousand dol
lars deposited on account with this
general guarantee fund and he at once
started an investigation to determine
what amount of money was missing.
From the various receipts issued by the
Treasury already seen by DR.. Coll, he
has learned that over three hundred
thousand pesos. about two hundred
hot, K,1 AL
fund. and it is probable that the full
amount which has been done away
with amounts to nearly five hundred
thousand pesos. His Investigations are
not as yet completed but he has no
doubt but that he will discover docu-
mentary evidence of deposits up to
this latter amount.
This money was taken to Spain; of
this no one has any doubt. 1t is gem
orally known that the late Captain
General Macias, of Porto Rico deliy-
cred to the Government at Madrid 81
600 pesos, and that the Brigader de
Marina Vallarina delivered to his gov
ernment $4,000 pesos which rightfully
belonged to Porto Rico and which were
drawn from this guarantee fund The
fund also contained 1900 pesos which
was the capital and total reserve of
school teachers pension fund. This
money was contributed by the teach
ers of Porto Rico and it is evident
it should have been left in their hands
that they in their old age and when en-
titled thereto, might enjoy the bene-
fits and advantages which are their
due. Macias took this $4,000 pesos to
Spain and it is understood that his ex-
cuse in this matter was that as tha
headquarters and main office of the
Protective Society of Spanish Teachers
was at Madrid and as the Porto Rican
branch was subjected to the rulings of
this main office, the money should be
returned there. No one believes the
teachers will ever benefit by their own
pension fund unless some definite and
decisive action is taken in their behalf.
DR.. Coll is collecting all the evidence
he can concerning the matters above
set down and when he has fully COM
pleted this labor he will submit a re-
port thereon to Major General Henry.
recommending that claim be made upon
the Madrid government for the resti-
tuition of these amounts.
During Spain's possession of Porto
Rico the Spanish bank of Porto Rico,
under contract to and protected by
this insular government, collected from
the people and paid over to the gov
ernment, all taxes and direct contribu-
tions. This contract with the Spanish
bank terminated upon October IS last
but 1t would seem upon investigation
that they are much i'm arrears with
certain payments; that there Is strong
evidence to show they have collected
taxes and contributions from the peo-
pie which they never turned over to
Spain. During the latter part OF
November, DR.. Coll forced this bank
to pay into the Treasury 10000 pesos
collected by them on account of taxes
and revenues from government lands
rented by individuals and II is his in
tentiOn TO force them to meet all their
obligations. This bank is today in the
position Of the steward who gives up
his keys OF office but who will not give
an accounting of the goods which
have passed through his hands.
ID
one OF the principal contributions
which have been abolished by the mill
tary authority in Porto Rico is known
locally as Derechos Roales, in Spanish
Royal Dues in English. There was
crown contribution on all transfers of
,all kinds of property. 1t ranged from
one half of one per cent. to three per
cent. Of the value of the property trans
ferred and It brought to the crown Of
Spain some lAS,OOO pesos year. Fur