The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1899-04-01
ADOPT AMERICAN IDEAS
PUERTO RICANs ORGANIZE a NEW
POLITICAL PARTY.
They Declare Loyalty to the United
States and Adopt q Strong
Platform.

Correspondence of the Associated PreSS.]
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March pa
new political party has been born-thc
Republican party of Puerto Rico.
Though the party was originated by the
radicals under its leadership Of Manuel
Rosy, it has for its object the combina-
tion of all political elements on this is
land and they have all agreed upon a
platform, which is pronounced to be
faultless In it's Americanism. The plat
form in part is as follows: E--..
"That 1t is the highest duty Of every
citizen to uphold the integrity of the
we pledge ourselves as men, animated by
common cause, aiming at common
object, to do all in our power for our gov
erDment. We endorse and commend the
able, patriotic and true American spirit
manifesteds by Hon. William Mckinley,
president Of the United States, in releas-
ing us from the misrule of Spain, and we
pledge our falthfulness to adhere to tho
pr inciples of our new country and have
for our aim harmony, unity and good gov
eminent, relying with confidence upon the
hope of a speedy settlement of our na-
tional affairs.
eve declare our sincere loyalty to the
American flag and American ideas, ana
hereby pledge ourselves to strive to be-
come worthy of the great nation of which
we rae now a part. >4-
1--WE hail with pride our annexation 10
the United States. We believe the people
Of Puerto Rico could be trusted with the
civil government of the island, but as
tiat authority only emanateG from con-
gress of the United States it is but our
cuty to await their action, and while I'M
der military government awaiting the ac-
ton of congress, We desire that all civil
offices be filled by men capable, efflcie 1T
and Of unquestionable loyalty to the gov
eminent of the United States and dis
POSED to act in the best interest of this
island and our. commerce without dis
tlnction, thereby presenting us an oppor.
turity for fitting ourselves for self gov
eminent with all the burdens and duties
1t entails and hasten the day when our
Island will have place among the states
of our union ...... .
Other planks declare in favor Of ucive:
sal suffrage, oppose the introduction inio
hte United States of foreign labor; ex.
press devotion to the liberty Of thought
conscience and speech, including the free
dom Of the press and deprecate any un
ion of church and state. Free schools
and the teaching of English are demand
ed. A change in the political system Of
taxation and free trade between Puerto
Rico and the United States are advocated.
The exchange of the provincial money for
money Of the United States is advocated
on a gold basis, GAS it is right and proper
that every dollar, paper or coin, issued by
the government be as good as any other"
tom of courts is favored.
The platform concludes thus:
I'VE congratulate ourselves and our
country on being under the protection of
the American flag; the recognized emblem
of liberty, and will lend every effort to
advance civilization, to teach loyalty to
love American institutions and honor
Washington Lincoln and Mckinley,
whose names are household words in the
land"
II is said by the organizers of this party
that the name "Republcan'' is used in its
general sense and has no relation to the
party of that name in the United States.
It is understood that Gen. Henry is Ii:
entire accord with the establishment of a.
new American party.